SOLUTION BRIEF

Optimized Domain Selection and Routing

Ensures service continuity and seamless service mediation between legacy and new, IP networks.

Overview
Next-generation operators are continually dealing with the challenges of evolving and modernizing their networks. To better cope with the explosive growth of data-enabled devices and the swelling traffic driven by new bandwidth-hungry applications, many operators are moving to all-Internet protocol (IP) networks. They are relying either on pre-IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) solutions or standardscompliant IMS networks for the delivery of services. Regardless of the implementation choice, given the scale of the legacy infrastructure, it will take years before operators can fully evolve their network to all IP. As operators make the transition, the key challenge is to bridge the discontinuity between the legacy, circuit-switched (CS) domain and the new, IP networks. A critical aspect of this evolution is ensuring service continuity and seamless service mediation between networks, while improving the end-users experience. The Third Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) addresses this issue in the context of a pure-play, voice over IP (VoIP) IMS deployment, where all calls are anchored in the IMS domain. This approach, despite being well defined in the standards documents, does not fit the real-world where everything isnt IMS. Moreover, its inefficient because all calls must be tromboned or anchored to IMS even those that wont be delivered via IP because the user is not registered in an IMS network.

The Challenge
One issue with this approach is that its inefficient since many calls ultimately destined for the circuit network must be processed by the call session control function (CSCF). From the operators perspective, this means that the CSCF must scale to handle all terminating calls from the entire subscriber base not just those that are IMS enabled. This precludes the ability to gradually scale the IMS network as the number of subscribers in that domain grows. Another problem is the fact that running calls destined for the circuit network through the CSCF and home subscriber server (HSS) introduces additional hops in call processing, which can result in call delay. Furthermore, the extra processing can negatively impact the signaling network and necessitate an increase in signaling capacity. Similar problems occur when routing short message service (SMS) messages from circuit to IMS networks.

Tekelecs Domain Selection and Routing Solution

Tekelec has leveraged its subscriber data management (SDM) product family for implementing the flexible Optimized Domain Selection and Routing Solution. The solution is based on Tekelecs session initiation protocol (SIP)-enabled next generation home location register (ngHLR), a multi-profile database that consolidates cross-domain subscriber data.

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The Optimized Domain Selection and Routing Solution supports termination of CS calls and SMS to IMS-registered subscribers based on registration status. Smartphone users with an IMS client can make or receive calls and SMSs on/ from both the CS and IMS domains. The flexible solution supports different deployment models such as relay and redirect. The benefits can be extended to the delivery of a variety of services across domains. The solution interworks with legacy HLRs as well as IMS HSSs and can be deployed in IP-enabled networks, including long term evolution (LTE). The solution supports both preIMS or IMS network scenarios.

Traditional Solution (3GPP IMS-centric)

Requires MT-call/SMS anchoring to IMS domain Expensive deployment of IMS and media gateways Separate HLR and HSS

Tekelec Optimized Domain Selection and Routing

Real-time subscriber status used for routing decision of MT-call/SMS MT calls/SMS are routed to IMS only when needed Keep MT-Call/SMS routing to HLR when subscriber is not SIP/IMS-registered Interworks with legacy HLR and IMS HSS but can also be enriched with Tekelecs integrated ngHLR and IMS HSS

CS Voice subs >90%

VoIP reachable subs <10% IP-capable access network

CS Voice subs >90%

VoIP reachable subs <10% IP-capable access network

2G/3G
IMS registration

2G/3G
IMS registration

Benets
With Tekelecs Optimized Domain Selection and Routing Solution, operators can: Create scalable IMS networks: Operators can manage the costs of their IMS networks by scaling IMS resources like CSCFs gradually as demand increases. Improve routing in pre-IMS and non-standard IMS networks: Operators do not need to deploy an IMS network to benefit from optimized domain selection and routing. Tekelecs solution works in any pre-IMS VoIP environment where the SIP proxy/softswitch is capable of performing third-party registrations. Reduce start-up cost: Rather than having to overbuild the network at startup, operators can purchase just the amount of equipment they need to meet existing demand. Terminate SMS messages to SIP-enabled devices: With a single solution, mobile providers can cost effectively terminate both voice and SMS messages to the IP domain.

SIP-enabled ngHLR Domain Selection and Routing IMS GMSC

MT call anchoring/ tromboning through IMS for all calls

IMS

GMSC PSTN

PSTN

MT call redirection to IMS only when needed

IMS 3rd-party registration

Figure 1. A Comparison of the 3GPP IMS-centric Routing Model and Tekelecs Domain Selection and Routing Solution Reduce network latency: The number of network hops required to process calls is minimized, which reduces setup time by half since only one network processes the data. Improve network routing: Tekelecs solution streamlines routing to minimize delays, reduce signaling loads, and prevent bottlenecks. Deploy cost-effective voice over LTE services: LTE is the perfect environment in which to deploy Tekelecs Domain Selection and Routing Solution to provide intelligence, optimize the network, and reduce costs.

Tekelec Global Headquarters +1.919.460.5500 888.628.5527 sales@tekelec.com

EMEA +44.1784.437000 APAC +65.6796.2288 CALA +1.919.460.5500

Tekelec has more than 25 ofces worldwide serving customers in more than 100 countries. Addresses, phone and fax numbers are listed on the Tekelec website at www.tekelec.com/ofces.

2011 Tekelec, Inc. All rights reserved. The EAGLE and Tekelec logos are registered trademarks of Tekelec. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. TKLC-PB-046-02-2011 This document is for informational purposes only, and Tekelec reserves the right to change any aspect of the products, features or functionality described in this document without notice. Please contact Tekelec for additional information and updates.