Local Exchange Evolution
Overview
Local exchange carriers have never faced a more challenging business and operational climate than today’s. Revenues are under extreme pressure as subscribers opt to replace their landlines with mobile phones, or are tempted away by phone and broadband services bundled with cable TV. As a result, it gets harder and harder to sustain the high fixed costs of running a traditional TDM-based voice network.
It's no surprise, therefore, that many LECs are planning to transform their networks with the aim of both expanding their service portfolios and reducing their operational costs. This transformation invariably means a move to an all-IP network.
With access networks evolving to IP to support broadband services and IP-TV, and trunk networks evolving to IP for improved transport efficiency, the traditional TDM-based Class 5 switch has to go. And it needs to be replaced with an IP-based solution that offers drop-in network compatibility and full service transparency.
Metaswitch has vast experience and an excellent track record in replacing local exchange switches, and has successfully cut over a wide variety of legacy Class 5 switch types including DMS-10, DMS-100, 5ESS, DCO, EWSD, AXE, Mitel and Redcom – as well as next generation switches including Telcordia, CopperCom and Taqua.
Features And Benefits
- Supports connectivity with all existing TDM access equipment and CPE, trunks, signaling infrastructure, AIN applications and billing systems – enabling "drop-in" replacement of existing switches
- Provides equivalence to all of the existing local calling features and services – promoting subscriber retention through complete service transparency
- Interoperates with a wide range of VoIP equipment such as Broadband Loop Carriers, Integrated Access Devices and Session Border Controllers – ensuring painless transformation of voice network infrastructure to IP
- Offers a range of options for next-generation voice services including consumer VoIP, hosted PBX and IP business trunking – providing outstanding opportunities for upsell services and packages
- Meets all of the regulatory requirements that apply to LECs
- Provides all of the management capabilities that are essential to the maintenance of a healthy voice network
- Offers unique features that simplify switch co-existence – eliminating the complexities associated with progressive cutover of subscribers
Solution Elements
The Metaswitch solution for Local Exchange Evolution is based on the following elements:
- MetaSphere, configured with Local Calling Features, Session Control, Gateway Control and Lawful Intercept
- One or more Universal Media Gateways, which may be MG2510 or MG3510 systems, and which support TDM connectivity for both lines and trunks
- MetaView, configured with Service Assurance Server and MetaView Web
- Interoperability with a wide range of third party access network equipment including Digital Loop Carriers, Broadband Loop Carriers and Integrated Access Devices
- Professional Services and automated tools to handle the migration of subscriber configuration from legacy Class 5 switches to MetaSphere
The MetaSphere software may be deployed either on a central server or locally on the Universal Media Gateways.
The basic solution can be enhanced in a variety of ways:
- Additional MetaSphere applications can be deployed to extend the range of services offered, such as Business Calling Features, Voicemail and Easy Attendant / Premium Attendant, offering incremental service revenues and increased service stickiness.
- CommPortal can be deployed to provide subscribers with a Web interface to their local calling features and enhanced services, encouraging the take-up of such revenue-generating features by making them far easier to use.
- Emergency Stand Alone can be deployed on the Universal Media Gateways to ensure that service continuity is provided in the event of an IP network outage between centrally-located MetaSphere servers and UMGs.