Replacement versus Expansion

When transitioning to an SS7-over-IP network, consider these strategies:

• Replacement of out-phased (end of life) TDM equipment
• Gradual replacement, which means coexistence of the two technologies: there is no need to retire an existing switch if you are deploying purely for additional capacity
• Full accelerated replacement with a short transition period based on cost, efficiency, and fault management. Even if complete transition is desired, it is unrealistic to expect to instantaneously cut over, unless the subscriber base is very small.

  There is enormous leverage when one platform provides both TDM and SS7-over-IP. The issue is more than cost savings. A combined platform can support new multimodal voice, data and video services that utilize a combination of IP data with diverse messaging capabilities, location and presence information, voice connections, speech recognition and Intelligent Network control. Of course, not every application requires every capability, so flexibility is key.

• Maintaining the existing PSTN network, and use Next Generation Network (NGN) equipment to satisfy growing demands: legacy switches have many features and services.
• Operators may have to wait until new switches support all required features and services
• Out-of-region or in-region expansion of traditional services or new features