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Switching technology is an unsung hero of the telecommunications revolution, making the convergence of mobile, analog and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calling look easy.

At one time, switching technology was all hardware-based. This thankfully changed with softswitch technology, which moved the switch between calling technologies during a call from hardware to software.

Softswitches have had the advantage of cutting down on hardware maintenance expense, and of allowing a much higher degree of innovation. Mobile softswitches, which are switches for mobile calling, have largely worked from this softswitch approach.

A third evolution in the calling space is occurring, though: The hosted mobile softswitch.

At first switches were relatively inflexible and hardware-based, and then they were flexible but still tied to on-premise hardware. With hosted mobile softswitches, however, the hardware has been removed entirely in favor of a service that business can turn on or off as needed.

Like most cloud services, a hosted offering brings with it two key benefits: Ease of use and flexibility.

On the ease of use side, there’s no longer the need to maintain hardware and software updates of any kind. The mobile softswitch just works.

In terms of flexibility, the hosted softswitch can be purchased on a monthly basis and quickly started or stopped as services are needed.

Hosted offerings are particularly good for small and medium-sized VoIP providers that don’t want the hassle of maintaining and monitoring their softswitch.

One particularly noteworthy hosted softswitch offering comes from REVE Systems. Its hosted iTel Switch Plus solution offers monthly payment options that go as low as $290 per month, and it can be launched quickly.

Unlike many other hosted softswitch options, iTel Switch Plus also integrates a VoIP billing system, iTel Billing, so no additional billing software needs to be installed. The iTel Switch Plus solution is a complete softswitch and billing solution, according to the company.

iTel Billing makes the REVE solution a good fit for providers offering calling card, call shop, PC to phone, mobile dialers, etc. The billing feature also makes the hosted softswitch solution good for wholesalers.

Just like the softswitch changed the game when it comes to switching technology, so too is the hosted mobile softswitch changing how mobile softswitches are done.