TELECOM SWITCH: It's Overhaul Time Folks

The debate between TDM circuit-switch and IP softswitch is over. Even the

largest circuit switch vendors have come around to saying that IP is the way to

go. However, what remains an interesting point for debate is how to get to the

next-generation telecom network. Should operators deploy softswitches at all

levels of the network and start providing IP telephony services at once? Or,

should they go in for a phased transition from a TDM infrastructure, starting by

implementing softswitches at the core of the network and then expanding to the

rest of the network?

Technology Comparison

n Core Switch:

There is no excuse for operators not to deploy softswitches at the core

level of the telecom network. One, there is no point building parallel

infrastructure for voice and data. IP is best in the wide area paradigm, with

its ability to route traffic dynamically without reserving dedicated bandwidth

for individual calls or applications.

The incumbent carriers have implemented ATM equipment on the core side of the

network to carry the voice traffic while data traffic were segregated and sent

over a routed IP backbone which was basically there for that specific purpose.

So it basically meant having parallel networks for voice and data. This by today’s

technological capabilities is unnecessary and only adds up to expenditure. The

new operators who are building new infrastructures need not emulate the

incumbents. Softswitches, when used for voice traffic at the point of

aggregation which is at the middle of the core layer and the access layer of the

network, removes the need of an ATM layer for transport. The same routed network

being used for backhauling IP data traffic can now be used for IP voice traffic

as well. This scenario is all the more realistic now that MPLS has drastically

improved the quality of service in IP backbones. Now, an MPLS network can see to

it that transport of a voice IP packet can be prioritized over other kinds of IP

packets. Of course, there is the worry about having to interconnect with the

incumbent’s network. And the incumbent is largely TDM.

The incumbents chose to go for a separate network for Internet-based services

a few years ago. IP had then not matured and the Internet was purely an

unreliable medium. But IP equipment is now more reliable while IP-based services

have today become the only way for operators to reverse the dwindling ARPU

trend.

n Access

Switch: Telephones would remain TDM-based at the subscriber end for a long

time, till IP phones become far cheaper than today. So, mostly one would need

circuit switches to terminate the last mile voice traffic. Primarily, Class 5

switches are deployed at the access level of the network. Class 5 switches are

the switches that terminates the calls and provides various kinds of value-added

services to the subscribers, apart from plain telephone calls. Soft switches are

yet to match the Class 5 service features. There is talk of Class 5 softswitches,

but these are still in the development stage. Until there is matching service

capabilities, the access switches will remain TDM-based.

Buying Tips

A wide range of calling features and reliability up to the five 9 levels are

a must for public telephone services. Needless to say, the switch has to

carrier-grade, engineered to operate under heavy traffic loads and harsh

conditions. It will be better to check if the equipment is tested and already

operating with live customers.

n Capability

and Manageability: Since switching is a long-term investment, operators want

to put in their money on a long-term basis. And price is a function of such

factors as per line cost of equipment, the services that can be operated by the

equipment, interoperability, scalability, ease-of-operation and manageability.

n Beyond the

Cost: True, the cost of the equipment is a critical factor in equipment

procurement. However, if the purchased equipment requires a long installation

period and/or if technical support is not available onsite, the benefits of the

new equipment are not realized. Thus, it is very important to work with a vendor

with a proven track record for timely and customized technical support.

n State-of-the-art

Technologies: India having very low teledensity, there is a huge opportunity

to adapt new technology, as legacy infrastructure is still low. Operators should

look for the latest technology in the market which is able to evolve to the next

generation networks without much investment in opex and capex. This helps the

operator to offer new services.

n Multi-service

Capability: Switch should be multi-service and capable for multiple network

application simultaneously (local, transit, mobile). Ensure that the switch is

based on an open architecture that eliminates dependence on suppliers for new

products and services.

Market Information

n Circuit

Switch: Alcatel, Siemens and Fujitsu are active in the major BSNL/MTNL

contracts for its basic telephony wireline exchanges. The local companies

include ITI and HFCL. Motorola, Lucent, Ericsson, and Nokia have played a major

role in ushering in the cellular telephony networks of India. With the arrival

of CDMA, the Asian brigade too arrived, in the form of Hyundai, LG, ZTE and

Samsung.

n VoIP Switch:

According to Synergy Research Group, in the carrier VoIP market segment,

Sonus, Cisco and CommWorks were the market leaders. Vendors which helped drive

revenue growth in the quarter included Sonus, Cisco, and Telica. In India,

Vocaltec leads the VoIP deployment. Cisco has been busy in this space for some

time. UTStarcom is the new significant player in the Indian horizon. Worldwide,

it is the leading softswitch vendor. Having acquired Commsworks just recently,

its presence in India for this market is further strengthened. Other new

companies are Veraz, Audiocodes, Sonus, Nuera and Arelnet. The TDM switch

vendors too are heard talking of softswitches these days.

EXPERTS PANEL

Alon Weinstein, country manager (India), Vocaltec Communications

Sudhir Chopra, GM (voice network division), Alcatel India

Sunil Kulkarni, GM (marketing and business development), GTSS, Motorola