Acme Packet obtains product certification for the GSM Association’s PathFinder Industry Partner Programme. PathFinder is a GSMA-managed service operated by NeuStar that enhances IPX (IP eXchange) services with destination discovery capabilities for voice and other sessions. The IPX is a managed interconnect service defined by the GSMA, offering secure, high-quality transit services to both mobile and fixed network operators for SIP and other IP-based services.

The PathFinder Industry Partner Programme is designed to foster interoperability and support relationships with companies offering products and services that are complementary to the PathFinder service. Acme Packet’s Net-Net Session Director and Session Router configurations have proven interoperability with the ENUM-based number and route resolution service managed by NeuStar. This service demonstrates Acme Packet’s Open Session Routing architecture for delivering trusted, first-class SIP-based interactive communications within and between mobile, fixed-line and transit networks.

GSMA PathFinder and Acme Packet

The PathFinder service facilitates IP interoperability by translating telephone numbers to IP-based addresses for SIP-based services such as voice, messaging, presence and video sharing. Based on Carrier ENUM, PathFinder is a centralized routing database for dynamic route selection and is available to mobile and fixed network operators.

Acme Packet’s Net-Net SD and Net-Net SR query the PathFinder databases using the industry-standard ENUM protocol. Using these databases, Acme Packet products make dynamic routing decisions within the core IP network and to the PSTN and other IP networks using a wide selection of parameters. Acme Packet’s Net-Net SD and SR support the various PathFinder service types, including SIP or H.323-based VoIP, presence and messaging.

The GSMA PathFinder service demonstrates the principals of Acme Packet’s OSR architecture, which features Acme Packet’s session routing proxy or session border controller working in conjunction with best-of breed routing database products and services. Acme Packet’s OSR architecture addresses scaling problems when SIP session routing decisions become much more complex, requiring a dynamic, real-time routing decision for each individual session for multiple sources and destinations within a network. Acme Packet’s OSR architecture is deployed in several tier-one fixed, cable and wireless operators’ networks around the world.

Acme Packet SBCs have been widely used in GSMA IPX trials since 2007—both by IPX carriers or connecting service providers. The Net-Net SBCs were most recently used at IPX trials conducted by Telecom New Zealand International. This builds upon Acme Packet's IPX trial experience with customers including Belgacom International Carrier Services, Telefónica International Wholesale, Telenor Global Services and others.