Starhome, which provides roaming services and converged solutions, has been granted a patent from the European Patent Office (No. 1463366) for the core technologies of its Intelligent Preferred Network (IPN) solution, among other solutions.
Starhomes unique service-node architecture is a major component of this patent, which allows operators to manage the registration process of its subscribers as they roam in visited mobile networks. In addition, the patent includes Starhome Hybrid technology, the combination of the service-node signalling platform and a SIM-based preferred network solution.
Starhomes Intelligent Preferred Network service allows mobile operators to steer their outbound roamers to preferred roaming partners. IPN allows operators to control the selection of the visited network and therefore meet their overall roaming objectives.
The value of Starhomes IPN solution is that it allows operators to implement Steering of Roaming (SoR) according to their specific business and technical preferences and priorities, such as group alliances, coverage, traffic volumes, and Quality of Service. Another key benefit of the solution is that it gives operators a stronger position when negotiating Inter Operator Tariff (IOT) agreements with other Mobile Network Operators to achieve better tariffs and improve their revenues.
This patent affirms Starhomes position as a leader in SoR and roaming technologies, and as a leader in wireless technologies in general, says Orly Nesher, VP of Marketing at Starhome. Starhome continuously invests significant resources into its roaming technology leadership, and in the development of solutions for new convergence technologies.
The newly issued patent is a further milestone in Starhomes knowledge portfolio which includes, amongst others, 11 registered patents, such as those related to Starhomes Intelligent Call Assistant solution and Starhomes Virtual Home Environment solutions, as well as 65 pending applications for Starhomes technology and services in various jurisdictions worldwide. 
