In telecommunications, the convergence of networks has rapidly evolved from “future possibility” to “inevitable outcome.” As competitors from non-traditional markets like cable and the Internet enter the telephony market, incumbents face a dual challenge: to improve both the economies of their business and the underlying offer. To meet market demand, service providers are now evaluating and deploying new network technology centered on a VoIP-based core that can support a variety of new IP services while continuing to provide legacy access. It’s the power of packet-voice technologies that allows carriers to reduce network costs, increase network capacity and deliver the multimedia experience of tomorrow.
The real evolution won’t begin until IP-voice reaches the individual subscriber, and that means bringing it all the way to the edge of the network. The Class 5 PSTN Emulation is an attractive—and future-proof— migration path for today’s PSTN/ISDN operators. The Class 5 PSTN Emulation solution does that by replacing existing legacy Class 5 switches with scalable and advanced IP-voice solution. The result is end-to-end IP that squeezes more cost out of the network and delivers a richer user experience addressing the need to roll out new IP-based and multimedia rich services while retaining and maximizing legacy TDM networks. This approach can be the best way to sustain and grow fixed-line services without a complex, end-to-end IMS network upgrade.
The Verscom Class 5 PSTN Emulation Solution
The Verscom Class 5 PSTN Emulation solution line enables carriers to replace existing Class 5 networks. Our unique IP-based architecture combines full-featured call control with supplementary telephony applications, centralized routing intelligence with an unlimited, scalable network. The resulting network simultaneously supports the legacy equipment of the past, the IP core of the present and the IMS-compliant world of the future, through PSTN migration, network consolidation, line growth and end-user migration and providing the required services for each application.
The evolution of our clients’ legacy PSTN/ISDN networks towards packet-switched Class 5 networks adopts one of two very distinct approaches for:
- Replacing legacy PSTN/ISDN switching equipment but still supporting the current embedded base of subscriber terminals. The emulation service provides the same service offerings and user experience as existing telecommunications switches. A defining characteristic of a PSTN emulation system is its ability to support existing legacy PSTN/ISDN terminals or telephones either directly or through a terminal adapter.
- Using a PSTN simulation service in which the delivery of multimedia services is supported in a 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to fixed networks. These services are similar to today’s PSTN/ISDN network but are accessed through a non-legacy multimedia terminal, which may mean an intelligent user device such as a set-top box, computer or SIP-enabled phone. Consequently, the simulation service user interface may be slightly different from that of the legacy PSTN/ISDN service.
Benefits of Verscom Class 5 PSTN Emulation Solutions
Below are benefits carriers can derive by deploying Verscom Class 5 PSTN Emulation:
- By replacing legacy switches with Verscom’s advanced IP service and service control architecture, carriers can reduce their energy consumption and storage costs substantially while freeing technical staff to work on new, revenue-generating initiatives.
- NGN network typically flattens a hierarchical network, reducing the number of central offices or switching centers and the size of the equipment deployed in the remaining centers.
- There may be a reduction in OPEX that goes beyond the power savings. While many operating functions associated with customer management stay the same, the cost of managing a smaller equipment footprint can be significant.
- While also enabling service providers to serve existing customers through existing terminal equipment, Verscom Class 5 migration platform enables an abundance of new services and applications by merely adding a network element or enabling software.
As carriers plan for the voice network of tomorrow, when combined with Verscom Service Delivery Platform Solution, the Verscom Class 5 PSTN Emulation solution provides the final piece in an end-to-end IP network that combines voice, data and media for delivery of bundled services like triple-play telephone, P2P video and Internet. Legacy features are still supported on traditional, non-IP phones, but more advanced users can now take advantage of cutting-edge features like unified e-mail/voicemail messaging, video conferencing and more.
