Cloud native communications software group Metaswitch has bought mobile service enablement provider OpenCloud to ramp up its virtualised mobile solutions for 3G, 4G, LTE and beyond.
Metaswitch said OpenCloud was a “recognised expert” in its field offering products which transform the real-time communications service layer to create innovative revenue-generating services and migrating traditional IN-based mobile voice service to IMS. It is currently in use by over 60 operators worldwide.
Metaswitch hopes the acquisition will enable it to offer global service providers a pure-play software VoLTE solution, adding the market-leading Rhino Telecom Application Server to its Clearwater IMS Core and Perimeta SBC.
“The acquisition of OpenCloud is a key part of our portfolio expansion strategy to fully serve both mobile and converged network operators,” said Metaswitch CEO Martin Lund. “Global operators have long looked to Metaswitch for innovative communication solutions and we are now perfectly placed to ensure the rapid deployment of VoLTE today, and to quickly deliver differentiated services on the path to 5G.”
OpenCloud chief executive Ian Clarke said Metaswitch was the ideal strategic and cultural fit for its business and customers. “Both companies have outstanding engineering teams, a commitment to continued leadership in virtualised network functions, proven mobile service solutions and a dedication to advancing the cause of our mobile customers, worldwide,” he said.
The VoLTE market is experiencing a period of rapid growth, with, according to recent research from HIS Markit, subscribers estimated to have exceeded 310 million at the end of 2016 and predicted to top 1 billion by the end of 2020.
IHS Markit also forecasts growth of the NFV MANO and VNF market at a compound annual growth rate of 42 percent, up from $2.2 billion in 2015 to $12.4 billion in 2020.
Metaswitch said given these figures it is confident that cloud native communications software is one of the keys to unlocking the benefits such as lower capex and opex, agility and rapid innovation promised by NFV.