The convergence of voice and data networks has long been a topic of discussion for industry analysts. An SS7 gateway for Internet access realizes this vision by providing the following benefits that are the stepping stones for a new network infrastructure. Many experts believe that the SS7 gateway system will lead to a cost-effective alternative for voice over IP (VoIP). These benefits include the following:

• cost savings and competitive advantage (Available cost reduction will enable telcos to offer competitive rates to the ISPs, which in return could mean more saving to the end users of the Internet.)
• the bypassing of most switch ports and IMTs in the network during an Internet-access connection
• using existing telephone lines to the end users
• the use of all IN capabilities available today for routing and management (because originating switches are still involved in data-oriented calls)
• the support of many NAS modules with one gateway (Every gateway can support up to tens of thousands data ports on many NAS modules that can be located in multiple telephony networks in many different areas.)
• availability of services (Using a fault-tolerant platform combined with a proven solid SS7 provides availability that is expected from the telephony network.)
• manageability (providing a centralized monitoring, management, and reporting point, because each gateway can potentially support many circuits connected to many remote point codes)
• international gateway (Multiple variants of SS7 can be implemented on each gateway system. This provides the ability to connect international calls where, for example, an originating switch may support International Telecommunications Union [ITU]–SS7 and the terminating NAS may support American National Standards Institute [ANSI]–SS7.)
• an expandable, reusable, and flexible architecture (An SS7 gateway design influenced by the ECTF framework architecture allows the customization and enhancement of this application based on specific customer needs.)
• dynamic allocation of the NAS ports between ISP customers (Because the NASs are part of the telephony network and do not belong to the ISPs, the ports on the NAS modules may be dynamically allocated to a specific ISP.)
• running the gateway application on a general-purpose computer