Pakistan Telecom Selects Tekelec's Number Portability Solution

Tekelec helps PTCL to expand signaling capabilities while meeting regulatory requirements

Tekelec, a leading developer of high-performance network applications for next-generation fixed, mobile and packet networks, today announced that its EAGLE® 5 Integrated Signaling System (ISS) capabilities, triggerless ISUP-based number portability (TINP) solution and INAP-based number portability (INP) solution will enable operator Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL) to implement inter-carrier mobile number portability. The Tekelec solution also will allow PTCL to support number portability for fixed-line subscribers when mandated by the government. PTCL is the largest telecom service provider in Pakistan, serving 5.5 million fixed-line subscribers across the region. PTCL expects subscribers to double over the next two years.

Under the mobile cellular policy announced by the government of Pakistan, PTCL is required to facilitate mobile number portability (MNP), which allows mobile subscribers to switch between cellular phone companies without changing their original number. The deadline for implementing MNP in Pakistan is in March 2007.

A consortium of cellular telecommunication operators in Pakistan is establishing a central MNP database, a copy of which will be accessed and maintained by all mobile and fixed network operators in Pakistan. All fixed and mobile operators needing to route calls to a registered mobile subscriber now will access the routing details from their respective MNP database. To facilitate MNP implementation, the Tekelec EAGLE ISS performs the signaling for accessing, maintaining, updating and querying these databases.

The PTCL network is undergoing a significant expansion, and the company also will be able to leverage the EAGLE platform to increase the signaling capabilities of its network. There are an estimated 900 million fixed-to-fixed calls per month and 300 million fixed-to-mobile calls per month in the PTCL network; calls are expected to rise at a rate of 20 to 24 percent per annum. In collaboration with Tekelec, ZTE is carrying out the deployment.

Tekelec has established itself as a leader in number portability innovation, deploying the first integrated number portability solution in 1997. Since then, Tekelec has deployed number portability (NP) solutions with more than 50 operators around the world and has supported various NP deployments in Asia-Pacific countries, including Taiwan, Pakistan, and Australia. Tekelec has a broad portfolio of NP solutions covering global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA) and fixed networks, as well as intra-carrier number retention. The company is well positioned to win future NP deals as more countries mandate NP and as operators can leverage new or existing EAGLE deployments for integrated signaling-NP solutions as well as other core network applications such as G-Flex HLR Manager and performance and revenue management.

"We are delighted to announce this deployment with PTCL, which demonstrates our growing presence across the South Asian and Middle Eastern regions," said Wolrad Claudy, managing director of the Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia region for Tekelec. "We look forward to establishing a strong relationship with PTLC as it continues to build its subscriber base and fulfill its business objectives of providing outstanding customer service and meeting regulatory requirements" - Tekelec.