Airwide Solutions, which provides mobile messaging infrastructure and applications, has announced an agreement with Cell C, South Africas third largest mobile phone operator, to upgrade its messaging network, using Airwides AirMessenger SMSCs (Short Message Service Centres) and AirGate messaging gateways to increase capacity and more efficiently manage messaging traffic.
Cell C is making the investment in order to be better prepared for the festive season peaks in SMS traffic. Airwides South African partner, Atos Origin, is working with Airwide on the integration of the new technologies with Cell Cs existing infrastructure.
Cell Cs network is growing fast through both organic subscriber acquisition, and agreements with mobile virtual network operators, including Virgin Mobile. Over 16 million SMS messages were sent over Cell Cs network during last New Years celebrations, and this figure is expected to be even higher this year. AirMessenger, says Airwide, is a high-performance, industry-proven SMSC that will facilitate Cell Cs growth, enhance subscribers experience and maximise revenues from mobile messaging.
AirGate is a flexible messaging gateway that will allow Cell C to quickly integrate third party applications into its network, so that it can deliver a wide range of new SMS- and MMS-based mobile data services and mobile media applications, from music downloads to SMS voting.
AirGate will enable many new wireless application service providers (WASPS) to utilise Cell Cs messaging infrastructure by acting as a secure access gateway. It ensures that only verified and safe traffic can enter the network, protecting both Cell Cs network and subscribers.
Cell C has 2.7 million active subscribers, including almost 2 million prepaid subscribers and just over 1 million post-paid subscribers. Over 84% of Cell C traffic is carried on the companys own network, which covers 70% of the countrys population and 28.5% of the geographical land area.
“Airwide has been our preferred messaging infrastructure partner since we rolled out our messaging network in 2001 says Cell C Head of Service and Architecture Planning,  Dennis Magaya. With the upgrade to our system, we are confident that we will be able to handle the anticipated peak in traffic and continue to deliver a reliable service to our subscribers during the festive season.

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