SAN BRUNO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/06/13 -- Devicescape today announced that its Curated Virtual Network (CVN) of amenity Wi-Fi hotspots -- the largest in the world -- doubled during 2012 and is expected to grow from 12 million access points today to 100 million by the end of 2017. Spurred by Devicescape's patented Curator machine-learning technology and a growing list of mobile operator customers, device partners, and active subscribers, the company modeled the CVN's future size by analyzing growth patterns in conjunction with a detailed multi-country study including, but not limited to, the deployed-device-to-CVN-access-point discovery ratio, open versus secured hotspot ratios and the pace and actual growth in the number of amenity Wi-Fi hotspots occurring worldwide.

Just in the past six months, mobile operators Republic Wireless, U.S. Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Bouygues Telecom and Flash Wireless, and device partners Intel and Microsoft have signed on to benefit from Devicescape's rapidly expanding CVN. By leveraging the Devicescape CVN and the Wi-Fi Offload Service, the operators have been able to expand the capacity-reach of their network footprint virtually overnight and elevate the end-user experience to offer far more data to their customers at the lowest possible cost of delivery. Microsoft and Intel have also endorsed the Devicescape service by offering breakthrough connectivity solutions to their customers. Powered by Devicescape CVN data, Microsoft already launched the Data Sense application for Windows Phone 8 devices being used exclusively by Verizon in the U.S.

"Amenity Wi-Fi is an irreversible mega-trend and, increasingly, mobile operators are adding it to their heterogeneous network strategies," said Dave Fraser, CEO of Devicescape. "As more venue owners offer complimentary Wi-Fi to their customers, operators have identified Wi-Fi as a key asset that can help elevate customer experience, magnify their mobile network and serve as a platform for offering new, creative services."

As Devicescape continues to work with operators to identify the most efficient ways to deliver data services, the company has recognized the need for services that go beyond Wi-Fi offload to address wireless operators' unique network needs. Devicescape's next generation Curator Service comprises three elements: the Curator Service Platform, Curator Client for automatic Intelligent Network Selection and the world's largest Curated Virtual Network of Wi-Fi hotspots. The combination of these three elements makes it possible to both elevate the customer experience and magnify the capacity-reach of their network by more than ten times.

"Mobile operators need a public Wi-Fi strategy," said Sue Rudd, Director of Service Provider Analysis at Strategy Analytics. "As operators look for ways to integrate Wi-Fi into their heterogeneous network strategies, they need not only to automate and simplify the connection to the biggest network of all -- the vast network of Wi-Fi hotspots that have already been built as an amenity for consumers -- but also to ensure that their subscribers go only to those that deliver a good Quality of Experience (QoE). Devicescape's Curator Service offers operators an opportunity to do both today."

The Curator Service addresses a growing trend of delivering an "always best connected" experience over heterogeneous networks, including macro-cellular and small cells with Wi-Fi. The curation process carefully and dynamically selects the best network based on operator polices and end-user preferences, effectively delivering a customized CVN for each operator. The Curator Service is distinguished from the earlier Offload Service based on more advanced Curator QoE techniques, intelligent radio management based on user behavior and network conditions, and algorithms for optimizing high-quality secure and open Wi-Fi connections.

"Moving into 2013, we expect to see significant international growth as operators around the globe strategize the best options to capitalize on mobile data demand and consider the ongoing challenge of retaining and growing a customer base that has ever increasing expectations for service availability, quality, and affordability," said Fraser.

During the past two years, the CVN grew tremendously to capacity-reach levels far surpassing any other single wireless network in the world. In countries such as the U.S., where Devicescape customers have large-scale deployments, the CVN already exceeds 10 million access points and shows no signs of slowing down. In other countries, such as many in Europe where trials are transitioning to deployments, the CVN count has already hit impressive levels. Based on the trajectory and consumer uptake experienced in the more mature regions and adjusted for each individual country based on local growth patterns, Devicescape anticipates these numbers will catapult ahead as the number of active users will quickly rise and discover (identify and select) the widely available amenity Wi-Fi. Over the next year, Devicescape plans to expand aggressively in Europe and a few other select regions. The company predicts that by the end of 2017 the total number of European hotspots in the CVN will stand at 26 million; the percentage outside the U.S. will stand at 74%.

Devicescape will be exhibiting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at Stand 2A105 in Hall 2 from February 25-28, 2013. The company's Curator Service has been shortlisted for the GSMA's 2013 Global Mobile Awards for "Best Cloud Based Technology for Mobile"; winners will be announced at the show on Tuesday, February 26. For more information or to book a briefing with Devicescape to view demonstrations of the Curator Service at the show, please contact Devicescape@engagepr.com. Follow Mobile World Congress and Devicescape's activity on Twitter at @GSMA and @Devicescape and through the official hashtag, #MWC13.

About Devicescape
Devicescape moves beyond Wi-Fi Offload and uniquely combines intelligent network selection with the world's largest curated virtual network of high-quality Wi-Fi hotspots. This enables mobile operators to magnify their capacity-reach and elevate the "always best connected" experience. Headquartered in San Bruno, California, Devicescape is privately held by leading venture capital companies including Kleiner Perkins Caufield& Byers, August Capital, JAFCO Ventures, and Enterprise Partners. For more information go online to www.devicescape.com.

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