Developing standards for better VoIP services

Stuart Corner
Sunday, 17 June 2007 12:52

Business IT - Technology

"Telstra estimates that next generation networks (NGNs) will be developed as carriers replace their TDM based core switching and access networks with IP or packet based networks that deliver end-to-end QoS to broadband access providers who enter the market and offer voice and other services. Inter-working of these carrier grade networks is likely to be based on dedicated NGN interconnect arrangements which would, themselves, be based on evolving international standards."

A more impartial response came from the UK's telecoms regulator, Ofcom, which described the discussion paper as providing "a particularly well-written and comprehensive survey of the various technical approaches which can be employed to manage quality of service."

However, it too cautioned CA against straying from the path of international standards. "We are trying hard to avoid the development of UK-specific standards in this area, since the UK is simply too small a market for this to be a sensible way forward."

CA is well aware that, with a population only one third that of the UK, Australia can even less afford to stray too far from the path of international standards. And the issues it is dealing with have importance that extends well beyond VoIP.

As ACMA said in its response to th discussion paper: "VoIP is considered as the first of a suite of next generation network multimedia services. It is preferred that QoS approaches be developed so that they may be applied to other NGN services, for example real-time interactive video calls."

VoIP feature