The pandemic has accelerated adoption of VoIP technologies. The number of users is expected to exceed 3 billion by 2021. This is good news for VoIP service providers to ramp up infrastructure to meet escalating demand. One such item to consider is the class 4 softswitch.
Softswitch – a class divided
The world may decry class at social levels but in the world of telecom it is class based hierarchy all the way. Class 4 softswitch probably are at the top of the pecking order based on the fact that they do the “heavy lifting” of handling bulk transnational VoIP traffic plus PSTN traffic. Telecom operators and VoIP service providers may look down their noses at class 5 softswitch that handles the retail end, a segment that is growing by leaps and bounds and one that you seriously need to consider. Then there are others such as class 4 to handle international gateway and class 2 and 3 to connect cities and towns. The usual way is to keep these softswitches segregated according to type and intended purpose of use. However, class lines are blurring.
A modern perspective
In today’s VoIP world where traffic comprises of data, rich media and video apart from voice, it would be old fashioned to keep functionalities of softswitch solutions limited to their class. Class 4 softswitch is expected to play the role of handling bulk traffic across geographical boundaries. You have minor distinctions in the way the softswitch is developed and these affect the quantum of traffic the softswitch can handle. For instance, carrier grade class 4 softswitches are meant to handle mammoth amounts of traffic without blinking. Telecom operators and VoIP service providers usually opt for this type of softswitch solution to have ample bandwidth to scale up in case of demand. If soft switches are meant to serve specific purpose, there is a positive side in that it can do its job exceedingly well.
The other side of the coin is that today’s world demands more in VoIP infrastructure. You, as a telecom operator, should be open to welcoming retail traffic. It is also your prime responsibility to assure interoperability and highest levels of security. This entails investments in class 5 softswitches and session border controllers, each a special purpose solution to handle specific tasks. Now, you can look forward to modern super softswitch solution that will carry features of all without affecting core functionality.
The super softswitch
Telecom operators may need carrier grade attributes such as scalability, uptime and integration with other products or with other features such as least cost routing, billing and monitoring. However, the future and the present dictate a bit of diversification. While focused operators may stick with pure class 4 functions, more enterprising VoIP service providers may gather in retail customers and opt for a super softswitch solution that includes features of class 5 softswitch as well. Softswitch developers can customize it for you. Along with this you could get options such as access to emergency E911 service support. You could also have directory assistance, busy line verification and operator services bundled in the package.
Security is another prime consideration. The normal practice for VoIP networks is to employ a session border controller at the edge of the network. This does indicate another cog in the wheel with attendant work of integration, cost and management. The super switch customized for you will draw from the security features of SBC or even include media transcoding. Instead of two step process, it becomes a smoothly integrated one in the advanced custom class 4 softswitch solution.
Upgrade to super class softswitch and you cut across interoperability issues with signaling protocols such as MGCP, H.323, H.248, SIP and Packer Cable NCS forming part of the softswitch to work seamlessly in multi-vendor networks. It is also important for seamless working with back office operation support systems.
Of equal importance is capability in softswitch solutions to comply with regulatory requirements. Whereas older switches may lack the ability, adopting newer technologies gives you the edge in permitting lawful intercept or number portability and emergency operator services, features your customers will welcome.
The best combination
Custom class 4 softswitch solutions give you the finest combination of possibilities. You can focus on pure class 4 operations with billing, least cost routing and analytics. You can look farther afield to incorporate features of session border controller and class 5 softswitch as well as next generation multimedia services in one solution, which could make it easier to manage and cost less as well.
Pick the right developer to take advantage of growing adoption of VoIP. Subscribers are expected to exceed 204 billion by 2021. You need to ramp up infrastructure to handle increasing loads and roping in expert class 4 softswitch developer will help you to stay ahead.
