Metaswitch Offers Compact Softswitch

LAS VEGAS -- MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next-generation carrier switching solutions, today announced the introduction of three new products designed to ease the migration to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks. Based on a common small form-factor chassis, the MetaSwitch VP2510 integrated softswitch, MG2510 media gateway and SG2510 signaling gateway deliver the same carrier-class reliability and scalable performance as the widely-deployed MetaSwitch VP3510, MG3510 and SG3510. The new products share an identical architecture to the larger 3510-based systems, offering the same comprehensive protocol support while increasing rack-space efficiency by up to 40 percent. MetaSwitch's newest product range is ideal for end office deployments in the large distributed networks of regional and national carriers, complementing the 3510's high-end scalability that suits denser regional switching centers.

The MG2510 and SG2510 implement the media and signaling gateway functions of the IMS architecture, under control of a media gateway control function such as MetaSwitch's CA9020 Call Agent, using the H.248 protocol as defined by IMS. These options offer future-proof scalability for large networks and allow build-out according to the carrier's preferences. The MG2510 was designed in response to strong market demand for a fully-redundant media gateway that would scale down to enable carriers to deploy trunking closer to the subscriber. For the most cost-effective network design, the MG2510 makes it easier for carriers to decide how and where to route traffic and avoid backhauling across the network.

"With the MG2510, MetaSwitch is establishing a new benchmark for rack-space efficiency, and appealing to regional and national carriers with highly dispersed subscriber coverage areas that are best served by a solution that can be cost-effectively distributed," said Joe McGarvey, principal analyst with Current Analysis. "In addition, the smaller scale of the VP2510 integrated softswitch configuration also addresses the market need for a migration path for standalone end office switch locations."

In its alternative VP2510 configuration, the new platform represents the industry's most compact integrated softswitch, combining a call agent, media gateway, media server, application server and signaling gateway in the same switch. A genuine alternative to legacy Class 4 and Class 5 telecom switches, the VP2510 retains all of the VP3510's VoIP capabilities and performance advantages in a smaller, lower power chassis supporting up to 15,000 subscribers. Today, 80 percent of Class 5 switches in North America have fewer than 10,000 lines, so the VP2510 is a cost-effective replacement for this large installed base.

MetaSwitch customer Blackfoot Communications is deploying the MG2510 as part of its migration from a legacy host/remote network to an all-fiber, packet-based architecture across 23 communities in Montana. "The combination of the rich subscriber services supported by MetaSwitch's call agent and application server platform, and the cost-effective scalability of the MG2510 Media Gateway, is extremely compelling for carriers like us with a widely-distributed subscriber base," said Dave Martin, Blackfoot director of technology. "MetaSwitch's plans for the MG2510 were a key factor in our decision to adopt their technology earlier this year."

"We are seeing tremendous growth and market acceptance of our VoIP solutions among service providers of all sizes," said Andy Randall, vice president of marketing at MetaSwitch. "With this new product range, we are responding to the clear market demand for a smaller footprint switching platform with the full breadth of features and the carrier-class reliability that customers have come to expect from MetaSwitch. We are expecting the 2510 to become an extremely popular option among our customers."

MetaSwitch