Is the Softswitch Finally Firming Up?
Print Comment Email Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Twitter Since the late 90s, when softswitches actually began taking shape, they have been touted as something that would dramatically impact the fundamentals of carrier operations. Not just by altering the network architecture but also by helping create new services almost at will. So, while the new softswitch-based networks would save on opex as they would be more efficient and could be better managed, the faster and simpler new service creation would help generate new revenue streams. In December 2002, when VOICE&DATA carried stories on softswitches, commercial deployments were rare and trials very few. Not only did softswitches face issues of reliability and stability, lack of volumes and crashing circuit switch prices made them less attractive and look costly from a capex perspective. Then, there were issues related to interoperability with existing TDM networks. Despite all that, the vendors were gung ho about how softswitches can help l
