Cable Multiple System Operators (MSOs) and telcos are always looking for new ways to improve VoIP service quality for their subscribers. A new strategic alliance promises to help by delivering advanced, integrated testing solutions for VoIP over networks.

 

Minacom, a VoIP test solution provider for cable MSOs, and Tollgrade, a supplier of network service assurance products, just made news of their newly formed partnership. Tollgrade's DOCSIS-based Status Monitoring Cheetah Transponders and recently released End-of-Line (EOL) probes will now feature embedded Minacom VoIP testing technology, allowing the units to act as responders for test calls placed by Minacom PowerProbe 6000 test probes. Using Minacom's Patent-Pending softswitch integration, tests are conducted over actual PacketCable Dynamic Quality of Service (DQoS) voice channels, providing true user-perceived VoIP service quality testing throughout the hybrid fiber / coax (HFC) network.

 

This integrated remote-testing solution promises to significantly reduce the time required to identify, isolate and diagnose VoIP service issues, while also providing proactive, real-time monitoring to detect service level degradation before quality issues affect subscribers. Test automation, results analysis, service level classification, fault management and reporting are controlled by Minacom's DirectQuality R7 web-based OSS, already deployed by over 70 service providers worldwide.

 

Test calls use Minacom's VoIP testing technology to measure over 40 service quality measurements including speech quality (MOS), speech power, loss, distortion, clipping and noise, call connectivity metrics such as Post Dial Delay (PDD), as well as dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF / Touch Tone) transparency. Minacom's PowerProbes can be co-located with Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS), or installed in the IP or PSTN segments of a PacketCable network. Cheetah transponders are CableLabs PacketCable 1.0 "Verified for Interoperability", and respond to and initiate PowerProbe test calls using an embedded E-MTA emulator.

 

The strategic alliance between Minacom and Tollgrade will focus on further developing and co-marketing integrated triple-play, service level test solutions for cable MSOs and Telcos, helping them to provide the best possible VoIP, digital Video, and Internet services to their subscribers.

 

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