Systems integrator Aricent has developed new software for call handoff between cellular and Wi-Fi networks that allows operators to integrate Wi-Fi voice into their cellular footprints without using an unlicensed mobile access (UMA) or IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) architecture.

Called the Service Continuity Server, Aricent unveiled the software platform at NXTcomm last week along with a new cell-site aggregation platform designed to more efficiently use backhaul capacity. The handoff platform contains both a client-side and network-side architecture that detects local Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity options, manages a seamless transition between the two radio networks and automatically handles rules for roaming and mid-call handoff, said Jojo Roy, vice president of corporate marketing for Aricent.

Roy said service providers are faced with a dilemma when it comes to cellular/Wi-Fi convergence. While solutions like UMA exist today, IMS networks will ultimately take over the management of converged networks. Instead of spending on a UMA platform though, Aricent can offer them a way to incorporate Wi-Fi into their voice networks through software in a pre-IMS environment but migrate that solution to IMS as the architecture is more readily deployed, Roy said.