Ascom Network Testing, the global leader in broadband mobile testing solutions, today announced Blixt™ a patent-pending, available bandwidth measurement (ABM) technology that enables mobile operators to dramatically reduce the cost and time required to test network quality and deploy new capacity.

Blixt, which is Swedish for “flash,” uses a proprietary algorithm to send data in short, intensive bursts to validate broadband throughput using 90% less network capacity than traditional methods. This saved capacity is immediately available to consumers rather than consumed by the mobile operator’s own testing teams, thus improving the customer experience as well as operator revenue generation. This revolutionary approach enables operators to:

• Reduce drive testing requirements related to throughput testing by at least 50%
• Test capacity on a live network without significantly impacting subscriber service
• Improve the economy and accuracy of testing using smartphones, since Blixt significantly reduces on-device processing loads and battery usage
• Facilitate multi-network throughput testing by reducing processing load on host PCs.

Traditional ABM methods have focused primarily on fixed IP networks, which have constant performance over time and can be tested by using relatively simple methods. Today’s advanced mobile broadband networks – such as LTE and HSPA – require metrics and measurement techniques designed specifically for the radio environment, which is subject to rapid fluctuations. Blixt enables operators to measure the throughput that can be delivered over the wireless link in a given location at a given point in time, thereby tracking the bandwidth being offered to their subscribers with greater precision and millisecond resolution.

“Our new proprietary Blixt ABM technology will significantly help mobile operators grow capacity so they can meet the projected burgeoning demand for mobile broadband services,“ said Rikard Lundqvist, General Manager of Ascom Network Testing. “With this highly accurate, non-intrusive bandwidth measurement technology, operators can quickly validate network performance, bringing up more capacity, more rapidly, without negatively impacting subscribers,” Lundqvist said.

Ascom will first offer the new Blixt technology as a feature with the April release of TEMS™ Investigation, its flagship product that is the world’s most widely used, and trusted, mobile network drive testing solution.

TEMS Investigation is part of the TEMS Portfolio, a suite of advanced mobile network testing technology that enables mobile operators to cost effectively grow network capacity, boost operational efficiency and ensure a premium customer experience. The TEMS Portfolio leverages a unified software architecture that enables the industry’s most accurate and reliable data collection probes, and integrates with an advanced analytics and reporting platform. The TEMS Portfolio empowers mobile operators to optimize performance and troubleshoot network issues related to a wide spectrum of sources: from end user handsets (UE) and application services such as Skype and YouTube, to network configuration and parameter settings.

ABOUT ASCOM NETWORK TESTING

Ascom Network Testing offers the TEMS Portfolio, the world’s most widely used network testing, monitoring and optimization platform. Ascom Network Testing is a division of Ascom, an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how in Mission-Critical Communication. The company focuses on the areas of Wireless Solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions) and Network Testing (a global market leader in optimization solutions for mobile networks). The company is headquartered in Switzerland, has subsidiaries in 17 countries and a workforce of some 1,900 employees worldwide. Ascom registered shares (symbol ASCN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (Switzerland).