Smartfren Builds a Winning Multi-VAS Platform

Challenges

In March 2010, Indonesian operators Smart Telecom and Mobile-8 Telecom joined hands to work under a new brand name—Smartfren. Cost efficiency was a key factor that brought about the cooperation. Smartfren faced challenges in converging its two legacy networks and simplifying the topology of nationwide interconnection while reducing OPEX. The value added services (VAS) previously offered by the two operators also needed to be converged so that customers would have an integrated user experience with enhanced QoS and so that the features of existing SMS, MMS, voicemail, and WAP gateway could remained unchanged.

To meet growing service demands and dominate the Indonesian market, Smartfren sought to create an open environment that allowed for flexible and easy interconnection between service providers and content providers. Converging the networks was a good opportunity to build open interfaces and service management portals for third parties. These would help Smartfren shorten the time to market for its new VAS. 

Innovative iVAS

   After careful consideration and evaluation, Smartfren chose ZTE’s integrated value-added service solution (iVAS) for swapping existing SMS, MMS, VMS and WAP gateways.

   iVAS is an integrated VAS platform that offers services through a unified platform, combines their common functions into a public unit, and allows for easy O&M through a unified O&M unit. With innovative iVAS, Smartfren can now cut down CAPEX and OPEX. iVAS brings to Smartfren:

■     an integrated architectural design that provides scalability, carrier-grade reliability, and high performance  

■     a shared software and data design that allows services to be activated or deactivated independently through a central service control

■     an integrated data structure (for user, service, and configuration data) and unified file storage

■     an open service creation and management environment that allows for interoperability of third-party applications

■     a support to cutting-edge technologies such as loud and virtualization.

  Because iVAS provides dynamic capacity and license allocation—four services share the same resource pool—Smartfren can automatically shift service capacity and licenses from one service enabler to another based on actual system traffic.

  To build an open environment for service delivery, Smartfren also chose to combine iVAS with a service delivery platform developed by ZTE. This is the most efficient way for Smartfren to offer its diverse range of applications. Services are provided by ZTE as new core applications, developed by Smartfren in the modern service-creation environment, or developed by third parties using standard ParlayX and REST interfaces.

Geographic Redundancy

Smartfren needed a highly reliable solution with geographic redundancy for VAS. iVAS platforms were set up at two sites: one main site in Jakarta and another site in Surabaya.  During normal operation, the two sites work in active-active mode to share the traffic burden. But if a failure occurred in Jakarta, the hosted services would be switched to Surabaya, and vice versa.

A remote disaster tolerance system is provided so that Smartfren can cope with earthquakes, fires, or system breakdowns. Through database synchronization, file synchronization, and message synchronization, the tolerance system ensures the two sites are identical.

Smooth Swapping

Smartfren worked closely with ZTE’s professional VAS team. In October 2010, the legacy platforms of Smart Telecom and Mobile-8 Telecom were smoothly swapped to iVAS without impacting existing services. Smartfren now has the ability to deliver better and faster services to meet user needs and fulfill its target of doubling its subscriber base within a year. 

ZTE’s iVAS solution allows for:

■     fast deployment. Integrated architecture of iVAS allows for easy service expansion, fast equipment installation, and hardware and software sharing. This reduces CAPEX.  

■     unified operation. iVAS adopts an ATCA technique that saves energy and  reduces consumption. It provides unified OMM for easy O&M. This reduces OPEX.

■     open environments. iVAS creates open application program interfaces and service creation environments that allow for interoperability with third-party applications. Diverse service applications enhance user experience and increase ARPU.

Smartfren has built a winning multi-VAS platform through iVAS. Throughout its deployment and operation stages, iVAS has benefited Smartfren.