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Interoperability supports successful business models for IP
As traditional voice services are under pressure, many operators aim to introduce sustainable business models for VoIP and value-added services. With Interoperability BT provides you with an open, secure and flexible environment that enables you to connect, pay and get paid for IP-based services you want to offer.
Keeping complexity inside to make business simple - Interoperability for NGNs and traditional networks helps you thrive in the IP world
The migration from TDM to VoIP is gaining traction as operators and communication providers around the globe drive their NGN implementations to launch new converged services for their customers to enable collaboration, mobility, and efficient business processes.
But some key issues put the brake on this evolution. A number of new entrants have introduced disruptive business models for VoIP but their approach has not proved sustainable beyond reaping traditional revenues from termination of IP-originated calls into classic networks. True integration of voice into the feature-rich range of web 2.0 applications and services remains virtually impossible as security, QoS continuity, inter-working, data integrity, charging and payment across networks in the IP world are still unresolved. And everyone agrees that offering all this on one isolated network - however big or modern it might be - is not enough to impress and retain an operator's customers for the long term.
Interoperability has the potential to unlock the vast opportunities that IP-based voice and business services hold for operators and their customers. It addresses security, integrity, relationship building and - most of all - the financial elements of IP interconnection between carriers' NGN networks. It also provides seamless integration between traditional TDM and IP-based infrastructures to enable an operator's smooth and CAPEX-friendly evolution. Moreover, it can help you to create a sustainable and successful business model - which is paramount in today's tough economic climate.
BT's IP interoperability portfolio helps you to deploy IP services, take advantage of convergence, manage call quality for your customers and stay ahead of the competition. You gain simplified access to PSTN, mobile, international and IP networks. As a result, you can generate new revenues without the cost and complexity of dealing with multiple partners. Transactions between providers become simpler and more secure.
This portfolio will take you from a complex segmented market to a world where you can seamlessly connect to anyone and differentiate yourself from your competition with all the flexibility you need.
A modular approach to cater to operators' specific needs
BT aims to offer a complete range of IP-based services to help carriers and communication providers keep pace with end customers' requirements. And as all operators are different, BT provides a building-block approach in three layers:
- Inter-provider connectivity through enhanced IPeXchange services
- Numbering and routing in the IP and TDM world (ENUM)
- Core value-added services and open application platforms for operators to create their own services
Across those layers, to optimise all services, BT will provide transaction and clearing, security, and reporting and monitoring.
Translating the protocols via BT's IPeXchange
The growing market penetration of VoIP is still low compared to TDM. Therefore operators originating VoIP traffic must convert those calls to traditional TDM networks. To achieve this, you can invest in media gateways, incurring high capital expense and separate interconnection and termination agreements. Or you can take advantage of the simple and low investment alternative offered by BT's interoperability services.
BT's IP interoperability hub provides a gateway seamlessly connecting IP to IP and IP to classic voice networks. Any platform, switch, protocol or application can connect with any other network via BT, including, of course, BT's own networks. This allows for true independence of user technology, protocol, network or device. BT's IPeXchange addresses industry standards and as BT ensures interoperability with all other connected parties, you do not need to support all protocols and codecs yourself.
In summary, BT's IPeXchange for fixed and mobile networks at the core of the interoperability portfolio enables you to connect to a complex world of evolving technology with a simple, future-proof, low investment approach.
Making the connection - numbering and routing to bridge IP and TDM (ENUM)
A bridge between classic TDM and IP-based voice must be more than a simple mechanism that initiates bandwidth sessions between two end users. Because voice requires accurate handling of users' telephone numbers, regulatory requirements specify how they are to be managed across directory services, portability and number plans.
Some VoIP offerings try to circumvent these requirements, which tend to create isolated services. A seamless integration has to include both the TDM-based number world and current and emerging IP address methodologies to ensure future-proof flexibility.
In its interoperability portfolio, BT will offer you least-cost, high-quality and policy-based routing. Numbering plans and number portability are already available in the UK; BT's ENUM service will extend these to other countries and provide translation of E164 phone numbers to IP addresses, as well as security and legal/regulatory compliance.
Enabling you to create future services through open platforms
Interoperability throws open the gate to a field of new value-added services combining voice, content, applications and capabilities. Most of those services will not fit in a successful business model without the provision of security, integrity and charging across network borders.
Instead of creating isolated services, you can use BT's IP interoperability platform to extend your value-added services across network borders. You can also create new bi-lateral and multi-lateral partnerships without significant up-front costs. And you can reap opportunities in changing markets with flexibility and - most of all - with high speed to market. Open interfaces will give you access to BT platforms and applications, including a suite of new presence-exploiting applications.
Pay and get paid for IP-based services
Effective arrangements for payment settlement are a key component of interoperability. BT aims to support a wide range of models and services based on the needs of the carriers and providers connected to its IPeXchange.
For carriers with existing bi-lateral relationships, BT can manage the interconnecting traffic, leaving settlement of the managed transaction to the two involved parties. Carriers without a direct settlement relationship but with an agreement to interconnect their specified traffic via the IPeXchange can rely on BT to manage and hand the traffic to any accepting carrier, including payment settlement through BT. Also, BT can accept the traffic as your direct transaction partner and you can leave the settlement entirely to BT, getting your payments from us.
Using BT's modular approach to interoperability, you can benefit from a simple, robust solution to meet your specific requirements. Without the need for major capital investment, it is easier for you to build and sustain your business models. You have the ability to grow and ensure that you are paid for IP services, so you can deliver the flexible, innovative offers your customers want in the 21st century.
(This article originally appeared in the Sep/Oct 2009 issue of Global Telecoms Business magazine.)
For further information about BT Interoperability, contact your account manager and see the announcement of BT's win of the ITSPA 2009 Award for "Most Innovative VOIP Product" for our IP Exchange offering in the BT awards & praise section of this issue.
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