'All-IP Network: An Evergreen Technology'

Today the role of IP has taken a whole new turn. While initially it was thought that the change would primarily be from IPv4 to IPv6, with emerging technologies like 3G, 4G, BWA and LTE, an all-IP network is the next best thing having the ability to employ older technologies like VoIP alongside newer technologies on a single all-IP network, leading to cost savings and added efficiency, as well as seamless migration, flexibility and scalabiltity.

With cloud computing gaining importance in today's data-congested networks, a cloud based solution on an all-IP platform is something that most service providers like BT, Tata Communications, Tulip Telecom, Cisco and Ericsson, among others are offering. Ericsson recently announced a new generation IP networking portfolio to accelerate mobile broadband growth, video and cloud services and M2M. As part of this new portfolio, Ericsson will launch several new solutions during 2011, the first of these being the Ericsson Smart Services Router (SSR). It will also form the basis of the new mobile core network needed in 4G/LTE deployments.

With large scale deployment of the current 3G network in India, networks will have to shift from a traditional TDM to an all-IP platform. As part of their mobile backhaul solution, Cisco offers an IP based RAN that helps the operators transform their legacy SDH infrastructure to an all-IP any media, any radio for any generations (2G, 3G, 4G). Cisco has also released the first line of Cisco Unified IP Phones that have cameras built into the devices, offering customers an easy, affordable way to readily adopt and deploy video communications.

An all-IP BTS is also gaining popularity today with newer and emerging technologies, and Huawei's NGN SingleRAN 4th generation multi-platform all-IP solutions enable the convergence of RANs, providing a smooth evolution to 3G and LTE, with NGN-ready equipments for quick deployment and network upgrade with distributed architecture. This solution has been deployed by leading operators in India and abroad.

Going forward, SIP will play a central role in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), with a family of protocols which is supposed to define the architecture of NGN mobile networks capable of streaming various kinds of text, voice, and video data to mobile phone subscribers even as they roam between networks. Matrix Comsec have categorized all their products into two segments-IP-PBXs and Gateways. Matrix SETU range of VoIP gateways start with single-port ATAs and extend up to 128 ports. Another range of modular gateways scale to 512 IP channels and offer universal interfaces like GSM/3G, T1/E1/PRI, BRI, FXS/FXO. All of Matrix VoIP products are based on open-standard SIP protocol, providing multi-vendor interoperability.

An all-IP based network will also provide a combination of fixed and mobile access to meet all customer needs. It will be able to deliver context-specific services according to the user profile and location, the device, and the application's requirements. Not only will this bring more value to the user, but also differentiate the operator's offering from over-the-top services. NSN recently secured a contract with TTSL to supply its market leading FlexiHybrid microwave radio to efficiently support both legacy TDM and newer IP traffic on a single platform.

Finally, an all-IP network will also be helpful in deploying broadband on a large scale in rural areas, where physical connectivity is a major hurdle. An all-IP network that offers voice and video, with WiMax bandwidth will be beneficial in these areas. Star Solutions offers an all-IP CDMA network and radio access equipment to deploy and manage voice traffic over IP-based connections and to support CDMA radio resources deployed using terrestrial or future satellite-based connectivity. The solution also supports broadband wireless data service delivery via EV-DO Rev. This solution has been deployed in rural areas abroad for its low-cost IP-based wireless telephony and data services.

Beryl M
berylm@cybermedia.co.in