Tekelec bridges the SIP/SS7 gap with new gateway

CHICAGO--

Signaling and softswitch provider Tekelec introduced a new gateway this week at Supercomm that connects session initiation protocol-based network elements with the intelligent network services of the legacy network by way of signaling system 7.

The SIP/SS7 gateway allows voice-over-IP providers to access traditional IN services such as 800-number and number portability without having to replicate the required databases on the next-generation network.

“It doesn’t make any business sense to replicate a LIDB database in the next-generation network using SIP when we can just connect them,” said Dan Bantukul, senior product manager at Tekelec.

He also said it is also less risky to roll out the next-generation network because the services are already up and running on the TDM side, and carriers can reuse them and not risk launching them again.

The gateway is designed to provide a migration path for carriers transitioning to packet-based networks. It eliminates the need to convert signaling from voice over IP to time division multiplexing and back again. It also supports transaction management for IN and SIP domains. It acts as a SIP redirect server when in the SIP domain and as a service switching point when in the IN domain.

The main platform for the gateway will be as a card that works on Tekelec’s Eagle STP platform. “The card is integrated with the STP because access to the TDM network is best done at the STP,” Bantukul said.

However, the gateway also will be offered in a standalone configuration that works in other signaling environment. Tekelec is planning other gateways as well, such as one for integrating the telephony network with enterprise networks though Microsoft .NET and Java Enterprise platforms.

“To connect just the telecom network is very limiting,” Bantukul said. “Once you are in an IP connection, you can go to a .NET framework and really take advantage of all the enterprise applications out there.”

Tekelec will demonstrate the product at Supercomm 2004 and will be entering a trial at the end of this month with a major legacy wireline provider.