Vasona Networks

Vasona Networks, Inc. operated as a provider of software solutions for mobile network optimization and edge computing, targeting mobile network operators as its primary clientele. The company was founded in 2010 by Biren Sood, Joe Babic, and Nery Strasman, with its headquarters in San Jose, California, and research and development offices in Tel Aviv, Israel. Vasona Networks aimed to address the challenges of mobile network congestion driven by the increasing use of data-heavy applications. The business model centered on selling its software platforms and services to global mobile operators, enabling them to improve network performance, manage traffic, and enhance the subscriber experience, thus reducing customer churn.

The company secured a total of $48 million in funding over several rounds, with key investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, New Venture Partners, and NexStar Partners. This capital was utilized to expand its international deployments and further its research and development efforts. A significant milestone was the launch of its flagship product, the SmartAIR1000 edge application controller, which provided real-time visibility and control over data traffic at the cell level of a network. This platform allowed for dynamic bandwidth allocation based on application needs and congestion levels. Vasona also offered the SmartVISION analysis suite for insights into application activity and the SmartAIR Edge Services Platform, which virtualized its offerings. These products were designed to help operators manage the transition towards 5G by deploying Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) solutions.

In September 2018, Vasona Networks was acquired by ZephyrTel, a software company under the portfolio of ESW Capital, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition was part of ZephyrTel's strategy to build a comprehensive software and SaaS solutions portfolio for the telecommunications industry. Following the acquisition, Vasona was set to continue operating under its own brand name within the ZephyrTel group. Its technology was deployed in over 150,000 3G and LTE cells across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, demonstrating its capability to increase network capacity efficiency.

Keywords: mobile network optimization, edge computing, RAN, traffic management, mobile operators, MEC, 5G transition, network performance, subscriber experience, cell congestion, bandwidth allocation, ZephyrTel, network analytics, telecom software, SmartAIR, edge application controller, mobile data traffic, virtualized network function, network resource management, quality of experience