VIPeering

VIPeering Conference Preview

This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY

The global mass migration from PSTN to IP architectures is well under way. On the carrier and mobile side, engineers are replacing increasingly obsolete Class 4/5 circuit switches with smaller and faster softswitches and sophisticated session border controllers. Enterprises are replacing old PBXs with unified communications systems.  The rewards will be networks and businesses prepared for the future, ready to achieve capex/opex efficiencies while simultaneously supporting customer demand for new and innovative services. And peering and IP interconnection are essential for realizing the full benefits of this massive industry transformation.  

Peering and interconnect strategies must address a complicated set of functions, including signaling, media, transcoding, transport, numbering, registries, commercials and security. Not all equipment implements SIP the same way. Codecs must be negotiated and transcoded. Number portability challenges may be resolved via ENUM queries to authoritative registries. Commercial terms may be established via traditional or bill and keep modes. Finally, the entire set of variables can be approached in a serial bilateral fashion or via aggregated federation models. 

While voice interconnects have one complicated set of technical and commercial variables, video telephony interconnects are an even more interesting challenge on the horizon. As video-enabled enterprise IP phone sets appear on desks around the world and 4G smartphones proliferate in mobile consumer hands, the requirement to establish sessions that reach both over-the-top IP communications applications as well as the high-end telepresence systems will emerge.  

Finally when planning an effective peering and IP interconnection strategy, there is an impressive ecosystem of vendors,  federations, working groups and standards bodies that have contributed important components, systems and methodologies that should be considered and evaluated.

The VIPeering conference explores the enabling elements, technologies, practices and standards that serve as the basis for this industry shift toward IP voice interconnects and peering.

Planned sessions will include:   

·        Corporate and enterprise peering and UC - models and strategies

·        Peering in Latin America - unique regional challenges and opportunities

·        Cable telephony peering - update from the MSOs

·        Video telephony – over-the-top, mobile and corporate interoperability

·        Mobile carrier interconnection scenarios

·        Successful business models for peering

·        The role of ENUM in LNP and interconnection

·        Numbering and identifiers in peering and interconnection

·        Endgames for peering: key enabler updates

Please join us on Feb. 2 in Miami for the VIPeering conference, to meet with your “Very Important Peers” in the industry, to network, share ideas and explore best practices for IP interconnection and peering. 

Hugh Goldstein (News - Alert) is managing director of AU24 and conference co-organizer.

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The VIPeering conference explores the enabling elements, technologies, practices and standards that serve as the basis for this industry shift toward IP voice interconnects and peering.