26 July 2010

Singapore, 26 July 2010 - StarHub today announced that it has adopted the world's first smartphone signaling solution provided by Huawei, to further enhance network performance by reducing smartphone signalling traffic, after successful completion of tests of the solution on its advanced HSPA+ 3G network.

The popularity of 3G smartphones, such as the iPhone and BlackBerry, and the increased number of data cards on the market, have led to higher data traffic and signal loads on mobile networks. These devices have two distinct characteristics: “heartbeat” - applications that frequently send a small volume of data packets - and “pre fast dormancy” – a rapid change from active to idle mode. These characteristics create high signaling traffic, putting pressure on the mobile network, thus potentially slowing it down significantly.‪

Test results have shown that the solution optimises StarHub's smartphone mobile data service signaling process by reducing 56% of the redundant signalling loads as well as significantly enhancing smartphone performance and improving mobile broadband connectivity. ‪

StarHub is currently progressively deploying the solution on its 3G network, with full implementation expected by year-end. Huawei’s smartphone signaling solution will help StarHub to manage the increasing volume of HSPA 3G data traffic on its network and to deliver an improved mobile broadband experience to customers. 

“As a pioneer in mobile broadband, we are dedicated to providing our customers with an enhanced mobile broadband experience. We adopted Huawei's solutions to solve smartphone signaling loads and improve end-user experience,” said Mr Peter Cook, Vice President, Mobile Network Engineering, StarHub.‪ ‪

“Our smartphone signaling solution illustrates Huawei’s industry-leadership in terms of offering innovative, customer-centric solutions to assist operators to address the data traffic growth and enhance the overall mobile broadband experience,” said Mr Wan Biao, President of Wireless Product Line, Huawei. ‪"In Europe, America and other high-end market, there are many high-traffic mobile networks like StarHub with smartphone penetration rates growing. Huawei's smartphone signaling solution will help these operators to meet mobile broadband challenges.‪"