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Sandvine Launches Updated Network Billing Solution

Latest product version allows operators to offer and implement innovative pricing tiers

Waterloo, ON; August 8, 2011 – Increasingly, communications service providers are looking to offer personalized pricing models that best reflect individual subscriber preferences and usage patterns.  In response to the sophistication and implementation of these new plans, Sandvine (TSX:SVC; AIM:SAND), a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, announced today the next release of their Usage Management product, which includes key upgrades to help both fixed and mobile service providers create, manage and implement new product offerings.

A key differentiator in the 4.0 release of Usage Management is that with its availability, operators now have a single vendor, pre-integrated source for a high-availability software solution that incorporates a real-time advice of usage interface at any threshold.  Additionally, the new release allows operators to create a virtually unlimited number of service plan offerings, by enabling operators to differentiate the service plans using combinations of application, location, device awareness, access technology, and volume or time metrics.

Sandvine’s access-agnostic solutions are also capable of interfacing with multiple concurrent data sources, including Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) data sources within cable architectures, augmenting the usage data with rich application and subscriber aware conditions at the Sandvine Policy Traffic Switch (PTS).  Enforcement of specified usage policies, which may include zero-rating for certain traffic, is achieved at the PTS, or optional signalling down to the access device, via technologies such as PacketCable Multi-Media (PCMM).

Usage Management provides several use-cases that benefit subscribers, including:

  • Cost certainty – Some operators are offering basic plans, for set monthly charges, targeted towards subscribers who primarily use specific applications, such as Facebook or email.  These plans have become popular because they offer consumers cost certainty for heavy-use applications.
  • Dynamic subscriber notification – For volume-based plans, service providers can help inform consumers with real-time usage portals, and provide advice of usage notifications when they are nearing their quota limit, so there is no overshoot.  Proactive communications help prevent unnecessary overage charges and allow redirection to a portal so the subscriber can top-up his quota or upgrade his plan to another tier.
  • Bill shock avoidance – Subscribers who travel outside of their service plan jurisdiction may be in for a nasty surprise when they are additionally billed for use of third-party network usage.  Some jurisdictions, like the EU, have now mandated that subscribers get official notice, when they exceed a certain cost threshold, while roaming in out-of-network geographic areas. With Sandvine’s ability to track roaming usage and display usage in real-time, subscribers can be kept informed of their usage charges.
  • Family plans – Within the subscriber’s home, multiple users can access the Internet from different login locations concurrently, so that each can enjoy favorite applications at leisure on different devices.

“With growing interest in different Internet applications and billing models, Sandvine is keeping ahead of operators’ needs for greater service creation flexibility and scalability,” said Don Bowman, CTO, Sandvine.

ABOUT SANDVINE

Sandvine’s network policy control solutions focus on protecting and improving the quality of experience on the Internet. Our award-winning network policy control equipment and software helps fixed and wireless and mobile operators better understand network traffic, manage network congestion, create new services and revenues, mitigate traffic that is malicious or undesirable to subscribers, deliver QoS-prioritized multimedia services and increase subscriber satisfaction. With over 200 service provider customers in over 85 countries, serving hundreds of millions of broadband and mobile data subscribers, Sandvine is enhancing the Internet experience worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.sandvine.com

MEDIA CONTACT
Sacha DeGroot
Sandvine
+1 519 880 2232
sdegroot@sandvine.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Rick Wadsworth
Sandvine
+1 519 880 2400 ext. 3503
rwadsworth@sandvine.com

AIM NOMAD
Andrew Chubb/Simon Bridges
Canaccord Adams Limited
+44 0207 050 6500

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of such laws. Statements related to potential benefits of, and demand for, Sandvine’s products or services including statements with respect to the features and benefits that may be achieved through the use of Sandvine’s products or services and the relative position of these products vis-à-vis competitive offerings in the industry are forward-looking statements which are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties include such factors as rapid technological changes, changes in customer architecture and equipment deployment requirements, the introduction of competing technologies, the risks and uncertainties of new product introductions, dependence on key supplies and other similar factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sandvine to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.  Sandvine assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.