LS/CA – Living Systems^® Connection Agent

Whitestein Technologies' GSMA award-winning LS/CA client solution unlocks next generation seamless mobility. Delivering superior handover capabilities, security and self-management features, LS/CA helps operators increase data services ARPU, network ROI and customer loyalty, while keeping support and maintenance costs down.

Client access solutions based on LS/CA allow users to connect at the click of a single button. The built-in connection manager takes care of access network selection and configuration based on policies minimizing connection setup time. A small number of buttons allow users to launch additional applications such as an email client or a web browser – making sure appropriate connectivity is available first.

LS/CA supports all state of the art access network technologies such as

• GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
• EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution)
• UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System)
• HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)
• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
• ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• POTS (Plain Old Telephony Services)

Public WLAN Hotspot authentication based on HTTP/XML or EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is supported. In addition latest security features as defined by IEEE 802.11i and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) including support for IEEE 802.1x are provided (requires hardware support).

Future Proof

LS/CA is built on the firm belief, that end-users take advantage of a combination of several access technologies and multiple providers. Combining 2/2.5/3G technologies with public and/or private WLAN is already today a common scenario for many travelers.

Therefore, LS/CA supports the integration of seamless handover solutions for loose coupling of networks enabling WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) or MOs (Mobile Operators) to provide a comprehensive data service offering for todays or tomorrows mobile users.

Loosely coupled networks have minimal impact on existing infrastructure and network architecture and require minimal investment reducing risks for providing services across multiple network technologies.

Seamless handover allows to switch from one access technology to another without disrupting active network connections, e.g., access to an email or corporate file server. The built-in connection manager takes care of selecting the best network available, whereas "best" is defined by the user's policies.

Main Benefits

The main benefits of client network access solutions based on LS/CA are:

• Ease of use of various access networks for increased user satisfaction and increased usage of data services.
• Policy based one click connection enables novice users to take advantage of data services and reduces the need for customer care.
• Focus on combined usage of several networks and network technologies allows Mobile Operators to pursue a combined 3G and WLAN strategy.
• Integration of seamless handover facilities allows Mobile Operators to implement a strategy based on multiple, combined network technologies with minimal impact on the network architecture.
• Customization and branding features allow WISPs and MOs to target different customer segments.

Special Features

LS/CA is based on a modular architecture for easy customization, integration and extension.

• Complete change of the graphical design of the user interface allows WISPs and MOs to create their own specially branded software solution.
• Well defined interfaces allow integration with other third party applications for enhanced end-user experience.
• Prepared software hooks allow for adding additional non-standard functionality easily.
• The Online Software Platform provides automatic updates of the software and therefor enables end-users to upgrade without hassle.
• The Online Software Platform provides operators with configurable statistics on installed user count and other important data.