The use of broadband networks to provide telephony services has been the catalyst for the next generation of networks. As operators have begun in earnest to deploy IP-based softswitches, they have realized that VoIP networks are more cost effective to operate and maintain than existing TDM networks. More important, though, is the realization that the deployment of IP-based networks enables operators to rapidly roll-out new services, attract new customers and expand into new markets. The proliferation of broadband access around the world is growing at such a rate that it is creating tremendous potential growth in the broadband telephony market. This market expansion has generated the need for IP-based systems that are hugely scalable, highly reliable and very resilient.
CLASS-5 Broadband Telephony or Voice over Broadband (or VoBB) is often defined simply as voice services offered over broadband Internet connections. While this is true, the implications of VoBB for residential subscribers, enterprises and carriers extend far beyond just putting telephony services over data lines. The integration of telephony and the Internet is enabling the future of communications and blurring the differences between voice and data messaging. VoBB is a critical step in increasing the capabilities, effectiveness and accessibility of today’s communications systems. VoBB adds greater usability to new and traditional features while making high-end business features more affordable and available to residential and SOHO subscribers. With a web interface to personal services, telephony reaches a whole new level of flexibility. All of the revolutionary capabilities can now be offered with basic service at a considerably lower cost, with offerings that include flat rate pricing and bundled packages.
The capabilities of modern VoBB systems are already impressive and there is little doubt that this is only the beginning. As communications systems advance and data networks become more pervasive worldwide, the integration of voice communications and the Internet will continue to fuel the creation of innovative features and services that are cost-effective for both carriers and subscribers.
The Verscom VoBB Solution
The Verscom VoBB (Voice over Broadband) solution is a turnkey, software-based solution designed for service providers deploying primary and secondary line voice services over broadband networks, which also constitutes a generic broadband service delivery foundation to offer new services. With the Verscom VoBB Solution, carriers can offer their customers seamless communications without incurring the expense of platforms that become obsolete as new services, protocols and devices are introduced. The solution is designed to help operators optimize their network, offer exciting new IP-based services, distinguish themselves from their competition and, most importantly, reach previously untapped revenue sources.
The Verscom VoBB Solution is an “access-agnostic” solution: Any kind of broadband access method –WiMAX, WiFi, xDSL, 3G- with any kind of end-device - IP phones, ATA enabled analog phones, hybrid phones, IADs- is supported. Our solution also provides seamless integration back to the PSTN/PLMN and supports IP-based supplementary and enhanced features. Another significant benefit is the power to combine it with solution offerings such as messaging, conferencing, P2P SIP communities, fixed-mobile convergence and many others.
Designed to provide voice communications over a network using IP, the Verscom VoBB Solution line compromises CLASS-5 broadband telephony application, service creation environment, access session border controller, and associated billing, provisioning, and service management operations support systems, with the breadth of rich features, reliability, scalability and capacity needed to deliver the reality of converged services and applications. Behind the scenes, it allows service providers to meet stringent regulatory requirements with CALEA-compliant call intercept functions and 911 integration. Service providers can deploy the service using either prepaid or postpaid billing mechanisms to match their market strategy and business model.
Verscom VoBB Solution Benefits
Delivers Key Line-side Calling Features: Supports many popular line-side features, including caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, anonymous call blocking, and voice mail. The result is a PSTN-like subscriber experience.
Meets Key Regulatory Requirements: Allowing law enforcement agencies to "wiretap" voice calls is a critical compliance requirement.
100% Software Implementation: The breadth of functionality and flexibility inherent in the VoBB foundation software platform architecture enables a rich set of features. This eliminates the need to deploy dedicated hardware such as border elements, DSP-based IP media servers, and additional computers for line-side call control softswitches. All of the software components run on Linux-based hardware, making it very cost-effective and straightforward to maintain. With the service creation environment incorporated in the solution, both new service features and customizations can be quickly developed to meet specific market requirements.
Scalable Carrier-grade Solution for High-density Markets — The solution allows service providers to reach high-density consumer markets from the start, through the high availability features that use sophisticated redundancy schemes to avoid single points of failure and as well as graceful, linear scaling features.
Sophisticated Billing Support: For postpaid services, SQL relational databases maintain CDRs that can be output to any billing system format, easing integration with legacy billing platforms. For prepaid services, accounts are debited during the call, eliminating the potential for fraud through real-time rating engine.
Wholesale Model: Supports multiple hosted value-added services running side-by-side on industry standard hardware.
