Virtual Private Network

One of the key objectives of Virtual

Private Network (VPN), an Intelligent Network (IN) service, for the mobile operator is to

keep a corporate customer’s internal and external communications within the network.

Airtime cost has been generally the major inhibiting factor for full adoption of mobile

communications across the company. VPN service can be the main driver for corporates to

achieve this cost-effectiveness.

VPN Advantages

In order to attract a corporate customer,

besides highlighting saving of investment in private network solutions like EPABX, the

operator has to devise a favourable tariffing policy offering cost savings in

communication expenses. There are a number of other specific advantages. SIZE="1">

• Private numbering plan:
  
  Numbering is customized and uniform throughout the company

• Control over user
  
  routing: Routing is determined for optimization of traffic

• Network management: The
  
  VPN configuration is customized to the individual’s needs and managed by the customer
  
  and/or the operator

• Extended functionality
  
  to small remote sites: Such sites are able to use all the features used in the main
  
  locations

• Greater flexibility:
  
  Customers can change the network configuration much more quickly than with private
  
  networks

• Centralized billing and
  
  departmental accounting.

Features Gallore for VPN COLOR="#000000">

Call

logging provides information on the call

behaviour of individuals or groups of users which can be used to evolve a strategy to

maximize communication efficiency.

alt="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/vnd/media/post_attachments/b57ac47ba97e96b6bb095100f300c187ad4e00fe9a80b84becd11f77dbfb68cc.gif (10154 bytes)" align="left" hspace="4" vspace="4" border="0"> SIZE="2">Call screening, of originating and terminating

calls, is performed to limit access to destination ranges (like international or premium

rate numbers) by IN-based on origin/destinations (white and black list), location,

identity (user profile), and time/date. However, a barred call is allowed if the user

pays.

alt="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/vnd/media/post_attachments/cc0776e558c07e025e2f319290ec2eae77790a2bfb745d1f444c5de63a0cb8e0.gif (9872 bytes)" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="4"> SIZE="2">Virtual private line, separate from professional

one, can be set up based on the time of the day (after 6 p.m. and during weekends),

destination (calls outside VPN), or other parameters can also include pre-paid option for

private use.

alt="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/vnd/media/post_attachments/5b0931a6e2913d5e34676353a7ff4d7f192a9b065acee29770df20704295a291.gif (8487 bytes)" align="left" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="4"> SIZE="2">Homezone: Operators can create pricing based on

the location of the mobile. As corporates are willing to pay a premium for mobility,

operators can offer pricing differentiation between on-site (called from within the

building) and off-site calls. A special pricing can also be offered within the home,

especially in the evening for private use.

alt="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/vnd/media/post_attachments/1d0b1f77034822ce0234437c99694b89bb3977b4e97c334e99b2b42bdec81d24.gif (10020 bytes)" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="4"> SIZE="2" face="Times New Roman">Unique number (with a unique voicemail) allows each

user a unique (dynamic) profile in the database. During call set-up and service execution,

the call is screened and routed to the destination specified by user in his profile. The

call is also analyzed by the IN to be charged as official or personal. The secrecy of the

mobile number allows the user full control over personal calls, i.e., reachability and

availability.

Packaging VPN: Different Strokes SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">

The introduction of VPN service by mobile

operator leverages considerably on the existing corporate packages. Even though the

operator has to offer better rates, the overall revenue increases due to increase in the

volume of subscriptions as well as the traffic per user due to enhanced features. SIZE="2">

Advanced service packages like VPN enable

to tailor services to the needs of different corporate segments—made possible by the

flexibility of IN in terms of:

• Networks: Seamless service over
  
  fixed, mobile, and private networks

• Segments: Tailoring the service
  
  to specific market segments

• Users: Service control by
  
  individual users.

alt="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/vnd/media/post_attachments/896c0876dd6bd56f890714751fa8b59c3b5a51f6908acc68ecb7e2c228e3a71f.gif (4887 bytes)" align="right" hspace="4" vspace="4"> face="Times New Roman">VPNs can be packaged according to a micro-segment within the

"corporate segment". For instance, for a corporate customer with a mobile

sales-force, a large part of the customer contact is often outside the office. Mobile

communications are therefore of major importance for contact with customers and with the

office. Control of incoming calls is important in order to filter low priority calls.

Keeping the mobile number "secret" avoids low priority calls in high priority

moments. To control costs, private calls can be separated.

Thus, a seamless and flexible VPN could be

packaged, depending on the needs of segment/microsegment, consisting of virtual private

line, unique number, unique voicemail, data and fax transmission, and direct link (with

say fixed lines or EPABX, if regulations allow).

For "personal segment" the

operator can devise "Friend & Family Package" with 10 to 20 users but with

features much more than closed user group.

The introduction of VPN in

mobile networks brings the advantages of IN solution in tailoring services to the needs of

the operators’ key corporate customers—for enhanced loyalty in a competitive

environment.