Sprint selects Smith Micro solution to manage network traffic

Smith Micro announced that Sprint (NYSE:S) has tapped its Mobile Network Director solution to support more efficient traffic management between 3G mobile and Wi-Fi networks.

The decision by Sprint comes at a time when traditional mobile carriers are finally beginning to embrace the coordination of mobile and Wi-Fi to relieve traffic congestion and peak-hour over-use on mobile networks with the help of Wi-Fi off-load scenarios. Sprint may be doing this more aggressively than most, as the carrier looks to keep unlimited usage plans for mobile broadband as its competitive differentiation against other mobile carriers.

Smith Micro said Mobile Network Director allows Sprint to seamlessly change the network selection on subscribers' devices as they move between coverage areas. The solution also can turn on or off the different radios as needed, so that Wi-Fi usage and signal searches do not sap the mobile device's battery life.

The deployment if coming after Sprint conducted extensive end users trials of Mobile Network Director.

For more:
- see this press release

Related article:
Smith Micro acquired PCTEL's mobile group in 2007