July 21, 2011

Taqua Buys Tatara Systems

By Paula Bernier
Executive Editor, TMC

In an effort to address the small cell phenomenon in a bigger way, Taqua (News - Alert) LLC has acquired Tatara Systems. The acquired is an Acton, Mass.-based outfit that sells SIP-based mobile telephony convergence solutions and, according to Taqua, is the leader in femtocell convergence servers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“The addition of Tatara’s Convergence (News - Alert) Server platform and femtocell convergence application software fits nicely with our wireless media gateway and small cell backhaul efforts,” says Taqua CEO Eric Pratt. “While important from a product diversification standpoint, it’s also key for Taqua from a corporate perspective as it broadens our go to market channels and establishes Taqua’s solutions within tier one wireless carriers.” 

The TCS, which going forward will be referred to as the TCS6100 Convergence Server, already is in use in production networks – including the largest and fastest growing femtocell deployment to date.

The product is in use at Sprint (News - Alert) via integrator Ericsson. Two other service providers also are now deploying the Tatara/Taqua solution.

While the server is based on CDMA technology, the vendor is looking at LTE, which will be important to help it appeal to companies such as Verizon (News - Alert), a target prospect.

In pre-IMS networks, the product is an application server operating as a SIP-MSC/IWF. In IMS networks it operates as a SIP application server. Whatever the implementation, it delivers a consistent experience across wireless and wireline networks from the end user perspective.

Taqua plans to sell the TCS6100 both ala carte and as part of larger solutions including Taqua’s existing femtocell gateway offering, called the T7000 Intelligent Switching System, which performs the MG/MGCF/MRF functions.

Best known for its next-generation Class 5 switches, Taqua has been focusing on femtocells and small cells for some time now, says Scott Weidenfeller, chief marketing officer. The acquisition of Tatara brings additional products into the fold, he says, and is a really nice match in term of channel partners.

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Edited by Jennifer Russell