GSMA nominates BroadForward DSC for the third year in a row in the Best Mobile Technology category

The GSMA announced today that BroadForward, Enexis and CGI are jointly shortlisted in the category Best Mobile Technology for the launch of the world’s first PVNO for M2M. The GSMA represents the interests of 800 mobile operators and over 250 enterprises related to the Telecoms industry. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 23rd of February at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. MWC is the world’s largest annual exhibition for the mobile industry, hosting over 95,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors. The GSMA Global Mobile Awards event is hosted by Suzi Perry, presenter of BBC’s Formula 1 racing programs.

Enexis, a leading energy company in the Netherlands, became the world’s first Private Virtual Network Operator (PVNO). The launch was enabled by the PVNO platform managed by system integrator CGI and powered by software technology from BroadForward. The PVNO model was made possible by new Dutch legislation, aimed at boosting IoT/M2M take-up, by enabling enterprises to become communication service providers in their own right. The PVNO framework enables enterprises who manage large amounts of cellular M2M devices (e.g. smart meters) to own and control their own SIM cards. Other European countries (such as Sweden, Germany, Spain and Italy) and other industries (e.g. automotive, healthcare, defense etc.) are looking to follow suit.

The nomination by the GSMA is for the BFX Interface Gateway, providing the ‘proxy’ technology required for intelligent routing of M2M traffic. BFX enables participating enterprises to become a PVNO and select and change 2G/3G and LTE network providers without the need to replace SIM cards. BFX further provides multi-tenant traffic control and routing capabilities to and from millions of smart devices, for SS7 as well as Diameter networks.

The BFX Interface Gateway is the Next Generation Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) for 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Fixed, Wi-Fi and M2M networks. BFX provides a unique combination of DRA, DEA and IWF in a single, integrated software solution, offering more advanced capabilities compared to traditional routers.

“Congratulations to all of the nominees for the 2016 Global Mobile Awards,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “With more than 930 entries this year – a new record – the competition is greater than ever, reflecting the tremendous diversity and pace of innovation across the mobile world.”

Taco Schoute, CEO of BroadForward commented: “We are very proud that the GSMA has nominated BroadForward for the third year in a row in the Best Mobile Technology category. The Global Mobile Awards are by far the largest and most important platform for recognition of the best solutions that the Telecoms industry has to offer. It is a great acknowledgment of the important role that our BFX product plays in signaling innovations across Mobile, Fixed, Wi-Fi and M2M networks.”