Westwave’s new breed of softswitch

(Telephony) Westwave Communications today debuted the architecture behind what the company calls a new category of switching--access switching. Putting a new spin on the softswitch, the company hopes to take advantage of the massive number of next-generation digital loop carriers deployed across the country. By using its Open Access Architecture access switch at the DLC, Westwave’s platform can provide dial tone, call control and signaling.

Standard software-based protocols enable the access switch to relay service requests and services between customers and carriers via the local access network. Whereas softswitches today try to do the same, they have had little success in evolving to meet user demand and scale, because softswitch deployment traditionally has been behind the Class 5 switch, said Elda Rudd, vice president of marketing for Westwave.

Westwave set out to bring dial tone closer to the user. By locating the access switch closer to the edge--in front of the Class 5--voice and data dial tone and intelligence move to the edge, she said. In addition, capacity can be turned on and off based on service requirements.

Current network architecture and equipment forces carriers to locate DSL, virtual private network and voice over IP or DSL platforms in the central office and rely on the Class 5 to access customers. But Westwave’s access switch can distinguish services and provision resources using its own call control and signaling--a capability that today’s softswitches cannot provides, said Rudd.

The platform will allow service providers to enter the market faster without buying a Class 5 switch or relying on an incumbent’s Class 5 switch. And the standards-based software allows service providers to contract third-party developers to create new innovative services.

Currently Westwave has an exclusive license agreement with Alcatel. And the Open Access Architecture provides call control functions for TDM, voice over IP and ATM telephony for Alcatel’s Litespan DLC. Westwave plans to partner with other DLC equipment providers in the near future, said Rudd.