Subex Azure launches Nikira

Subex Azure Ltd on November 20, 2007 announced the launch of Nikira™ V6.1, the latest version of its leading Fraud Management system with enhanced roaming fraud management capabilities in accordance with the NRTRDE standard guideline laid down by the GSM Association.

Part of the Rocware™ suite of Revenue Maximization solutions, Nikira V6.1 with an added NRTRDE module will now help operators to not only meet the October 2008 deadline set by the GSM Association for NRTRDE data transmission, but also to take advantage of the new data format by performing near-real time fraud detection. It may be noted that International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF), a form of roaming fraud, has one of the highest revenue impact on operators today.

Mark Nicholson, Chief Technology Officer of the Company said, "Nikira V6.1 is designed to protect operators who are rapidly expanding their subscriber base and new service bundles in multiple ways. Our close association with the GSM Fraud Forum has helped us keep abreast with cutting edge technology changes whilst also being in tune with key operator concerns in the next generation network environment. We are committed to work with the industry in partnership so that together we can take fraud management to the next level of advancement."

The new features & benefits available in Nikira V6.1 are:

- Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE): NRTRDE is a mandate by the GSMA to replace the current High Usage Reporting (HUR) by October 2008. NRTRDE allows for the delivery of roaming CDRs with basic call information to be delivered to the home network within four hours. With Nikira V6.1, users have the flexibility of analysing NRTRDE records to make quick decisions on fraudulent activity, without taking away the advantage of analysing existing TAP files for further fraud analysis.

- Multi Level Account Hierarchy (MLH): Nikira V6.1 extends the concept of accounts to support a hierarchy of multiple accounts within a single parent account. As operators package high value service bundles targeted at specialized group of customers, MLH will help them realize the full benefit of increased revenue through granular monitoring of such customer groups. The key benefits of this feature are:

- Easier identification of related accounts, even with differing payment responsible entities

- Improved control over 'groups' of users within large accounts

- Simpler identification of payment responsible entities

- Easier support for Reseller and Billed-on-Behalf-of customers

- Similar account representation between billing system and Fraud Management System

Nikira helps wireline and wireless telecom operators to detect and investigate both traditional and next-generation frauds in order to prevent revenue leakage. The Global Operator Attitudes to Revenue Management Survey 2007, conducted by UK based telecom analyst firm Analysys, revealed that average fraud losses, arising out of external and internal fraud as well as fraud by other operators, has grown to 4.5% this year from 2.9% of turnover last year.

Nikira V6.1 is market ready.