* News highlights from Spring 2007 VON
While we weren’t able to attend Spring 2007 VON last week, we did take note of the dozens of announcements timed to coincide with the conference. Today, we’ll cover two announcements that caught our attention.
Cisco announced enhancements to its IP Next-Generation Network architecture that integrate session border control (SBC) and other security applications. Specifically, it introduced a new Multi-Service Blade (MSB) for the Cisco XR 12000 Series routing platform that offers integral, route-aware, firewall and video/voice SBC functionality based on Cisco’s TelePresence Meeting. Cisco stated in its press release that the MSB eliminates the need for stand-alone appliances that provide SBC capability and other security features with per-session control and management based on SIP and H.323 signaling management protocols.
Our analysis: While Cisco’s claim about eliminating the need for stand-alone SBCs might be valid for some large Cisco-supplied networks, we contend that SBC functionality needs to exist in many parts of the network — including both carrier and enterprise networks. We also note that integrating the SBC FUNCTIONALITY is more important than delivering SBC capability in a particular piece of hardware, and we expect to see others similarly integrate these SBC capabilities in network devices.
The second announcement that we found to be an important indicator of VoIP industry trends was an announcement from Global Crossing; the company is expanding its VoIP Local Service availability in Asia, Europe and the United States. Global Crossing also stated it has automated Local Number Portability and added a Calling Name service. The company’s Local Number Portability service lets subscribers keep their original phone numbers when they change local or wireless carriers while the Calling Name Delivery service provides calling party name, along with calling party number, on inbound calls.
Our analysis: We believe that global service providers should increasingly focus on providing both local and global service; even businesses that “act globally” must operate locally. And we think that services like LNP and calling name services are critical to any business customer that is considering a transition from traditional voice to VoIP.
Next time: Our commentary and analysis on the March 23 Verizon vs. Vonage decision.
