IEC Newsletter

Next-Generation Networks: The Road to the Future

Torsten Bethke, Director of Marketing and Communication, KEYMILE

Introduction
With many services merging, operators of telecommunications, cable TV, and satellite networks are facing stiff competition. They are under constant pressure to provide more choice for less money. This article describes vital NGN migration alternatives, which will help companies solve this dilemma.

In an environment where more services are constantly being offered for less money, fixed-line network operators today are finding the competition fierce. As a result, revenue has declined sharply. A three-pronged strategy can provide a response to this development. First, conventional voice services must be continued on a profitable basis, and second, the associated operating costs must be reduced. Third, this is only possible if the traditional services are transferred to the new IP/Ethernet-based network, as this is the only way of avoiding costly parallel operation of networks.

Guaranteed data throughput per subscriber is a key factor in creating an exceptional and profitable multi-service product, so that high levels of bandwidth can be provided for triple-play services or business-customer applications (LAN-LAN bridging, IP-VPM). A glance at individual services highlights the trends and opportunities products can provide for private and business customers.

New Services Pave the Way
The traditional connection interfaces for telephony and leased lines will still be around for some time to come. On the other hand, the decline in Internet access methods using a dial-up modem, or ATM-based DSL access, is set to continue. As a result, network operators will have to carry on supporting traditional telephony and broadband services, at the same time as migrating to the NGN and providing triple-play and broadband business services as well.

The future belongs to DSL via IP/Ethernet, above all in triple-play network environments. Fast and gigabit Ethernet will also become important as fixed network access for business customers. In regards to data services, in the future a great deal will shift from the PDH/SDH to and consolidate in IP/Ethernet services.

Voice Network Migration …
In the medium and long term, the migration of telephony means just one platform is required in the operator's access network and will be underpinned by intelligent IP/Ethernet access technology. The technology will carry out the conversion to the existing POTS and ISDN terminal equipment.

The first alternative is to use a central VoIP gateway that creates a direct connection to the VoIP exchange (softswitch). The existing TDM network will still be used in the access network.

The second alternative is a decentralized access gateway spread throughout the access network, which combines POTS and ISDN connections and becomes the interface to the VoIP network. In this case, only traditional POTS and ISDN technology is still on the service line. The entire transmission network, on the other hand, already functions on an IP/Ethernet basis. This means substantial savings in operating costs.

The third alternative consists of implementing the POTS and ISDN services entirely with a single gateway to the end customer and generating network access entirely on a packet basis. As a result, network operators can provide both high-speed Internet access via DSL and also market POTS and ISDN services.

POTS and ISDN have no role to play in the fourth alternative. In this case, complete migration to VoIP is the objective. To do so, end customers must have VoIP phones, or PC-based applications such as soft phones can be used.

The primary benefit of the first three alternatives from the network operators' point of view is that they can migrate their telecommunications networks to an all-IP network, without private or business customers having to exchange the terminal equipment they are familiar with. And NGN services can also be offered to the end customers.

… And Leased Line Migration
Much more complex than voice migration is the migration of leased lines. Today's PDH/SDH networks provide the foundation, where direct connections for leased lines are for example available on an X.21 basis. In the future, circuit emulation services over packet switched networks (CESoPSNs), or TDM over IP services, will be able to carry out the same function more cost effectively. As a result, fixed-line network operators can also easily transmit traditional leased-line services via a packet-based network. This cuts down on the variety of systems in transmission technology.

Toward Packet-Driven Networks
An integral part of migration scenarios in the access network is a multiservice access node, which implements triple-play services (telephony, high-speed Internet, and TV services) in a single compact NGN platform. In this way, network operators can continue to support conventional telephony and broadband services and at the same time migrate to the NGN. With robust and compact design, the multiservice access node can be used in outdoor cabinets and for central installation.

A wide range of subscriber interfaces, from ADSL2plus to SHDSL, as well as VDSL2 and 100 BaseT/GigE, but also traditional interfaces such as POTS, ISDN, and G703/704, can be supported. The multiservice access node can be made suitable for a variety of network architectures, as well as installations in exchanges, including FTTN, FTTB, and FTTH.

A key component of NGNs is the evolution toward packet-oriented networks. For this purpose, multiservice access node platforms can provide carrier-grade VoIP gateway functions. All these features and functions are an excellent starting point for providing gradual ongoing development of the telecommunications network toward an NGN.

Figures:

Figure 1: Fixed-Network Operator Business Is Facing Pressure from Several Directions (Source: KEYMILE)

Figure 2:At a Glance: Service Continuity and NGN Services (Source: KEYMILE)

Figure 3: At a Glance: Migration of Leased Lines (Source: KEYMILE)

Figure 4: Migration Scenarios: Service Node, Transport, Access Platform, and Services (Source: KEYMILE)

Educational Content Provider
Torsten Bethke, Director of Marketing and Communication, KEYMILE

Since October 2006, Mr. Bethke is responsible for the KEYMILE Group to focus on the market appearance for the company and product brands. Between 2002 and 2004 he was responsible for the market communication of KEYMILE as head of Marketing and Communication.

Until 2002, he took over the position head of Training at Alcatel ke. Prior to that, he worked as system engineer at Alcatel ke and Siemens AG.

In 1992, Mr. Bethke received a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Applied Science Hanover.


September 2007, Volume 1 back to index
Next-Generation Networks: The Road to the Future Torsten Bethke, Director of Marketing and Communication, KEYMILE Introduction With many services merging, operators of telecommunications, cable TV, and satellite networks are facing stiff competition. They are under constant pressure to provide more choice for less money. This article describes vital NGN migration alternatives, which will help companies solve this dilemma. In an environment where more services are constantly being offered for less money, fixed-line network operators today are finding the competition fierce. As a result, revenue has declined sharply. A three-pronged strategy can provide a response to this development. First, conventional voice services must be continued on a profitable basis, and second, the associated operating costs must be reduced. Third, this is only possible if the traditional services are transferred to the new IP/Ethernet-based network, as this is the only way of avoiding costly parallel operation of networks. Guaranteed data throughput per subscriber is a key factor in creating an exceptional and profitable multi-service product, so that high levels of bandwidth can be provided for triple-play services or business-customer applications (LAN-LAN bridging, IP-VPM). A glance at individual services highlights the trends and opportunities products can provide for private and business customers. New Services Pave the Way The traditional connection interfaces for telephony and leased lines will still be around for some time to come. On the other hand, the decline in Internet access methods using a dial-up modem, or ATM-based DSL access, is set to continue. As a result, network operators will have to carry on supporting traditional telephony and broadband services, at the same time as migrating to the NGN and providing triple-play and broadband business services as well. The future belongs to DSL via IP/Ethernet, above all in triple-play network environments. Fast and gigabit Ethernet will also become important as fixed network access for business customers. In regards to data services, in the future a great deal will shift from the PDH/SDH to and consolidate in IP/Ethernet services. Voice Network Migration … In the medium and long term, the migration of telephony means just one platform is required in the operator's access network and will be underpinned by intelligent IP/Ethernet access technology. The technology will carry out the conversion to the existing POTS and ISDN terminal equipment. The first alternative is to use a central VoIP gateway that creates a direct connection to the VoIP exchange (softswitch). The existing TDM network will still be used in the access network. The second alternative is a decentralized access gateway spread throughout the access network, which combines POTS and ISDN connections and becomes the interface to the VoIP network. In this case, only traditional POTS and ISDN technology is still on the service line. The entire transmission network, on the other hand, already functions on an IP/Ethernet basis. This means substantial savings in operating costs. The third alternative consists of implementing the POTS and ISDN services entirely with a single gateway to the end customer and generating network access entirely on a packet basis. As a result, network operators can provide both high-speed Internet access via DSL and also market POTS and ISDN services. POTS and ISDN have no role to play in the fourth alternative. In this case, complete migration to VoIP is the objective. To do so, end customers must have VoIP phones, or PC-based applications such as soft phones can be used. The primary benefit of the first three alternatives from the network operators' point of view is that they can migrate their telecommunications networks to an all-IP network, without private or business customers having to exchange the terminal equipment they are familiar with. And NGN services can also be offered to the end customers. … And Leased Line Migration Much more complex than voice migration is the migration of leased lines. Today's PDH/SDH networks provide the foundation, where direct connections for leased lines are for example available on an X.21 basis. In the future, circuit emulation services over packet switched networks (CESoPSNs), or TDM over IP services, will be able to carry out the same function more cost effectively. As a result, fixed-line network operators can also easily transmit traditional leased-line services via a packet-based network. This cuts down on the variety of systems in transmission technology. Toward Packet-Driven Networks An integral part of migration scenarios in the access network is a multiservice access node, which implements triple-play services (telephony, high-speed Internet, and TV services) in a single compact NGN platform. In this way, network operators can continue to support conventional telephony and broadband services and at the same time migrate to the NGN. With robust and compact design, the multiservice access node can be used in outdoor cabinets and for central installation. A wide range of subscriber interfaces, from ADSL2plus to SHDSL, as well as VDSL2 and 100 BaseT/GigE, but also traditional interfaces such as POTS, ISDN, and G703/704, can be supported. The multiservice access node can be made suitable for a variety of network architectures, as well as installations in exchanges, including FTTN, FTTB, and FTTH. A key component of NGNs is the evolution toward packet-oriented networks. For this purpose, multiservice access node platforms can provide carrier-grade VoIP gateway functions. All these features and functions are an excellent starting point for providing gradual ongoing development of the telecommunications network toward an NGN. Figures: Figure 1: Fixed-Network Operator Business Is Facing Pressure from Several Directions (Source: KEYMILE) Figure 2:At a Glance: Service Continuity and NGN Services (Source: KEYMILE) Figure 3: At a Glance: Migration of Leased Lines (Source: KEYMILE) Figure 4: Migration Scenarios: Service Node, Transport, Access Platform, and Services (Source: KEYMILE) Educational Content Provider Torsten Bethke, Director of Marketing and Communication, KEYMILE Since October 2006, Mr. Bethke is responsible for the KEYMILE Group to focus on the market appearance for the company and product brands. Between 2002 and 2004 he was responsible for the market communication of KEYMILE as head of Marketing and Communication. Until 2002, he took over the position head of Training at Alcatel ke. Prior to that, he worked as system engineer at Alcatel ke and Siemens AG. In 1992, Mr. Bethke received a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Applied Science Hanover.