HERZLIA, Israel -- Schema, a leading global provider of network optimization software solutions, announced today the launch of Ultima Mentor for UMTS networks , the first UMTS optimization solution based on actual network usage. Schema's Mentor revolutionizes network optimization by analyzing real information generated by subscribers' mobile handsets, delivering an accurate and comprehensive view of the network and service quality in near real time, enabling operators to achieve and sustain peak network performance and improve the end user experience. Ultima Mentor's launch for UMTS operators follows a year of worldwide implementation of Maxima Mentor for CDMA/EVDO networks.

Since Ultima Mentor's initial launch, UMTS operators have still been optimizing their networks with limited accuracy, relying on predictions and simulated signal strength propagations. Traditional network analyses include costly drive tests, walking tests, and lengthy data compilations yielding cumbersome and cost prohibitive results that only give a partial, estimated view of the network. With Mentor, operators can now see an accurate view of their entire network including in-building traffic, using live data generated from subscribers' handsets. This allows operators to view revenue-yielding hot spots as well as areas of service degradation in near real-time. Ultima Mentor proactively sustains network performance and as a result increases network MOU and ARPU, reduces operational costs and capital expenditures, and increases customer satisfaction.

"Mentor is the first wideband network optimization product that turns information from subscribers’ handsets into real knowledge that helps maintain network utilization at optimal levels, saving operators significant time and reducing both OpEx and CapEx," said Avshalom Ben-Zoor, Schema's VP Marketing. "Having a near real-time picture of the network rather than a prediction or just a sample of the network will help operators maximize network performance and customer experience. This streamlined process enables operators to optimize their networks more easily and more frequently, yielding ongoing improved call quality, diminished dropped and blocked calls, and churn prevention."

Schema Ltd.