VoIP Softswitch Defined

By Spencer D. Chin
TMCnet Web Editor

A softswitch does what a physical switchboard used to do for many years in phone networks: it connects calls between phone lines, controlling connections at the junction point between circuit and packet networks. Rather than hardware, it relies on software to perform telephone circuit switching.

With voice over Internet Protocol continuing to gain in usage, a VoIP softswitch that routes voice and data is becoming a necessary component. A VoIP softswitch has programmable routing intelligence that searches for available VoIP gateways or domains to place calls to the PSTN.

Besides traditional PSTN networks, a VoIP softswitch may interface ATM and IP networks as well as Ethernet interfaces to connect VoIP calls. A VoIP softswitch typically has call-control intelligence that enables it to establish, maintain, tour, and terminate voice calls. It also acts as an interface for enhanced service and application platforms.

Also of benefit in a VoIP softswitch, call center intelligence functions instruct the media gateway to connect media streams to the call – transparent to the end user.

A VoIP softswitch can be part of a robust IP call center solution. For instance, Dialexia’s Dial-Gate softswitch serves as the core of a carrier-class VoIP softswitch billing solution based on open standards such as SIP.

The VoIP softswitch can be configured and enhanced to host an unlimited number of call shops, and manage a flexible billing service handling a constantly changing set of subscribers.

Given the fluid, rapidly changing nature of today’s businesses, a VoIP softswitch is an essential component in performing call traffic routing and service functions.

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Spencer Chin is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.