Net4Call offers a number of off-the-shelf and customizable applications that are deployed on the Ericsson Network Resource Gateway (NRG). Net4Call supplies software-enabling tools that make it possible for application service providers and operators to develop and deploy online, network-intensive telephony services.

Thorleif Sonerud, founder and CEO of Net4Call, says the collaboration with Ericsson is vital for Net4Call. "Ericsson's global experience and its NRG solution are essential for taking our solutions to market," he says. "Ericsson has recognized the benefits of our platform and applications, such as Click2Dial, Virtual PBX and Televoting.”

Net4Call Televoting is a voting service based on Ericsson NRG. The application handles high-traffic events and guarantees that calls are counted correctly. It can deliver live status reports of ongoing events and enables operators to provide an interface to customers, such as TV and radio stations. The interface can be used for events, such as football games, and television programs, such as soap operas. The service generates new revenues for operators and customers.

Sonerud says: "The strength of our solution is that it is able to carry out a large number of tasks in a short period of time. This is especially important when it comes to televoting services because the network is under tremendous pressure to tabulate voting results in a very short time frame."

Net4Call also offers a Virtual PBX solution that is included in Ericsson's Wireless Enterprise Networked Solution (WENS). The Virtual PBX helps small to medium enterprises (SMEs) move from fixed to mobile telephony. WENS focuses on consultancy services but also comprises service such as Virtual Private Network (VPN), Call Attendant, and Service Network solutions such as NRG and Personal Service Environment Manager.

Ericsson launched its first Parlay/OSA application-programming interface solution in 2001 with Net4Call and Telenor. Net4Call provided the Click2Dial concept, which makes it possible to set up a phone call by clicking on a website link.

Ericsson's NRG 3.0 is based on the Parlay/OSA standardized protocol, and runs on Ericsson Telecom Server Platform 4.0 and 4.1. It is an integrator for launching new applications on different networks – PSTN as well as GSM, GPRS and WCDMA. It also enables new types of IT applications that combine the capabilities of telecom networks with the rich interface available for messaging, such as SMS and MMS.

Ericsson's NRG solution and Net4Call’s Televoting service are included in a recently signed contract with a large South American operator. "Ericsson and Net4Call are, at the moment, implementing the Televoting solution," Sonerud says. "It includes the Ericsson NRG and software from Net4Call and Oracle.

"The operator was demanding a service that could make it easier to set up and handle extremely large Televoting events. The Net4Call solution makes it easy to set up a voting event over a web interface."

"The Virtual PBX benefits both operators and enterprises," Sonerud says. "Many SMEs need to find flexible and cost-effective tools for their own communication needs, and to satisfy customer demand.

"By offering a ‘one-phone, one-number and one-voicemail box’ solution, operators can attract both mobile and fixed customers to the same service solution."

Operators can enter a largely untapped SME market by offering the functionality normally found in a PBX, such as Call Attendant, conference calls, call redirect, operator assistance and access to e-mails and calendars

Hendrik Bergstén