Alcatel-Lucent's 5060 IBC-4 at Home in Growing SBC Market with Smaller Footprint and Optimal Functionality

By Jaclyn Allard, TMCnet Copy Editor

Alcatel-Lucent, a provider of a broad range of communications services, revealed the newest addition to its comprehensive access and border control portfolio, the 5060 IBC-4 (IP Border Controller-4). The 5060 IBC-4, an integrated solution, offers service providers security to protect consumers and businesses from network breaches such as identity theft, information leaks and downtime due to cyber attacks.

The difference found with 5060 IBC-4, in comparison to other Session Border Controllers (SBCs) on the market and even the decomposed solutions offered within Alcatel-Lucent’s (News - Alert) portfolio, is that this newest SBC offer is a first line of defense for services beyond the voice. With traditional voice communication, SBCs were faced with more media than signaling. SBCs traditionally control the signaling and media streams involved in setting up, conducting and tearing down interactive/voice media communications. However, with an increase in smart devices and such communication methods as video, status updates, instant messaging, etc., there is a stronger focus on signaling. The 5060 IBC-4 is at the frontline to protect and service these new and preferred ways of communication.

Another ideal feature is the 5060 IBC-4’s smaller size, but with the same expected and reliable functionality of those SBCs with a larger footprint. Alcatel-Lucent’s Director of Wireline Core and IMS business, Rich Crowe, commented in an interview, “The 5060 IBC-4 shares the same software and hardware functionality as Alcatel-Lucent’s decomposed SBC portfolio, the difference is its smaller.” The compact chassis of the 5060 IBC-4 provides a reduced footprint, and a dedicated, hardware accelerated firewall securely processes IP traffic to protect against Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

Its high performance, scalability and eco-friendly benefits allows service providers to seamlessly and cost-effectively deliver next generation voice, multimedia and video services across network borders. Providing operational savings from fewer network elements, 5060 IBC-4 empowers service providers to better meet demand for advanced IP services, including location and presence enhanced services.

There is certainly a market for Alcatel-Lucent’s newest SBC addition. Crowe pointed out three reasons for the growing market.

Security: Information being communicated today continues to be personalized, and travels across new devices and through new forms of communication.

Quality of Experience: Service providers want to ensure a quality of experience for their customers; this includes making sure the service is available and that the appropriate service is prioritized.

Regulatory Compliance: Service providers need an initial point in the network that is going to prioritize for emergencies; the 5060 IBC-4 allows service providers to comply with state and federal requirements for emergency services.

"The need for session border controllers (SBCs) is growing rapidly - security concerns, innovative new features and the increase in native IP deployments combine to make this an interesting and dynamic segment of the VoIP market,” said Diane Myers, directing analyst for Infonetics (News - Alert). "Alcatel-Lucent has capitalized on the dynamically changing SBC market with the introduction of 5060 IBC-4. The IBC-4 addresses the ongoing growth of integrated SBC market with field proven assets from their existing portfolio."

Able to support up to 200,000 subscribers, the 5060 IBC-4 allows service providers to police IP traffic at the network’s edge to protect the integrity of their network. According to the voice of the customer, Alcatel-Lucent’s consumers are looking for a solution to protect their network especially with DoS increasing as a threat, as well as a solution that will prioritize registration and provide a cost-effective solution.

 “With the addition of the 5060 IBC-4, Alcatel-Lucent offers the industry’s most comprehensive session border control portfolio to help wireless and fixed providers evolve their intelligent networks and deliver the ubiquitous and interactive services that today’s consumers and business users demand,” said Dominique Rasseneur, general manager of Alcatel-Lucent’s IMS and NGN business, in a statement. Numerous Tier 1 and Tier 2 service provider trials of the 5060 IBC-4 will commence globally in March.

In other news, Eric Tamblyn, vice president of Product Marketing for Alcatel-Lucent Genesys (News - Alert), will be speaking in the Session, “Transformational Call Center Results: Improving the Customer Experience,” this week at ITEXPO East.

To find out more about Alcatel-Lucent Genesys, visit the company at ITEXPO East 2011. To be held Feb. 2-4 in Miami, ITEXPO (News - Alert) is the world’s premier IP communications event. Eric Tamblyn speaking during “Transformational Call Center Results: Improving the Customer Experience.” Don’t wait. Register now.

(source: http://next-generation-communications.tmcnet.com/topics/nextgen-voice/articles/141144-alcatel-lucents-5060-ibc-4-home-growing-sbc.htm)