Bridgewater Systems - Casual User

Opportunity
Increase revenue by offering data services to casual users such as travellers looking to access services while roaming out of their home network, and to existing subscribers who want access to services on a casual basis.

Situation

High usage of Internet services in hotels and city hotspots demonstrates demand for casual access.
Issues accessing data services through hotspots include lack of range of service, level of connection security, and having to register for the service at every hotspot.
Existing customers may be reluctant to subscribe to data services as they do not want to be tied down by additional charges for a long term data.

Challenges

Getting casual users up and running quickly and with minimal provisioning effort.
Offering flexible metered plans for subscribers who are reluctant to register for long term data contracts.
Customers looking for better options and greater flexibility than Wi-Fi services while on the move.

Potential Impact

Lost revenue opportunities.
Increased churn when customers go to service providers who can offer flexible service offerings.

Solution: Casual Data Services

The Bridgewater® Policy Controller enables service providers to capitalize on this opportunity. Service providers can offer customers access to temporary data services, enabled through a web-based self-service portal. The new service can take effect immediately or as part of a time-based service controlled by the user.

By offering on-demand temporary access to data services, customer can get a chance to experience data services without having to sign up to long term contracts. This not only satisfies subscriber’s data requirements but also allows them to make a more informed decision about whether they would like to become a full time subscriber.

Solution Benefits

Control operating expenses
Increase customer satisfaction
Increase revenue

Reduce strain on customer service representatives with self-service options.
Let customers use the data services that they want when they need them.
Drive additional revenue from new users.
Increase average revenues per user (ARPU) from casual subscriber usage

The Bridgewater Systems Advantage

Incremental to subscription-based offerings – drives incremental ARPU from users who would not typically subscribe to traditional plans.
Allows subscribers to try a broadband experience on a limited basis – target new subscriber segments with promotions.
Enables service providers to compete with traditional Wi-Fi services – airports, hotels, metro areas.
Allows user to be truly mobile without having to re-register every time they go to a new hotspot – enables wider coverage than Wi-Fi.
Reduce revenue leakage by taking action as usage threshold is reaching in mid-session.

Solution Components
The Bridgewater® Service Controller
The Bridgewater® Policy Controller (PCRF)