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Gamma Telecom first deployed their soft switch-based next generation network in 2006 but now they are investing in a national, second generation of soft switches that will see even more intelligence being located at the core of their network. Andy Morris, Operations Director at Gamma explains.
Gamma is undertaking a programme to upgrade their current next generation network with new ‘second generation’ soft switches. Their current switches enabled Gamma to be an early mover in the next generation network market and shift the company significantly in to becoming a value-added network services applications supplier to the channel rather than just a ‘lines and minutes’ business.
For example, shifting network intelligence from the edge to the core has resulted in channel partners being able to profitably sell a wide range of inbound products.
Operations Director Andy Morris says that their new ‘second generation’ of soft switches bring further benefits for users and channel partners.
“From a technology perspective we can ‘wrap up’ all the lessons learnt over the last four or five years with regards to deploying IP networks and drive further improvements in the ‘Holy Trinity’ of robustness, quality and functionality.
“This second generation of soft switches will bring access to a broader range of services being served from the platform and will become a baseline from which Gamma can launch further voice, data and video applications through the addition of ‘service modules’ at the core.
“Additionally these new switches are far more environmentally friendly and will augment Gamma Telecom’s strategy of reducing our carbon footprint.”
Morris says that network philosophies are changing; there’s a change in architecture and a change in interconnects.
“We took a decision several years ago not to follow the pack and invest in LLU. We feel that the advent of fibre deployment past the local exchange and in many cases to the premises fully justifies this decision. The technologies we are deploying allow us to directly connect with and manage next generation access services (NGA) such as FTTC, FTTP and Ethernet which enable robust and reliable methods for implementing converged voice and data solutions.
“This allows us to retain our own investments on the actual products and services people want, rather than the line on which they are delivered.
“Gamma has already been able to gain market advantage from our deployment of soft switches in 2006, through having intelligence at the core of our network and building products and applications that exploit this architecture.
“As our implementation of second generation soft switches progresses we will see a broadening of the Gamma Telecom portfolio in 2011, the addition of data services being the most visibly tangible example. The new architecture allows Gamma to directly offer converged voice and data services off of our own network.
“The investments we are making are significant but so too will be the gains in terms of the efficiencies we will achieve on delivering products and applications and providing easy-to-use services.”