Anti?Spam Encryption Tool Launched on Sicap Gateway

Sicap alias management, an integrated component of the just–released version 4.30 of Sicap Mobile Multimedia Gateway (MMG), stops mobile subscriber numbers getting into the hands of senders of un–solicited messages by encrypting them as they transit the gateway. The output is a short–lived alias, of no future value for contacting the subscriber after serving its initial purpose of communicating an operator–approved message to the customer.

The alias eclipses the mobile number when operators open up their network messaging operations to third parties for legitimate mobile services such as sports news, share prices or traffic updates. Such application–to–person information feeds have previously exposed subscribers to inclusion in mailing databases. Because the subscriber number remains secret, aliasing effectively nips the possibility of sending out unsolicited messages in the bud.

By effectively denying access to end–user mobile numbers, the Sicap anti–spam solution goes beyond the simple content filter checks or message volume control solutions currently on offer. The obvious benefit for the operator is that customers are spared the nuisance factor spam messages cause and therefore limit the risk of customer churn. If proof of annoyance at spam were needed, recent research in the UK market by YouGov found that 28% of consumers blame their operator for unwanted communications and 44% would consider changing network because of mobile spam.

Dominique Schmid, CEO of Sicap said today that "alias management is a major step forward in protecting customers from unwanted spam. By deploying time–to–market features on an in–house Java–based framework, the Sicap gateway is paving the way for seamless delivery of controlled messages, so that mobile customers will trust and enjoy the latest services on offer".

Focused on improving customer satisfaction and loyalty for operators, Sicap Multimedia Mobile Gateway is a proven carrier–grade gateway which ensures secure and flexible revenue–sharing schemes, and to which third parties can rapidly connect their applications or services. In addition to alias management, the new version also features number portability management for efficient message routing. Recognition of the home network is now achieved by deploying the Sicap database in the gateway. The gateway manages all message processing from applications (MT messages), so that messages are identified and processed on the appropriate SMS–C. The result is a considerable reduction in broker costs for message handling. Since inception, the Sicap gateway has routed and dispatched messages in over 60 Sicap software platforms installed in operator networks around the World. With the latest announcement on alias management, several tier–one operators have expressed interest in upgrading and extending their usage of the Sicap gateway.

About Sicap.

Focused on customer satisfaction and service continuity, Sicap software enables operators and third party providers to achieve real time converged business on sustainable software. Dynamically recharging subscriber accounts, encouraging loyalty, or updating terminal and SIM configurations are all domains in which our ongoing support makes sure we deliver the latest that mobile technologies have to offer.

For further information about Sicap, please visit www.sicap.com