MERA and Fraunhofer FOKUS expand the Open Evolved Packet Core

MERA, an Eastern Europe's leader in value-added software R&D services, and Fraunhofer FOKUS, a Berlin based research and development facility specialized in developing multi-domain networks and interoperable, user-centered solutions for open communication systems, have launched a joint project in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) domain.

MERA will be working on the OpenEPC (Open Evolved Packet Core) platform, namely in the field of Mobility Management Entity (MME) and relevant MME components and interfaces. MERA is contributing to the prototyping of the components and connecting LTE (Long Term Evolution) components to the OpenEPC for more flexible and faster communication networks. This will help telecommunications providers to develop new and faster network standards. In addition to expanding the functionality, the collaboration will result in reduced costs to software based tests in the course of the development of OpenEPC components and increase research capacities. The expanded technology will be demonstrated in October 2010 at the 1st FOKUS FUSECO Forum in Berlin, Germany.

The OpenEPC has been developed by Fraunhofer FOKUS. The software tool equips the test and development environment with a crucial function: IP (Internet Protocol) based service platforms of different application domains can be integrated within different IP-based broadband networks. The technology can link the whole range of IP platforms seamlessly and according to the latest standards – from IPTV and cloud platforms over IP Multimedia Sub System (IMS) based service platforms to proprietary company platforms.

OpenEPC is able to meet requirements to different services of the application domains. Thus, IP connections can maintain quality characteristics across different network technology borders. As a consequence, connections can be prioritized and individual IP tunnels can be reserved for particular applications like telephone services or premium Internet access.

About Fraunhofer FOKUS

The Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems, Fraunhofer FOKUS for short, is a Berlin-based research facility devoted to studying and developing communication and information technologies. In particular, it specializes in multi-domain networks and interoperable, user-centered solutions.

With more than 20 years experience, Fraunhofer FOKUS is an important IT research partner for the telecommunications sector, the automobile industry, media services, and public administrations. It frequently cooperates with governmental agencies and software companies to create needoriented eGovernment solutions and is a leading collaborator in projects funded by the European Union as well as by national-level sponsors.

For more information on LTE & IMS activities visit Future Telecom Technologies Playground page