The core switching network
elements found in current wireless networks are called
Mobile Switching Centers (MSC). In most cases, MSCs were
created by adding wireless-specific interfaces and mobility
management functions to existing circuit-switched Class 5 or
Class 4 switches. As a result, the incumbent MSC vendors are
also traditional switch vendors, such as Ericsson, Nortel,
Siemens, Nokia, Lucent, and Alcatel.
Because of the tremendous growth in the number of wireless
subscribers and their minutes of use, wireless carriers are continually
adding additional capacity to their voice networks. At the
same time, to provide data services, new elements (SGSN,
GGSN, etc.) are also being added to the network. Furthermore,
the evolution of wireless networks to 3G and packet networking—
and thereafter to all-IP networks—is leading to the addition
of more core switching network elements. The end result is
a very complex core network, as depicted in Figure 1-11.
Next generation networks will be comprised of really three
types—2, 2.5G, and 3G networks. Each network adds features
and therefore requires different interfaces. Compound this
with support for circuit switched and packet switched and you
have a major headache to connect.
This “patchwork” approach leads to duplicity of functional
blocks and unnecessary capital expense (CAPEX) and operation
expense (OPEX) costs for the operator. Furthermore, the
service logic of voice and data and 2G and 3G remain disparate;
this results in slow roll-out of new services. Separate
service logic for voice and data also makes it nearly impossible
to deliver hybrid multimedia services that require voice–data
service integration.
Incumbent core network vendors are not addressing adequately
the migration to 3G networks because all their 2G
products (as well as some of their 3G products) are still based
on old, highly proprietary platforms and their approach to
adding new functionality is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
New products are needed to simplify and streamline the network.
A cohesive technology is required to build the next generation,
packet-based, unified core switching platform that will
satisfy all the voice and data core switching needs of the wireless
operator. This new network architecture will lead them to
profitability by significantly reducing OPEX and CAPEX and
enabling rapid deployment of unique new services.