IN � Rise of the Phoenix:
A Trend in Reverse Migration

BY ARUN HANDA

The downturn has decelerated the pace of technological development. While it looked imminent that IP infrastructure in less than half a decade could replace wireline technologies such as SS7 that took more than three decades to implement or the 5000 page GSM specification that took more than a decade, that failed to happen. The reality is that companies who bet on the future laid by all IP networks need revenues for the present.

The hard choice has been to take a step in the reverse. The exodus of players returning to bring innovative next generation solutions to a traditional network is becoming more prominent. We classify this as a 'Reverse Migration' and interesting fallout of this is resurgence in the Intelligent Network (IN) technology that was written off by industry pundits in the late nineties.

This is an idea that does not want to die. It first cropped up with Softswitch architectures that largely leveraged the IN architecture with intelligence distributed within the network and separated switching functions from the applications. This trend spawned numerous companies focused on building applications for next-gen networks using SIP, H.323 etc. Softswitch vendors focused on implementing IN call models to leverage legacy databases for services like LNP, 800#, VPN etc. It is an interesting idea � one that is not unexpected from carriers battered by the industry downturn of the last few years, but one that brings a strong sense of d�j� vu.

IP TO THE FORE?
The assumption in the late 90s and early 2000 was that there would be a rapid ascent of new IP networks in the future, that would serve as an alternative to, instead of augmenting, signaling (SS7) and voice transport. This led to a rash of development of next-gen switching equipment. Also fuelling this rapid growth was the promised next generation of the cellular era. 3G was touted as the next big thing � and 3G of course relies on an all-IP architecture.

However, with the continued weakness in the telecom industry, as well as the slowdown in carrier spending, the adoption of next-gen IP switching gear has been disappointing. There is little to suggest that 3G rollouts are just around the corner, as the goalposts for implementations worldwide continue to move further out or be taken away altogether. The challenges for the vendors of next generation equipment have been steadily rising � from initial pruning of heady forecasts to worrisome scenarios of basic survival.

NOT QUITE...
With the challenges that carriers continue to face with both new and existing investments, the adoption of innovative techniques has fumbled due to a lack of suitable infrastructure. An overarching theme amongst carriers in today�s environment is the great deal of apprehension over pursuing radical product approaches � with terrific ideas for where future networks will go, but ones the carriers may not be able to survive while awaiting a more favorable economic climate. Instead, the most appealing approach is to focus on incremental solutions � bringing in short-term revenues critically important for them to weather the current industry downturn.

The most interesting incremental approach is to examine convergence with the legacy network to broaden their market � by allowing their applications to operate in these networks. This means taking a step in reverse. This process of reverse migration is not easy, but if worked out well can correct the path of diminishing returns and address current customer demands in varied market segments.

RISE OF THE PHOENIX
IN is well known for enabling a range of enhanced services � from toll-free services to Local Number Portability. Its widespread presence in carrier networks provides support for charging, IVR, enhanced services and other applications.

Next-gen services that were to be developed over next-gen network elements (such as Home Subscriber System, Home/Foreign agents, policy servers, etc.) are now increasingly looking at the advantages offered by technologies like WIN and CAMEL that leverage on a carrier�s existing infrastructure. Applications like Charging for wireless voice and data services increasingly prefer to have access to INAP/CAMEL-based SCPs, where subscriber payment information is readily available.

Since next gen applications have been designed with different technologies and network interfaces in mind, two possible approaches that can be successfully used for reverse migration are:

Mediation � Application Servers talking INAP/AIN through INAP/AIN mediation, and Interworking � SIP/MGCP/H.248 capability at Signaling Gateways.

Candidate applications for reverse migration are numerous and include a number of next-gen applications like Prepaid, VPN, and Freephone that can be mapped to equivalent IN services. Interestingly, the proliferation of Public Wireless LANs (PWLANS) seeks similar solutions. While ad-hoc solutions for billing and roaming are in place to handle the small current subscriber base, the carriers� attention is now clearly focused on unified billing and services that converge with their existing architecture.

Carriers are looking to add innovative new IP enhanced services to expand on their existing service offerings. They can now look forward to operational and infrastructure savings from deploying new IP-based services on legacy IN infrastructure.

CONCLUSION
Ironically, innovation that was supposed to sound the death knell for IN technology is today spurring a new interest. Vendors and operators alike didn't really understand the true future potential of the technology in recent years.

It is, however, not without its challenges. Not all deployed switches are armed with IN triggers. The multiple variants of the ANSI and ITU standards pose considerable challenges for global deployment. IN may also provide for limited multimedia capability. And in general there is low awareness of the capabilities and potential of IN.

Reverse migration is nothing new, however this trend is emerging in IN-IP convergence � driven by market conditions that require increased efficiency and more competitive offerings. The continuance of this trend will provide value in enabling the accelerated deployment of interoperable and feature rich networks and services � utilizing tried and tested IN technology.

ABOUT INTELLINET TECHNOLOGIES
Founded in 1992, IntelliNet Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of application development software and services that has delivered solutions to enable leading companies to successfully deploy revenue-generating services in core telecom areas. Using IntelliNet products has helped to build faster and focus on core competence while being freed from low-level infrastructure detail. IntelliNet's application development software significantly reduces the development and deployment time for 2.5G, 3G and IN applications, and the services they support. Combining expertise in SS7, SIGTRAN and IP, along with extensive application development experience, IntelliNet provides a strong services arm as well, for rapid service deployment.

For more information visit www.intellinet-tech.com.

Arun Handa is vice president of engineering at IntelliNet Technologies, Inc. IntelliNet is a provider of high quality telecommunications solutions for both emerging wireless and wireline industries. IntelliNet's application development software significantly reduces the development and deployment time for 2.5G, 3G and IN applications, and the services they support. With expertise in SS7, SIGTRAN, and IP, along with extensive application development experience, IntelliNet's unique value lies in the ability to insulate application developers from the low-level intricacies of telecommunication signaling foundation technologies.