Communications and Technology Industry Research

As we roll in a new era where VoIP services will be supported in HSPA networks, there will be a transformation of 3GSM (News - Alert) networks to all-IP, challenging the latest WiMAX technology. Several Network operators are already getting ready for the migration to all-IP by using separate softswitches and media gateways.

 

ABI Research (News - Alert) has conducted a study on this and notes that network operators are planning to roll out all-IP networks beginning in the next two years. 

 

The study reveals that the move to an Internet Protocol-based infrastructure is a natural evolution for the mobile network as broadband services including Voice over IP, and other SIP services begin to be deployed.

 

WiMAX (the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), the technology which is currently creating major heights will be under increasing pressure to deliver better if it is to maintain its lead. Moving further ahead of HSPA, is the emerging solution LTE (News - Alert) (Long Term Evolution), expected to roll out in few years which will create yet another challenge.

 

In early 2008, there will be full 3GPP standards for mobile networks allowing IP-based services to be deployed, a process that ABI Research analysts expect to start in 2010, following trials in 2009.

 

“As we move to the end of the decade, mobile networks will emerge with a flat all-IP architecture using 3GPP standards to deliver multimedia services and VoIP. Operators want to control operating costs by eliminating the current dual circuit and packet switched networks,” says ABI Research analyst Ian Cox (News - Alert).

 

Cox added, “This will enable service delivery platforms and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem (News - Alert)) to be deployed in the network, streamlining operations and allowing new services to be introduced quickly.”

 

The transformation is going to be beneficial for both users and operators, says Cox. For users, all-IP provides better and more compelling services and delivers higher data rates, for video and rich voice sessions. For operators, all-IP will speed up the development of content and services which is in turn going to be advantageous for the whole industry.

Meenakshi Shanks is a contributing writer for TMCnet. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

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