Oracle today announced that the company is acquiring mobile network management specialist Tekelec in a bid to delve deeper into the mobile services market and challenge established players like Cisco. For now, the terms of the deal are being kept under wraps.
Morrisville, NC-based Tekelec is a maker of network intelligence software for all-IP network operators that helps manage and monetize mobile broadband infrastructures by enabling real-time metrics, personalized subscriber plans and providing customers faster and more stable data services.
Tekelec’s platform offers Diameter, SIP and SS7 signaling, policy and subscriber data management and a Performance Intelligence Center. Over 300 customers in 100 countries use the company’s technology to manage their networks.
The business software giant plans to combine the Tekelec’s solutions slate for IP and mobile data networks with tech from Acme Packet and the company’s own Oracle Communications portfolio.
Oracle acquired Acme Packet, a Session Border Controller (SBC) innovator, in early February for a staggering $2.1 billion. In a statement announcing the Acme Packet buy, Oracle president Mark Hurd said, “The addition of Acme Packet to Oracle’s leading communications portfolio will enable service providers and enterprises to deliver innovative solutions that will change the way we interact, conduct commerce, deliver healthcare, secure our homes, and much more.”
Today, Oracle has its sights set on helping 3G and 4G mobile service providers get a better handle on (and profit from) the data traffic generated by a seemingly unending influx of mobile devices, according to Oracle Communications senior vice president Bhaskar Gorti.
The growing popularity of the cloud and bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives — not to mention an explosive market for iPhones, iPads and Android handsets — makes it a good time to help mobile network operators improve both their data services offerings and their bottom lines.
“As connected devices and applications become ubiquitous, intelligent network and service control technologies are required to enable service providers to efficiently deploy all-IP networks, and deliver and monetize innovative communication services,” said Gorti in a company statement.
The company echoed those remarks with an entry in the deal FAQ (PDF).
“The proliferation of smart devices, mobile applications, and connected services has led to an exponential increase in network signaling and data traffic. To address these increased network workloads, and monetize cloud, over-the-top, and personalized services, service providers require intelligent network control technologies,” offered Oracle as a rationale for the acquisition.
Oracle seeks to become an all-in-one provider of mobile network intelligence solutions. “The combination of Oracle and Tekelec will provide service providers with the most complete solution to manage their businesses across customer engagement, business and network operations, service delivery and end user applications,” added Gorti.
The companies expect the deal to close during the first half of 2013. Tekelec’s management and employees are expected to become part of the Oracle Communications Global Business Unit.
Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.
