Comverse and Smith Micro Take Visual Voicemail to the Next Level, Empowering Carriers to Quickly Introduce and Monetize Innovative Voice Services, Create Engaging Consumer Experience


Together, Companies Position Carriers to Better Compete Against OTT Players, Build Subscriber Loyalty With Enhanced Voice Messaging and Content

Integrated Solution to be Showcased in Comverse Booth at MWC 2015

Key Takeaways:

  • Comverse plans to add Smith Micro's CommSuite® solution to its arsenal, taking visual voicemail (VVM) to the next level with an integrated visual messaging platform for service providers; solution offers engaging voice-driven communications and premium content to subscribers that quickly opens new revenue channels
  • Service providers can offer the Comverse/Smith Micro integrated solution to their subscribers as an embedded or over-the-top (OTT) app; energize and engage subscribers with content promotions and gamification; grow the user base with viral features; and monetize new services with in-app "try and buy" offerings, relevant advertising, and content purchases, to increase average revenue per user.
  • The integrated Comverse/Smith Micro solution will be showcased in the Comverse booth during Mobile World Congress 2015 (booth #3L20)

WAKEFIELD, Mass., March 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comverse (Nasdaq:CNSI), a global leader in cloud-based and in-network services enablement and monetization management software solutions for communication service providers and growing enterprises, today announced the company is working with Smith Micro Software (Nasdaq:SMSI) to bring innovative visual messaging solutions to service providers. By integrating Comverse's core strength as the global leader in voicemail technology with Smith Micro's proven CommSuite® premium visual messaging platform, service providers can take visual voicemail (VVM) and voice communications to new, addictive levels for subscribers, while quickly creating new revenue channels.

By integrating their solutions, Comverse and Smith Micro will help service providers better differentiate their offerings and compete with OTT providers thanks to fun, engaging visual content and enhanced communication features, including:

  • Voicemail to text transcription
  • Voice SMS with optional transcription
  • Personalized talking avatars, scenic backgrounds, and voice effects
  • Videomail 
  • Opt-in advertising
  • User experience analytics

Service providers can offer rich visual messaging capabilities to their subscribers as an app; energize and engage subscribers with content-driven promotions and gamification; grow the user base with viral features; and monetize new services with in-app "try and buy" offerings, advertising, and content purchases, to increase average revenue per user. Client and server analytics provide visibility into user experience that helps service providers fine tune offerings to maximize adoption. A tier 1 carrier is already receiving significant, quantifiable benefits from the Comverse/Smith Micro integrated solution.

"We've shown that offering users trusted, convenient visual messaging features, combined with fun, personalized content, is a surefire way for service providers to create new, recurring revenue streams and engage consumers," said Jim Mains, Chief Strategy Officer at Smith Micro. "Working with Comverse allows us to deliver, best-in-class solutions through their global footprint, adding tremendous value to carrier core services, and helping them grow and retain subscribers in the face of OTT market pressures."

"The Comverse/Smith Micro integrated visual messaging solution is another proof point of Comverse's mission to help service providers monetize the opportunities made possible with the 'fourth wave' of digital services' with compelling new communications content," said Adolfo Masini, Senior Vice President, Managing Director for Digital Services at Comverse. "Service providers are in a unique position to compete with OTT players to quickly offer content-hungry subscribers these engaging digital services that also open up new revenue channels. We're delighted to work with Smith Micro to deliver voice-driven messaging innovation to service providers around the world."

Leaders from Comverse and Smith Micro will be demonstrating the integrated visual messaging solution at the Comverse booth (3L20) at Mobile World Congress 2015, March 2-5 in Barcelona. 

Learn more about Comverse Digital Services at http://www.comverse.com/products/digital-services/.   

About Smith Micro Software, Inc.:

Smith Micro provides software to simplify and enhance the mobile experience. As the leader in wireless connectivity, our applications ensure the best Quality of Experience for mobile users while optimizing networks for service providers and enterprises. Using our intelligent policy-on-device platform, along with premium voice, video and content monetization services, we create new opportunities to engage consumers and capitalize on the growth of connected devices. For more information, visit smithmicro.com. (NASDAQ: SMSI)

About Comverse

Comverse provides true carrier-grade cloud-based and in-network monetization and revenue management software solutions that help global carriers and growing enterprises profitably enable the way people obtain and share digital experiences, today and tomorrow. We support digital lifestyles through a suite of proven and flexible solutions that includes managed BSS and Policy (PCRF), Enterprise and Cloud Billing, and Digital Services, all guided by an experienced Managed Services offering, that ensure our customers gain competitive advantage. Comverse's customer base spans more than 125 countries with solutions successfully delivered to over 450 communication service providers and enterprises serving more than two billion subscribers. For more information, visit www.comverse.com.

Statements included or incorporated by reference in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements." There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from forecasts and estimates. Important factors that could affect the company include the risks described in the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 16, 2014 or in subsequently filed periodic, current or other reports. The company undertakes no commitment to update or revise forward-looking statements except as required by law.


            

Contact Data