SIP (session initiation protocol) -based communications are among the fastest growing services in both business and consumer-based networks and applications. Most industry experts, providers and customers agree that these networks do not have the same level of reliability and redundancy as traditional telecom networks, which rely heavily on SS7 (Signalling System #7) to ensure uptime and connection reliability. Aculab’s DRSS helps service providers achieve IP network reliability similar to TDM-based SS7 networks. As a result, communications service providers using DRSS functionality – including hosted voice, conferencing, chat, and contact centre vendors – will be able to better meet the growing expectations of customers who expect ‘always on’ performance from critical SIP-based services.
“A growing number of service providers are choosing an IP infrastructure to deliver mission critical services, like voice, conferencing – even emergency services – to consumers and enterprises,” explains Chris Gravett, Sales and Marketing Director at Aculab. “While IP networks offer a number of profound economic and operational benefits, they have evolved in a ‘best effort’ environment and do not possess the same inherent degree of resilience and redundancy as traditional PSTN networks. Our Dual Redundant SIP Service helps these providers meet the needs of their customers by increasing the reliability of IP networks to a level similar to legacy TDM environments.”
According to estimates from Ovum, a London-based market research firm, hosted communications services are estimated to grow from $2.2 billion in 2008 to some $9 billion in 2014, with an overwhelming majority expected to be SIP-based services. In addition, Ovum anticipates that enterprise-based hosted services, including disaster recovery and business continuity services, will grow some 30 per cent over the next three years.
“The evidence clearly indicates that more and more communications services will come from the cloud,” notes Mike Sapien, Senior Analyst with Ovum. “The challenge for providers is that businesses and consumers expect SIP-based services to behave in a manner similar to the services they’ve experienced in legacy networks, even though the IP network still lags in terms of redundancy and performance. Aculab’s Dual Redundant SIP Service is a unique solution that gives service providers a compelling and cost-effective tool that not only improves the overall quality of SIP-based services, but most importantly, satisfies the demands of a discerning marketplace.”