How Syniverse's Roaming Testing Ensured Connectivity at the Paris Olympics

As Paris prepared to host an influx of 15.3 million visitors for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics earlier this summer — more than seven times its population — mobile network operators (MNOs) faced a connectivity challenge of unmatched proportions.

Athletes, coaches, reporters, dignitaries, and spectators descended upon the French capital, eager to share once-in-a-lifetime experiences from iconic venues like the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and Palace of Versailles. These travelers didn't want to encounter issues that prevented them from connecting to French networks and their friends and family back home.

Recognizing that this increased traffic volume may present interoperability obstacles, two major North American MNOs confronted a critical question: How could they ensure their subscribers would roam effortlessly with reliable, uninterrupted connectivity throughout one of the world's largest and most high-profile events?

To reach this goal, these MNOs turned to longtime partner Syniverse. As an IP exchange (IPX) provider with over 800 customers worldwide and a team dedicated to rigorous interoperability testing, Syniverse was poised to rapidly deliver the quality assurance these North American MNOs expected — and their subscribers demanded.

Testing roaming on a global scale

As Paris transformed into the epicenter of international cooperation and competition, MNOs worldwide had to perform their own Olympic feat — connecting with their counterparts in France with precision and reliability.

However, the logistics of conducting on-site tests in Paris posed significant difficulties. Unable to shuttle SIM cards across the Atlantic, Syniverse undertook a remote testing strategy that replicated what millions of travelers would encounter.

Syniverse's Global Services team used a SIM multiplexer to test multiple device profiles and various mobile phone models to see how they would behave on French networks. By simulating LTE, outbound VoLTE, inbound and outbound circuit-switched fallback, inbound and outbound SMS, and inbound and outbound SMS over IP services across 1,091 tests held during anticipated peak usage hours in France, Syniverse validated whether these North American MNOs' subscribers would encounter any issues.

This proactive approach proved invaluable. Before testing even began, and more than a week prior to the start of the Olympics, Syniverse addressed a challenge with VoLTE roaming that could have affected millions of subscribers visiting Paris. The issue stemmed from a unique encryption requirement by one of the North American MNOs that conflicted with a French operator's standard practices.

Syniverse reviewed the MNO’s roaming agreement, reviewed network configurations, and identified the root cause of the problem. It then provided a detailed analysis to the MNO, including failed test results, and identified several parameters that needed to be updated to enable functionality. Syniverse remediated this issue within three days despite its complexity, and all subsequent tests passed consistently.

This process underscored the value of collaboration between MNOs and IPX providers and offered tangible insights into the importance of preparing for large-scale events well before they begin. It reinforced the need for thorough network stress testing while proving that simulated methods can be effective. The VoLTE misconfiguration also demonstrated that minor oversights can have major consequences for MNOs and their customers.

By optimizing all network configurations and swiftly resolving potential issues, Syniverse confirmed that the two North American MNOs' subscribers could roam seamlessly in Paris.

Insights gained through collaborative testing

Just as athletes fine-tuned their approach in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, Syniverse's meticulous preparation helped its partners achieve a flawless performance when the lights shined brightest.

This effort demonstrated the importance of proactive quality assurance before large-scale events, regardless of whether they're sporting spectacles, cultural festivals, or global expositions. Syniverse efficiently carried out roaming interoperability tests that conformed to GSMA standards, monitored the MNOs' network performance, and quickly pinpointed any connectivity problems. 

With its considerable technical expertise, Syniverse understands the complexities of ensuring seamless international connectivity. It can collaborate with any MNO to validate roaming agreements and identify opportunities to expand its roaming business, all while giving the carrier peace of mind and allowing it to focus on other priorities.

As we become increasingly interconnected, the demand for reliable mobile service becomes more vital. Don't let your subscribers down when they travel abroad. Contact Syniverse today to discover how our expertise can elevate your roaming capabilities to world-class standards and prepare you for any event.