Pannon GSM Deploys NetSpira

4th April 2005 - Madrid, Spain
MADRID, Spain -- Pannon GSM, one of the largest wireless operators in Hungary and a subsidiary of Telenor, announced that it has deployed NetSpira Networks to provide a new content-based charging system for its mobile data services.

NetSpira’s ECS platform (Enhanced Charging Solution) enables mobile data network operators to identify the type of data traffic being sent and received. This enables operators to adjust their charging and service model to maximize revenues but at the same time decrease costs for many customers.

By using NetSpira ECS, Pannon can introduce service-differentiated charging for pre-paid users of its existing network. Charges will differ according to a number of criteria such as the application, content type and content provider – all conducted within the pay as you go environment.

NetSpira ECS sits alongside the GPRS gateway support node or the PDSN in wireless networks and fits in with the existing infrastructure of operators so no replacements of existing technology are needed. It can support both post-paid and prepaid customers and is also deployed and in commercial service in Eurotel Praha, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone Spain, Telefonica Moviles Espana and Optimus in Portugal, along with other prominent GSM/GPRS and CDMA Operators in Americas and Asia Pac.

Jozsef Huszlicska, Chief Technical Officer of Pannon GSM, said: "NetSpira will enable us to strengthen our leadership position in mobile data services in Hungary. Thanks to ECS, we can now offer a variety of different pricing packages tailored to encourage our customers to use their phones for advanced services such as video. NetSpira’s ECS is a very intelligent system and its integration within our existing transport infrastructure has been very straightforward.”

NetSpira’s Executive Vice President, Salim A. Mawji and CEO, Jose Lopez, jointly commented: "Yet another large operator win for us. Data operators throughout the world are realising that it is really quite simple to deploy our content-based charging system to fulfil the need to increase revenues and satisfy customers who are demanding flexible pricing packages.”

About Pannon GSM (www.pgsm.hu)

Pannon GSM Távközlési Rt. is a mobile communications service provider seated in Budaörs.The company launched its mobile communications services in the spring of 1994; today it is in the 100% ownership of the Norwegian Telenor Mobile Communications, multinational telecom service provider. With its expertise and comprehensive services tailored to its customers' needs, Pannon GSM is a partner for each of its customers in achieving their objectives. As an innovative mobile communications service provider, it renders voice and data transmission services of the highest quality, attaching special importance to the continuous extension and development of its products. Pannon GSM employs a most highly trained staff of more than 1500.

About NetSpira Networks

NetSpira Networks is an innovative company focused on enabling content-based charging, service-differentiated routing and message management in IP-based mobile networks, such as GPRS, UMTS and CDMA networks. NetSpira Networks is headquartered in Madrid, with the R&D office in Barcelona and commercial offices in the UK.