Telkom lights up new IMS core system
Telkom has announced that its new Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core – which forms part of its move towards an all-IP network – has been switched on.
Telkom’s network transformation program includes the following next generation upgrades:
- Revamping the access network (build of MSAN’s);
- Enhancing aggregation (fiber closer to key businesses and office parks);
- Evolving the core and migrating voice (IMS Converged Core).
At the launch of Telkom’s first MSAN unit in March 2012 Bashier Sallie, Telkom’s Managing Director of Wholesale and Networks explained that an access network is only as good as the underlying transmission and core network.
He also said at the time that Telkom had gone a long way in revamping its transmission and aggregation network.
The IMS core is Telkom’s choice of technology to deliver voice and converged offerings in its future mode of operation.
“It satisfies Telkom’s need for an overlay network that supports both emulated and simulated voice services whilst enabling efficiency and delivering fixed and mobile converged voice products,” Telkom said in a press statement.
“For Telkom, this is the most significant network intervention in 3 decades. Our current Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) voice switching equipment has reliably provided the voice platform over the past three decades, but has reached end-of-life and will reach end-of-support in 2015/16,” said Sallie.
“The IMS core will replace this seamlessly. In terms of voice applications, we are now ready for the future with the latest, best in breed technology.”
Telkom said that the IMS project was completed in six months but its own technical and engineering personnel and members of staff from equipment supplier Huawei.
The standards based IMS core that allows for the deployment of fixed and mobile services is fully redundant and caters for a larger number of customers than legacy voice systems.
The new network also affords Telkom significant savings in terms of space, power, cooling and maintenance and support.
“The technology will replace core network switching equipment that is currently based in more than 100 of Telkom’s buildings nationally. The voice aspect for all future MSAN’s that are deployed by Telkom will work off the IMS core,” Telkom said.
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