Syniverse Technologies (NYSE: SVR), a leading provider of
technology and business solutions for the global telecommunications
industry, announced today that Saudi Telecom Company (STC) will
implement the most advanced roaming fraud protection available almost
a year ahead of a GSM Association's (GSMA) October 2008 deadline for
member companies.
STC will deploy Syniverse DataNet, a solution developed in
conformance with the GSMA's Near Real-Time Roaming Data Exchange
(NRTRDE) initiative, to ensure data records that track subscriber
roaming activity are exchanged more rapidly between home and visited
operators. Replacing the existing, outmoded High Usage Reports (HUR)
system with the NRTRDE standard reduces data record exchange time from
36 to 4 hours, enabling operators to spot fraudulent activity much
more rapidly and reduce potential fraud losses by up to an estimated
90 percent.
"STC plays a leading role in the growing Middle Eastern mobile
market, and we have been proactive in providing the most secure
roaming environment that we can for subscribers," said Mohamed
Alageel, General Manager of Information Technology at Saudi Telecom,
Aljawal, STC. "Syniverse was the clear choice for this vital project
because it has the necessary roaming systems experience coupled with
an outstanding roaming fraud solution developed to be the new
benchmark for anti-fraud excellence."
The NRTRDE standard was developed by the GSMA to effectively
combat the growing threat of International Revenue Share Fraud and to
help operators the world over benefit from a far more accurate and
timely view of how their networks are performing against fraud. With
NRTRDE, the visited (roaming) network will be required to forward call
data records to the subscriber's home operator within four hours of
the call end time, closing the roaming fraud window that currently is
open on operator networks that use HUR. If the visited operator is
unable to get this information to the home operator in time, the
visited operator will be liable for any fraud associated with those
calls.
Eugene Bergen, Executive Vice President, EMEA, Syniverse, said
reducing revenue lost due to roaming fraud leads to corresponding
one-to-one increases in operator profitability for STC and, equally
important, a more secure roaming environment for its subscribers. STC,
which has been a Syniverse customer since 2004, chose Syniverse due to
its technology leadership, commitment to customer service and
understanding of operators' business needs.
"STC clearly understands that time matters when it comes to
combating roaming fraud, and that the sooner an NRTRDE solution is
implemented, the better protected both STC and subscribers will be
when they are roaming," Bergen said. "We see other GSM operators
globally are quickly following STC's lead and implementing NRTRDE in
accordance with the GSMA's guidelines to remain competitive as other
operators worldwide upgrade their fraud detection capabilities."
Syniverse, whose DataNet NRTRDE solution ensures operators are in
full compliance with the new GSMA standard, has played a leading role
in the creation of industry standards for fraud prevention. Syniverse
chairs both the GSMA Transferred Account Data Interchange Group
(TADIG), which is responsible for NRTRDE technical specifications, and
the NRTRDE Interworking Group (NRTIG), which is responsible for NRTRDE
interworking procedures between vendors. Syniverse is the official
author and editor of TD.35, a key technical specification that ensures
NRTRDE data can be quickly and easily actioned by operators who are
eager to reduce fraud.
STC also relies on Syniverse's ACCESS S&E(R) GSM Clearinghouse
Services to ensure all data records are cleared between STC and its
many roaming partners in a rapid, accurate and cost-effective manner;
MMS Interworking Gateway (MMS-IG) Hubbing Service, which allows STC to
increase its multimedia messaging service (MMS) revenues by solving
business and technical issues associated with delivering MMS
off-network and between operators; and INPack(SM), Syniverse's GRX
network solution that allows STC subscribers seamless access to their
data network while roaming nationally and internationally.
About Syniverse
Syniverse Technologies (NYSE:SVR) makes it possible for over 350
communications companies in more than 50 countries to address market
changes and demands as they deliver everything from voice calls to
sophisticated data and video services. By ensuring that disparate
technologies and standards interoperate, Syniverse allows operators to
provide seamless, interactive mobile services to their subscribers
wherever and whenever they need them. Celebrating its 20th anniversary
in 2007, Syniverse is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A., and has
offices in major cities around the globe. Syniverse is ISO 9001:2000
certified and TL 9000 approved, adhering to the principles of customer
focus and quality improvement practices. More information is available
at www.syniverse.com.
About STC
Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is the largest mobile operator in MENA
and is the incumbent telecom provider in Saudi Arabia. STC has more
than 15 million mobile customers and more than 400 global roaming
relations. Roaming services include postpaid, prepaid, GPRS, MMS and
3G services. Other services provided by STC are PSTN, broadband and
ISP services. More information is available at www.stc.com.sa.