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As stated in the tutorial overview, access mediation supports the arbitration of call control and signaling. The key mediation functions to be managed and controlled include privacy, security, message routing, message screening, message parameter screening, bridging and protocol conversion, performance monitoring and protection, error handling, and billing. The goal of access mediation is to enable the interconnection of individual networks.
As shown in Figure 1, access mediation can be created with a mediation point in the signaling network. The networks that are interconnected can be any service provider's wireline, wireless, long-distance, or Internet network. Signaling messages must be able to pass freely within and between these networks. The networks can vary by standards definition, protocol, and vendor or service provider implementation. Even where standards and protocol match, offered services may vary by availability and implementation. Advanced services may be obtained from a network different from the one providing basic service to subscribers. For each of these cases, several issues must be resolved in order to enable the interconnection of the networks. Questions that must be addressed include:
- What signaling messages should be allowed between the networks?
- What services should be made available?
- How is billing handled for each network involved?
- What type of protocol conversion is necessary for the networks to communicate?
Figure 1. Access Mediation in a Conceptual Network
