* Alcatel comments on VoIP's next challenges
In this newsletter, we wrap up our coverage of a panel discussion at the recent Next Generation Network conference, which examined VoIP’s next challenges. The panel featured representatives from Lucent, Sonus Networks and Alcatel. Today, we’ll review highlights of VoIP issues offered by Larry O’Pella, Alcatel’s director of strategic development.
O’Pella opened with a definitive perspective about VoIP, noting that, as a “terminology” VoIP means many different things to users and suppliers. He noted that “VoIP isn’t voice, but a multimedia vision for conversational services within a context of user-centric conversation.” We find his perspective both insightful and concise.
On his second point, he commented that standards work is and should continue to evolve, and that standards for wireline and wireless telephony along with Internet services infrastructure are continuing to drive improved interoperability and converged multiservice infrastructures.
Third, he showed how the future of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is analogous to the “Intelligent Network” technologies offered today, but that further work on “service delivery environment is so much more important” as an emerging technology requirement for network evolution.
Fourth, he discussed at length how business issues are as important or more important than technology issues. For example, the multiple domains offered by fixed and mobile network services and applications providers have some significant business process issues to address in a multimedia service environment; their perspectives and history are different and if they are to operate seamlessly together it will take more than an IMS architecture.
Finally, he noted that while some regulatory climates are favoring the rapid development and deployment of multimedia “conversational services,” much public policy work remains in the areas of lawful intercept, privacy and emergency services. However, he also believes that competition will probably be working more quickly as a market factor that the wait for public policy to catch up with the technology.
If you’d like to comment on these VoIP challenges or the other panelists’ perspectives we highlighted last week, please drop us an e-mail.
