Upgrading the Next-generation Network Part II

As the adoption of VoIP services increases, so do the requirements placed on the network infrastructure to support it. Currently, the next-generation network (NGN) softswitching infrastructure provides VoIP services. However, in order to support the expected increase in VoIP subscribers, the NGN must grow in both signaling and bearer capacity to handle the additional traffic.

Unlike its public switched telephone network (PSTN) counterpart, there is no separate infrastructure at the NGN core to facilitate signaling between network elements. Rather, the NGN elements utilize direct signaling connections, forming a mesh-like network architecture. An NGN network element must handle any session-related tasks such as routing, traffic management, redundancy and service implementation.