Alcatel-Lucent enables legacy PSTN to move to all-IP Ultra-Broadband Infra

NEW DELHI: Alcatel-Lucent has launched PSTN Smart Transform, a solution that enables communications providers to transition their existing voice services from ‘legacy’ PSTN (public switched telephone network) technology to more cost-effective all-IP ultra-broadband infrastructure.

The communications providers are facing significant challenges in serving more than 700 million people and businesses around the world which still rely on ‘plain old telephone service.’ Many operators rely on these PSTN networks for large revenue streams.

However, these legacy networks are becoming cost-prohibitive to operate and maintain because of aging, energy-inefficient equipment requiring extensive real estate footprints, as well as through the loss of skilled PSTN technicians.

Furthermore, PSTN networks represent additional cost for communications providers operating IP-based networks in parallel for voice services.

While many service providers are exploring ways to decommission PSTN and migrate to all-IP networks, the process is highly complex and can cause further revenue erosion if customers experience service issues.

Alcatel-Lucent’s PSTN Smart Transform provides consulting and design services that will enable the development of comprehensive PSTN transformation plans for operators to protect the business value of high-margin voice services while optimizing costs, removing network complexity and risk, and growing revenue.

The solution offers industrialized planning and migration services adaptable to any customer situation, using proven methodologies, processes and patented tools to transfer users from PSTN services to new, IP-based voice services.

"While the benefits of an IP network are strong; operators are concerned that the transformation process will disrupt high-margin revenue services. Solutions, such as Alcatel-Lucent’s PSTN Smart Transform, provide operators with field-proven products, processes and tools that enable migration of services, and associated revenue streams, to an all-IP platform while mitigating service disruptions and customer churn," said Kamalini Ganguly, Principal Senior Analyst, Service Provider & Markets, Ovum.

By using PSTN Smart Transform, service providers can reap the benefits of a PSTN transformation more quickly to gain greater operational efficiencies and create more opportunities for revenue generation. In fact, when a PSTN migration is carefully planned in tandem with an ultra-broadband deployment, the positive impact from operational savings can be reallocated to other parts of the business or used to further fuel the network transformation," said Federico Guillén, President, Fixed Networks, Alcatel-Lucent.