11 September 2003 Kanata, Canada Lightwave Europe -- Bridgewater Systems, a provider of dynamic IP data service solutions, has launched Dynamic Bandwidth Manager, to enable broadband carriers to manage peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic.
Bridhgewater says that the system also helps carriers generate new revenue by offering bandwidth-on-demand capabilities to their existing customers for better gaming experiences, faster uploads/downloads and voice and video services.
Celine Bak, VP products, said, "Through Dynamic Bandwidth Manager, DSL carriers can reduce the spiralling costs of P2P traffic. These same capabilities enable them to generate significant new revenue streams from existing customers and attract new ones by offering services attractive to dial-up Internet users. For all of these new services, carriers can realise significant savings."
As DSL providers have experienced, very active users of P2P file-sharing software for music and video downloads can have a drastic impact on network load and on the bandwidth of other subscribers. Bridgewater says that its Dynamic Bandwidth Manager enables service providers to control P2P traffic on a per-user, per-session basis. DSL providers can get control of their network. It also enables DSL providers to offer higher tiers of service that include P2P as part of the offering, thereby turning P2P into a managed, revenue-generating opportunity.
Revenue generation
Dynamic Bandwidth Manager can deliver several revenue-generating applications for different sets of users. These include the following:
- For the online gaming games sector, network users can, at the click of an on-screen "turbo" button, increase bandwidth speed from 512-kbit/s to 3-Mbit/s - and reduce latency and jitter for a set time period or the duration of a game.
- Teleworkers can automatically boost bandwidth for a set period of time each day or on an ad-hoc basis in the evening and weekends to provide a suitable connection for enterprise applications.
Dynamic Bandwidth Manager enables them to set the boost parameters themselves for ultimate flexibility.
- Subscribers can download larger files more quickly than would otherwise be possible with their service. Examples include software packages such as upgrades, music, videos, etc. available via Internet download.
Dynamic Bandwidth Manager is already deployed within a North American carrier and in trials with a UK-based carrier. It will be generally available to carriers by the end of 2003.
Bridgewater Systems
Bridgewater Systems provides dynamic IP data service fulfillment and assurance solutions that enable service providers to generate profits from their networks while enhancing customer loyalty. The modular product suite is said to extract more value from existing operations support systems, business support systems, and network assets to enable service providers achieve new revenue sources.
Bridgewater's products are currently deployed by top-tier global service providers such as Bell Mobility, ICG Communications, Covad and Telia. Founded in 1997, it is a privately held company.