Roke Launches Technology First to Make Smartphones Smarter

ROMSEY, England, January 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Roke Manor Research has developed 'SmartSwitch', the world's first intelligent network congestion and traffic manager that requires zero infrastructure investment from network operators. By maximising battery life, SmartSwitch also allows smartphone manufacturers to significantly improve reliability and consumer satisfaction.

Unlike other connection managers, SmartSwitch only exists on the mobile device. This means that it can be configured for mass market deployment without the need for operators to invest in infrastructure or additional capability.

SmartSwitch is also optimised to provide network operators with intelligent selective offload and traffic shaping. By using context aware network selection, SmartSwitch intelligently selects alternative networks, such as WiFi, based on traffic type and preset policies. As SmartSwitch is application aware, this gives operators the ability to reduce congestion in known problem coverage areas and ensure that traffic from value-added applications is not lost. Other connection managers currently rely on a priority connection process, which can result in the loss of valuable traffic to other competitive networks, as well as adversely impact battery life.

SmartSwitch delivers smartphone users the ability to define their quality of experience and manufacturers improved battery performance, allowing them to increase consumer satisfaction and differentiate their products. Mobile users define how long they need the battery to last and follow SmartSwitch's simple indicators to guide them towards a usage pattern that can be sustained. SmartSwitch's intelligent network selection then ensures that the device's power usage is suited to the user's predefined data requirements. Background data management also notifies the user of events such as new email, while reducing the time connected to the network to maximise battery life.

Ben Toner, Business Sector Consultant, Roke Manor Research, said: "A constant battle within the telecoms industry is to deliver smartphone users better applications but within the constraints of battery capabilities. Users cannot tell how long their battery will last and may run out of power before they get to a charger, yet they still expect to browse the Internet whenever they want and have instant access to applications such as email and social media. SmartSwitch will give mobile devices the intelligence to understand a user's individual preferences and manage battery life against that.

"Not only will SmartSwitch improve user satisfaction with both network and device reliability, it will also enable network operators to maximise capacity. Roke has really has put the 'smart' into smartphones."

For more information please visit http://www.roke.co.uk/smartswitch

Roke will be demonstrating SmartSwitch at this year's Mobile World Congress. Those attending who would like to see SmartSwitch in action please contact Ben Toner +44(0)1794-833000 ben.toner@roke.co.uk

About Roke Manor Research Ltd http://www.roke.co.uk

Roke Manor Research Ltd. is an independent electronics research and development centre based in Romsey, Hampshire. Founded in 1956, Roke is one of the UK's leading suppliers of innovative solutions and contract R&D. Roke employs 450 staff and has over 430 patents to its name. Roke pioneers developments in electronic sensors, networks, and communications technology.

Roke has over 50 years of communications experience, providing customers with technology consultancy through to product development in both the commercial and military sectors. Roke has led the way in mobile terminal development, from the first GSM devices to the latest LTE and WiMAX technology. Its research, product development and business process expertise ensures that customers always produce cost-effective, market-leading products with a rapid turnaround from concept to market introduction.

For more information, visit http://www.roke.co.uk.