VoIP Operators
VoIP operators are eager to steal voice customers away from traditional carriers. And companies including VeriSign, Net2Phone, and Level 3 Communications are eager to let them know that they don't have to reinvent the wheel in order to accomplish that goal.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is a voice communication service provided on the Internet Protocol (IP). VoIP enables users to make long distance calls at local call costs. The VoIP Provider can have two business models: a wholesale service (for corporate users) as well as a retail service (for individual users).
The services can be inbound as well as outbound, and a VoIP operator will work with a number of partners in providing those services.
A multi-service activation capability is fundamental to automating the delivery of VoIP Services. The first requirement is to ensure that the subscriber activation system can automate activation requests in high volume over a multi-vendor, multi-platform, multi-technology network. Productized interfaces to key softswitch, service elements and application devices will not only facilitate automation but also reduce service providers time to market and total cost of ownership. VoIP operators also need to automate the configuration of their IP networks to allow for prioritization of converged traffic to ensure voice quality is maintained. Further, service providers need to leverage automated tools for managing and configuring MPLS-based (RFC 2547) VPNs for global VoIP service delivery.
One of the final and most important steps in automated VoIP service delivery is billing. Deploying VoIP soft-switches presents critical billing-related challenges to service providers that traditionally rated and billed using AMA records. For example, softswitches use new record formats, for example IPDR (IP detail record), which need to be mapped to the operator's billing system. A convergent network mediation system becomes critical to help an operator realize its VoIP return and shield the upstream systems from the changing network.
Automating the OSS will be a prerequisite to VoIP service success. Key considerations include ensuring that the systems scale to meet the demand of providing high-volume voice services, that they are proven in global Tier 1 operator environments, and have the necessary multi-service, multi-vendor flexibility required for specific deployment needs.
For example, Net2Phone also announced a deal with Great Lakes Data Systems, which provides billing services to small, independent cable operators. The deal means those operators will be able to include VoIP services provided by Net2Phone, including call details, on their customer invoices, according to Net2Phone.
VoIP presents a significant opportunity for service providers to capture and grow voice revenue. There is a compelling business case for deploying flexible, scaleable OSS solutions that meet today's VoIP needs, while better preparing service providers to deliver new services efficiently and profitably as we ride the technology curve before us.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is a voice communication service provided on the Internet Protocol (IP). VoIP enables users to make long distance calls at local call costs. The VoIP Provider can have two business models: a wholesale service (for corporate users) as well as a retail service (for individual users).
The services can be inbound as well as outbound, and a VoIP operator will work with a number of partners in providing those services.
A multi-service activation capability is fundamental to automating the delivery of VoIP Services. The first requirement is to ensure that the subscriber activation system can automate activation requests in high volume over a multi-vendor, multi-platform, multi-technology network. Productized interfaces to key softswitch, service elements and application devices will not only facilitate automation but also reduce service providers time to market and total cost of ownership. VoIP operators also need to automate the configuration of their IP networks to allow for prioritization of converged traffic to ensure voice quality is maintained. Further, service providers need to leverage automated tools for managing and configuring MPLS-based (RFC 2547) VPNs for global VoIP service delivery.
One of the final and most important steps in automated VoIP service delivery is billing. Deploying VoIP soft-switches presents critical billing-related challenges to service providers that traditionally rated and billed using AMA records. For example, softswitches use new record formats, for example IPDR (IP detail record), which need to be mapped to the operator's billing system. A convergent network mediation system becomes critical to help an operator realize its VoIP return and shield the upstream systems from the changing network.
Automating the OSS will be a prerequisite to VoIP service success. Key considerations include ensuring that the systems scale to meet the demand of providing high-volume voice services, that they are proven in global Tier 1 operator environments, and have the necessary multi-service, multi-vendor flexibility required for specific deployment needs.
For example, Net2Phone also announced a deal with Great Lakes Data Systems, which provides billing services to small, independent cable operators. The deal means those operators will be able to include VoIP services provided by Net2Phone, including call details, on their customer invoices, according to Net2Phone.
VoIP presents a significant opportunity for service providers to capture and grow voice revenue. There is a compelling business case for deploying flexible, scaleable OSS solutions that meet today's VoIP needs, while better preparing service providers to deliver new services efficiently and profitably as we ride the technology curve before us.
