NGNs and the changing face of voice migration

NGNs and the changing face of voice migration published by Analysys Mason in September, 2009. This report price starts from US $ 2462.

Introduction

Abstract

All next-generation network (NGN) architecture has two purposes: to enable new and faster revenue streams and to lower the cost of delivering existing services. Core NGNs were meant primarily to deliver cost savings, and at the centre of this re-engineering was the plan to migrate all switched voice onto a single IP platform. In the middle period of this decade, a number of ambitious and, at the time, far-sighted plans were drawn up for this transformation. Five years on, few of the plans have been implemented and few appear likely to be implemented, at least in their original form. Virtually all major operators - fixed incumbents and mobile network operators - still see packet voice as the future, but most of them are reluctant to engineer that transformation, and prefer instead a gentler approach, driven more by customer demand. This means that circuit switching is likely to have a rather longer lifespan than was previously expected.

NGNs and the changing face of voice migration explains why operators have changed their priorities. It provides case studies of the voice transformation strategies of a number of key fixed-line operators. It focuses on two key areas affecting the future of voice carriage: the risks and benefits of using MSANs to extend the IP core and of using voice over broadband as a means of transforming voice; and the effect on voice architecture of plans for FTTH.

NGNs and the changing face of voice migration answers your key questions:

• Are operators planning to phase out PSTN/ISDN and, if so, is there still a timetable for change?
• Why have operators de-prioritised PSTN-to-VoIP migration?
• Has the economic downturn affected this change of strategy?
• How are cable operators' and altnet operators' strategies changing?
• Is there a future for the MSAN/baseband voice solution?
• Is the life of circuit-switching being extended in the mobile core?
• If demand pushes customers towards voice over broadband - multi-play packages, how should the PSTN be switched off when it is commercially unsustainable?

Table of Contents

Contents 1

• 4. Document map: Changes in incumbent telco strategy
• 5. Incumbent operators have adopted varying strategies for core and access re-engineering
• 6. Voice in the NGN extends at least to the DLE and thereby replaces all circuit switching
• 7. What we wrote 18 months ago and what has changed since then
• 8. Timelines for PSTN phase-out (1)
• 9. Timelines for PSTN phase-out (2)
• 10. Recessions tend to make operators reverse their attitudes to costs
• 11. FTTH will make operators rethink voice migration
• 12. Fixed line loss has slowed a little since 2007, easing some pressure to reduce costs
• 13. Document map: Case studies
• 14. BT' s original 21CN target architecture
• 15. BT has altered its voice strategy
• 16. BT' s focus is changing from MSANs to VoBB- based services
• 17. Voice on BT' s FTTx will eventually move over to SIP-based VoBB architecture
• 18. KPN' s original FTTC target architecture
• 19. KPN is switching its attention to FTTH and this has led to some halts in MSAN deployment
• 20. Telstra' s target architecture
• 21. The Australian National Broadband Network has rendered Telstra' s original MSAN-based plans redundant
• 22. Telecom Italia' s target architecture
• 23. Telecom Italia is taking a phased approach to both NGN and NGA
• 24. Target architecture of Deutsche Telekom (Germany and group)
• 25. Deutsche Telekom has tended to play down the urgency of NGN migration
• 26. T-Com Slovakia' s target architecture
• 27. T-Com Slovakia has shifted strategy from a timetabled, full PSTN phase-out to a selective roll- out of NGN
• 28. Document map: Altnets, cablecos and MNOs
• 29. Alternative fixed operators have a different set of priorities for NGN
• 30. The main options for cablecos are to migrate to VoBB or to outsource PSTN management
• 31. Switched voice and 4G can co-exist
• 32. Document map: Looking ahead, conclusions and recommendations
• 33. Incumbent operators without NGNs must find a cost-effective way to switch off the PSTN when the time comes

Contents 2

• 34. Conclusions
• 35. Recommendations
• 36. Document map: Author, copyright and key to acronyms
• 37. Author
• 38. Copyright
• 39. Key to acronyms [1]
• 40. Key to acronyms [2]
• 41. Document map: List of figures
• 42. List of figures
• 43. Document map: About Analysys Mason
• 44. About Analysys Mason
• 45. Research from Analysys Mason
• 46. Consulting from Analysys Mason

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