Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Introduction

2. True Convergence

3. What It Takes to Be Carrier-Grade

4. The Protocol War

5. Converged Tools and Service Creation

6. Summary

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

As mentioned previously, in a converged network environment, a user’s voice network should work in the same manner as his or her data network. For example, how do businesspeople add new names to their PC–based contact managers? Often, they enter the new contact onto their personal information manager, cradle it when they get back to the office, and their contact database is automatically updated. But what happens when voice services enter into this equation?

A recent confluence of events is finally making possible such applications that represent true convergence. Intelligent user phones, terminals, and IP–based gateways are coming to market, sporting industry-standard call-control protocol stacks, such as SIP and MGCP. They make it possible for competitive carriers to offer not only next-generation services that literally are not possible in the existing PSTN but also new interpretations of existing custom local-area signaling services (CLASS). Such services, including the following, take advantage of features in these new subscriber devices that are unavailable in the PSTN:

• Unified messaging—voice, fax, and e-mail integration on a single, Unix- and IP–based message repository
• IP–enhanced services—features not possible with legacy, narrowband Class-5 equipment, such as feature mobility, CD–quality voice, PC phone calls, and IP terminal support
• Enhanced Class features—features that enhance productivity and performance such as selective call waiting, group ring, and find-me, follow-me
• Subscriber control tools—Web- and Palm-based applications and e-mail plug-ins for self-provisioning and management of call and messaging features, and related usage/billing information

The key to this new paradigm is the so-called softswitch. This software-on-a-switch is the heart of the next-generation network, the device that provides voice signaling and control using open, standards-based protocols. This is the elusive Holy Grail of telecommunications—any-to-any end point interoperability, enhanced services, user self-provisioning of desired features, and flexible billing, all on one network.