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Telecommunications operators, consulting companies and equipment manufacturers unanimously say that fixed communications are currently on the verge of big changes. In this regard, the question inevitably arises: “What is this transition, and what will be the first step that operators should take along this path?”

Structural changes

In July 2005, the world-famous consulting agency Gartner published the results of a study conducted in the field of telecommunications. It turned out that total revenue from voice and data services in 2005 was $478 billion and $261 billion, respectively. It is expected that by 2009, revenue from fixed-line voice services will fall by 14% to 411 billion, while revenue from data services will grow by as much as 67% to 387 billion. Currently, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing strong economic recovery, however, despite this, not many fixed network operators can boast of high incomes. Moreover, this trend is global.

The factors that stimulated such processes include: a) general saturation of the market for fixed-line communication services; b) shift of subscribers’ preferences towards networks mobile communications when choosing voice services. Although advances in broadband access technologies have expanded the overall capacity of fixed-line networks, broadband networks cannot provide the same ROI (return on investment) as TDM multiplexing-based switching. In addition, new broadband technologies and applications such as VoIP, video services and messaging text messages are well within the profit level of TDM voice technologies.

The rapid popularization of broadband access, as well as the emergence of a large number of Internet providers, stimulated the emergence of complex non-voice services, including data transmission, content and integrated data. It is obvious that currently there is still no established infrastructure for broadband services, there is no generally accepted management strategy and profit generation policy.

Behind Lately appeared great amount new technologies and standards. Broadband technologies, WiMAX, HSDPA and GPON are able to provide effective methods voice communication and, by and large, are capable of completely replacing traditional methods of transmission over copper lines. Technologies are being unified, and differences in the level of technical development between different countries are disappearing. A large number of Internet companies, manufacturers software and system integrators have turned to the field of voice communications. A significant event was the alignment of positions of brands such as Skype and MSN.

Today, the field of telecommunications is undergoing significant changes. Voice services fixed networks are gradually being replaced by similar mobile communication services, some operators are absorbing others, completely new information and communication technologies are replacing traditional ones, and additional types of services are beginning to prevail over basic ones. The vast majority of the world's leading operators unanimously support the transition from traditional separate services to integrated ones.

Fixed network modernization strategies

The evolution of the fixed-line network is a long process involving several stages. It is very important that each of them is completed efficiently and in a timely manner, since the previous stage predetermines the success of the subsequent one.

Each stage must be preceded by painstaking technical and economic analysis. In order for all ongoing transformations to be successful, it is necessary to perform a number of tests and assessments and predict the results.

One of the most important moments modernization involves operators reviewing traditional business models and developing new operating mechanisms in accordance with the latest technologies. An integral part of this process is the transformation of the structure of the operator company itself.

From a service perspective, the NGN network aims to provide high-quality, differentiated, next-generation services. These services, operating alongside traditional services, are designed to provide telecommunications operators with new sources of profit. Revenue generated from traditional voice services is a source that can be used to finance the deployment of new equipment and services.

From a technical point of view, the restructuring of the network is carried out by adding SoftSwitch equipment to its structure, with the help of which a new type of IP network is created with an open, distributed architecture and support for various applications. Some of the advantages of this equipment- large capacity, distributed and open architecture. They help reduce the cost of network construction, simplify the process of updating old services and introducing new services.

With such an IP solution in place, operators will not be afraid of any transformation that may occur in the future. After the SoftSwitch equipment is deployed in the network, you can begin to implement various service networks, unify the structure, and begin deploying certain services throughout the entire network. This avoids the large costs associated with the high cost of deploying and maintaining separate service networks, and also greatly simplifies the administration process.

SoftSwitch equipment has been successfully commercially validated and can be used to replace legacy switching equipment and provide long-distance VoIP services along with integrated C5 business applications. For most fixed-line operators, the availability of sufficient copper line resources is very important to operate broadband access.

Using SoftSwitch equipment, operators will be able to provide low-cost voice services with QoS guarantee. The next step after implementing SoftSwitch equipment is the creation of an IMS system that will be responsible for multimedia services.

Long term prospects

Long-term prospects for the development of fixed-line networks include the following areas: support for broadband access; introduction of intelligent and personalized services; focus on compactness and accessibility. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to carry out significant transformations at the level of the core network, access network, service platform, as well as in the field of management and operation.

Core network

One of the most important qualities What sets NGN networks apart is efficient management at the core network level.

Working with integrated services that combine voice, video and multimedia is impossible without effective management at the core network level. SoftSwitch equipment, by supporting all necessary protocols, including SS7, H.248/MGCP and SIP, allows operators to create competitive services of this type.

The second important condition is the presence of a unified user database. The disadvantage of traditional TDM switches is that their databases are integrated and, as a result, are isolated from the rest of the equipment. This creates certain difficulties during its deployment, which ultimately leads to high financial costs. The solution in this case is to create individual databases for each user, accessible from anywhere on the network. This will make user access more flexible and universal, and will make it possible to work with various services. A single platform with broad functionality will allow you to effectively manage all parameters of subscriber services (quality and class of service, tariffs, etc.).

The third requirement is sufficient core network capacity. The traditional IP transport network is often unable to provide the necessary speed for the latest services provided in real time. In addition, subscribers, as a rule, draw conclusions about the quality of the operator’s work precisely on this basis. This is why operators simply need to increase the capacity of their core networks.

The fourth requirement is the availability of standard open interfaces communications and management. This allows you to significantly speed up the process of transition to a new type of network, involving a larger number of providers and stations in it, and fully use existing network resources. In the case of closed interfaces, the process of managing the network, its resources, databases, and centralized management subscribers will be impossible, which will significantly complicate the transition.

Access network

Today, the key areas of development of core networks are DWDM, ASON and IPv6. As for access networks, the main trend here is the introduction of broadband technologies.

Operators try to select access equipment in accordance with the amount of resources available at a given level, the requirements for broadband access and service deployment, as well as the level of technical development and economic considerations. Currently continuing its development ADSL technology. Its ADSL2+ version has already been launched into commercial use. Due to its practicality, an integrated MSAN access network based on this technology has become widely used among fixed-line operators. She supports voice interfaces TDM, ADSL, FTTH and WiMAX, a number of optical interfaces EPON and GRON, which, according to experts, will soon become one of the generally accepted standards for the access network.

Service platform

In the NGN architecture, the service layer is an integrated access platform, which, in addition to traditional services, is responsible for providing users with various remote services, multimedia services, and also performs management functions. For this purpose, a traditional intelligent SCP, an AAA server, an application server and an open interface gateway are used. It is expected that in the future NGN networks will have more open API interfaces and platforms for working with various applications broadband and mobile access.

In terms of management and administration, it is necessary to develop effective management strategies, a convenient charging system and a profit distribution algorithm.

Stages of modernization of fixed communication networks

As noted above, the evolution of the PSTN network to NGN is a gradual, long-term process. It involves the introduction of new equipment at the core network level, broadband access network and the creation new platform services. This process includes the following steps:

Stage 1:
a) Implementation of Softswitch equipment
b) Cost reduction by optimizing the network structure

There are two strategies for PSTN network evolution. The first involves a complete restructuring of the network, the second - modernization using existing capacities.
It is clear that the latter is preferable for most operators. As part of this strategy, SoftSwitch equipment is being introduced into the network structure at the hardware level, on the basis of which the entire process of modernizing the PSTN network is being implemented.

The main goal of the modernization is to optimize the network architecture and reduce maintenance costs. At the same time, resources of copper lines are preserved and replacement of existing subscriber terminals is not required. As for the strategy that involves a complete restructuring of the network, it is more suitable for those operators who are introducing new remote services using special multimedia terminals. Statistics show that such people are in the minority.

In order to carry out modernization based on this strategy, core network The operator must be an IP network, and the core network must fully support MPLS. In addition to implementing SoftSwitch equipment, it is necessary to create user databases at the management level. In the future, this will enable smart narrowband and broadband services. In addition, BOSS and OSS should be fully supported.

Due to the global spread of broadband access and popularization IPTV services The access level is undergoing a major overhaul. Huawei proposes an integrated IP gateway (MSAN) architecture that provides narrowband and broadband services as the most rational solution for organizing this layer structure.

Stage 2:

a) Strategic business planning
b) Expanding the range of services by introducing video services, streaming and ICT

This stage can be divided into 3 phases:

The first phase involves optimizing the network architecture through the introduction of SoftSwitch equipment, an independent user database and an integrated MSAN access gateway. This allows you to work with a new IP network, preserving existing PSTN resources, and significantly reduce operating costs. At this stage, it is necessary to develop a business strategy that would stimulate the creation of new remote branches and use the full potential of SoftSwitch and MSAN equipment.

Next, it becomes possible to use PCs and multimedia PDA terminals to work with video conferencing, universal personal services and ICT services. Content databases can be created, streaming, multimedia services can be provided - such as IPTV, VOD, VoIP, Triple Play and etc.

The last phase involves a gradual expansion of network capacity, centralization of services and ICT provision, the creation of new methods of system integration, consulting and outsourcing.

Focus on at this stage The focus should be on creating a strong business model to guide the transition from CT to ICT, as well as an effective broadband delivery strategy. A well-developed business model in this case is the key to transforming a telecommunications service operator, in the generally accepted sense, into a provider of universal information services.

Stage 3:

Evolution of Softswitch equipment

Softwitch equipment can further evolve to IMS (IP-based multimedia subsystem) and provide IP multimedia services with QoS guarantee. Over the next 3-5 years, IMS systems pioneered by 3GPP are expected to mature to a mature level. SoftSwitch hardware has the potential to evolve to IMS and further to AGCF and MGCF, and databases can be upgraded to HSS. Thanks to their expandability, access gateways can continually increase capacity at a relatively low cost. Usage SIP protocol will allow you to finally separate the network core from the access layer, combine fixed and mobile networks, share TDM and IP technologies, implement end-to-end resource management, dispatch and differentiate services (voice, video and multimedia) based on QoS.

12/11/2017, Mon, 12:36, Moscow time

IP telephony is gradually displacing traditional fixed-line communications from the market. More than 150 operators provide similar services on the Russian market. How to choose the most reliable one from them?

IP telephony is one of the most actively developing areas Russian telecommunications market. Analysts at J’son & Partners talk about the growth of this segment by an average of 30% per year in the period from 2010-2016. According to TelecomDaily estimates, in 2016 the volume of cloud PBX services increased by 16%. At the same time, all experts note that growth is due to the displacement of fixed-line communication services in the B2B segment.

IP telephony services are available wherever there is a data network. Their undoubted advantages include the absence of costs for equipment and support - this is handled by the provider, quick setup, convenient user interface and the ability to obtain analytics in real time. In addition, providers of such services are constantly working to expand functionality - integration with business applications, such as CRM and ERP, and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of various advertising channels.

Among the main trends in this market are convergence, which increases the flexibility of business processes, mobility and the development of standard interfaces for rapid integration. Customers want to be able to independently and quickly change the configuration cloud PBX and its capacity, add new services.

Despite undeniable advantages IP telephony, today Russian market it is most in demand by small and medium-sized businesses. Large companies are traditionally more conservative and wary of the idea of ​​abandoning fixed-line services in corporate communications. At the same time, large operators in Europe and the USA are already preparing to completely stop supporting them by 2025 traditional channels and switch to broadband networks.

How to choose a provider

The Russian IP telephony market is highly competitive. However, most of the companies represented there are regional, focused on small businesses and do not have the infrastructure and resources to provide this service with high quality. The list of operators capable of providing services that fully meet the requirements of medium and especially large customers for communication quality, adaptability, security, reliability, SLA is not so long. Among them is the Beeline company, which has its own infrastructure and powerful technological base, has the resources to invest in technology development, and also has world-class expertise in IP telephony.

Today, IP telephony is actively developing thanks to cloud solutions– intelligent platforms, such as “ Mobile Enterprise»

Fixed telephone communications– recent years or just the beginning?

Even 20 years ago availability landline phone there was in the apartment important factor. For many people, it opened a window into the world of communication with relatives, friends and acquaintances, and distances played almost no role. The presence of a subscriber line increased not only the status of its inhabitants, but also the cost of housing. Moreover, potential subscribers were ready to pay any money, stand in queues and even go the “last mile” on their own for the sake of the coveted socket near the baseboard. However, with the advent of mobile communications, and especially cellular, the PSTN monopoly was destroyed. The benefits of a new means of communication are countless and now more and more people are choosing mobile communications. However, despite the comparable cost, lack of mobility and wide range of additional services now it's too early to say goodbye landline connection. It has some advantages that are not visible at first glance, which give it the right to exist in the future.

Advantages cellular communications over the stationary are obvious. Let's consider reverse side this question. The most noticeable difference between fixed and mobile communications is the way they are organized. last mile", i.e. connections between the network core and . At any mobile network There is an area where a radio connection is used. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. The radio connection allows the subscriber to move in space. However, this is the least protected section of the network, because access to it is practically unprotected. It can be affected by both internal and external interference, and the only protection will be the noise immunity of the system itself. Despite the abundance of various algorithms for counteracting interference, some of them still have a negative impact. This, in turn, leads to interference during telephone conversation, loss of communication and disconnection. In the PSTN, the access network is based on wired connection(copper and/or optical network), which is much more noise-resistant. In addition, another disadvantage of a radio connection is its lower resistance to attackers, who can both read information from the radio air and interfere with the operation of the system. However last problem largely solved with the advent of cellular communication systems of the third () and fourth () generations. Also, a fixed network is usually built with much less potential for blocking on the access network than a cellular network. In addition, it should be noted that in practice fixed networks are more resistant to critical situations. During emergency situations Cellular networks are overloaded faster than fixed-line networks and cannot serve as a guaranteed method of communication.

The noted advantages provide reasons for the existence of fixed networks in the future. But, most likely, they will no longer be similar to the previously existing networks. The networks currently in use are morally and physically obsolete and cannot meet all existing subscriber demands. The main changes will affect, firstly, the method of organization. These will no longer be “thick” bundles of worn-out copper wires, but ones that will fit all the way to the apartment. The use of broadband is due to the ever-increasing needs for the quality and speed of Internet access. It is clear that if you have a high-speed communication line, there is no need for twisted pair cables. The second major change will be the transition from circuit switching technology to packet switching. The protocol will most likely be used, which will ultimately give the technology - effective method organizing voice streams in data transmission channels.

Thus, according to at least In the next few decades, fixed-line communications will still occupy a significant segment of the telecommunications market. The main task of fixed-line operators is not to miss the spirit of the times and carry out timely modernization of the operating network.

landline literally “land line”) - a telephone connection between telephone users, through wires - copper or optical cables. This term, as a rule, describes telephone services provided by telecom operators in various areas (cities, regions) of the country. In terms of connection type, it is significantly inferior to cellular communication, since the range of wired communication is limited to a short distance from the place where the access point is installed (for copper cable, usually about 100 meters). In cellular communications, the access point is located in the telephone and communication is carried out with a base station, the distance to which can be from several hundred meters to several kilometers. There is also the concept of “local telephone service,” which describes a telephone connection within a populated area. Wired telephone communication appeared much earlier than mobile communication and over more than 100 years of development history it has gained truly massive popularity. Telephone conversations have become part of Everyday life society precisely during the peak of the development of wired telephony. Although the process of “telephonization”, i.e. The installation of the necessary telephone equipment, the laying of cable facilities and, in general, ensuring access to telephone communications (primarily wired) for all segments of the population in some regions of the world is still actively ongoing.

World statistics showed that in 2013 there were about 1.16 billion fixed-line subscribers in the world.

According to representatives of fixed-line operators obtained in 2008–2009, expenses for local telephone communications constitute a small share in the consumer basket and are the last on the list for reduction in crisis conditions. In the spring of 2009, telephone operators increased tariffs for local calls, apparently hoping to thereby insure themselves against further stagnation of income. However, this step may provoke the opposite effect - the transition of some subscribers to unlimited tariff to lower tariffs (combined and time-based) with more active use of cellular communications (the emergence of a number of new dumping offers mobile operators will contribute to this) and alternative voice services (Skype, SIPNET, etc.). However, such a scenario is possible only in the event of a noticeable intensification of crisis phenomena, when the share of communication costs becomes significantly higher than today's figures. Currently, the ARPU of cellular communications in Russia averages $10; The monthly expenses of Russians per telephone line are approximately the same.

Wired telephone operators believe that during the crisis of 2008-2009. Fixed-line communication has again become a favorite, refuting all predictions about its imminent demise. Moreover, in 2009, MGTS, for example, recorded “a significant increase in demand for the installation of fixed telephones.” In total, in 2008, 1.1 million applications for the installation of telephones were satisfied, and the number of applications for the installation of an apartment telephone as of January 1, 2009 amounted to 602.3 thousand.

In 2008, the probable forecast of market dynamics local communications was assessed as a planned slight growth (generally lower than the growth rate of the entire market) at a level of several percent within the established tariffs.

Links

• UK Landline - Compare Landline with Homephonechoices.co.uk - Archived from the original on 18 January 2003
• http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2009/PIP%20Teens%20and%20Mobile%20Phones%20Data%20Memo.pdf

Since the beginning of the last century, businessmen, military men and professional revolutionaries knew for sure that if they controlled communications, this would guarantee them at least half of their success. MGTS has been providing telephone services for 127 years. It began operating in 1882 as a manual telephone exchange at 6 Kuznetsky Most in the house of the merchant Popov, and is now one of the largest local wire communications companies in Europe. It is through her example that we will consider all stages of the development of telephone communications in Russia.

Fixed connections

Opened in 1882, telephone company Bella had only 26 subscribers. But even before the beginning of the new century, she managed to collect about 3 thousand more - for those times the record was truly remarkable. By the way, back then the numbers consisted of only four digits - it was difficult to get lost, and telephone directories were not as voluminous as they are now. A little later, on December 31, 1898, the longest Moscow-St. Petersburg intercity line in Europe opened. By the way, the intercity station was located on Myasnitskaya Street, where the Central Telegraph Office was located (now the building of the Main Moscow Post Office).

The first telephone sets, external bells (the machines didn’t have them at first) and switchboards.

A telephone set mounted on the wall - there is no dial dial, all connections are through the operator, but there is a knob on the right, by turning which you could call a “young lady”.

But fixed-line communications gained true scope at the very beginning of the 20th century, when ownership of the Moscow telephone network passed to the Swedish-Danish-Russian joint-stock company. To popularize the service, talented managers lowered prices and began modernization - easily torn wires (the so-called "air wires") were removed into underground cables and in four years they built a Central Telephone Exchange with a capacity of up to 60 thousand numbers - this capacity was not immediately mastered and was introduced into operation gradually. The main working instrument of that time was a multiply (connecting) switch - an object vaguely reminiscent of a piano. At the moment of the opening of hall "A" on Central Station There were 112 such “musical instruments” along the walls. And behind each of them sat a young lady with a headset - a set of headphones and microphones. Call processing was carried out manually - each incoming call was “taken” by the distribution operator and transferred to a free telephone operator. currently colleague who made the connection with the called subscriber. It was with her that the subscriber spoke, naming his addressee. The work of a “telephone lady” was difficult - 200 hours a month she had to sit on a hard chair with an iron microphone headset attached to her chest, heavy headphones and quickly get plugs into the cells of the switchboard that stood in front of her. In an hour, it was possible to make up to 170 calls (excluding “sorry - busy”), but the work was wearing out. By the way, already in 1909, the first 26 public telephones were quickly installed within the city and 17 outside it. The fee for the conversation was quite an impressive 10 kopecks, but it was “unlimited” - there was no limit on the duration of the conversation.

One of the first payphones - for 10 kopecks you could talk without interruption.

A later payphone - there are clear instructions for the user on how and what to do to establish a connection.

One of the versions of the operator connecting switch is not the very first, but a later one, from the 30s of the 20th century.

The trademark plaques are still in use today.

By the beginning of the revolutionary year of 1917, communications in the capital were so well established that V.I. Lenin, in his article “Marxism and Uprising,” clearly set the task for his subordinates to “take over the telephone and telegraph,” and in addition, “to locate our uprising headquarters near the Central telephone exchange" For convenient communication not only with factories, but also with loyal army units. That is, the slogan “The main thing is communication with the masses” was carried out precisely thanks to telephone communications. Already in 1918, the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars "On the use of Moscow city telephones" was signed - in accordance with it, all Moscow telephones were transferred to the disposal of a special commission, and police departments, military commandant's offices, institutions and enterprises of the city were first to be provided with telephones , and only then - the population. The Bolsheviks did the most to install telephones in the capital - the latest technical solutions appeared in our country, although late, but worked for a long time and reliably. Fast and reliable communication was given great importance- fulfilling the party’s instructions to organize reliable communication lines to govern the country, I.V. Stalin himself in the early 1920s, after consulting with communist engineers, organized a contract with the Ericsson company. Under this contract, starting in 1930, the company supplied the first automatic telephone exchanges to Moscow. A little earlier, with the installation of a 100-number CB-100/20 switch in the Kremlin telephone room in September 1918 and the installation of an automatic telephone exchange (ATS VTsIK) in the Kremlin in 1922, the beginning of the ATS-1 system, better known as the “turntable”, was laid ". Unlike the usual telephone network, where at that time the connection took place through an operator, subscribers connected to each other using a PBX and a rotary dialer. Subsequently, the system was intensively expanded, and was also equipped with access to other government and military communications systems (the so-called HF), which were often also popularly called “turntable”. Then, in the mid-30s, wired connection I went down to the metro - the strategic facility was fully equipped with telephones from the very beginning of construction.

Strict design of telephones - such devices could be located in the apartments of senior employees or connected to a “turntable” in their offices.

Special communications in the metro were organized using such devices.

Various formats of telephone directories - "turntable guide" in the center.

For senior officials, special telephone directories were regularly issued (thick red books, the format reminiscent of a modern credit card) - there you could quickly find the numbers of all the leaders of the country. " Beautiful rooms"were not valued at that time - even to the top management they were assigned one by one, without any exceptions (however, the head of the Cheka, Comrade Dzerzhinsky, had the number 007). The installation of the stations was carried out by foreign specialists, for whose services significant sums were allocated in convertible currency and Domestic specialists learned quickly and not only absorbed foreign experience, but also quickly created a system of so-called wiretapping - control telephone conversations in the interests of state security. Although the number of subscribers was increasing, everyone was known personally, many conversations were recorded on tape recorders, not only party comrades, army and intelligence officers were under control, but also calls through payphones to foreign embassies. Since then similar system has been modified several times and now operates under the names SORM and SORM-2.

A fragment of the first machine telephone exchange, installed in 1930, is a rarity of the communication system.

In 1942, the “young ladies” connecting subscribers to each other finally disappeared - everything began to be carried out automatically. By the way, one of these automatic ten-day-step stations is still in operation and is successfully used in the MGTS museum - despite its quite “combat” state, the main load has been removed from it, it works only as an exhibition item. The principle of operation in a simplified version comes down to the following: in one cabinet, one digit is typed with a characteristic click (a special lever is visually raised), in another - the second, in the third - the next, and so on for all seven digits. At this time, we hear a characteristic clicking sound in the tube. After the end of the conversation (when the subscriber hangs up), all raised levers are lowered. Since the mid-60s, in connection with the expansion of construction in Moscow, widespread installation of telephones began, then people often stood in line “for a telephone” for more than 15 years - longer than in line for apartments (yes, yes, there were no mobile phones yet at all).

At first, the body of payphones was made of wood, then vandal-proof ones were made of metal, and modern ones are made of durable plastic.

A typical mid-century telephone booth.

At the same time, widespread construction of a network of payphones begins - especially in new areas where there were no telephones at all in new buildings.

Domestic radiotelephones "Altai" were practically no different from Nokia, the only difference being that they were car-based, and Nokia was a wearable terminal.

Separately, it is worth mentioning telephone sets. The first models were, of course, imported, and the design was not ergonomic - the body of the device with a rigidly mounted microphone was attached to the wall. In this case, callers had to either stand on tiptoes or lean towards the microphone in order to be clearly heard. Only in 1927 the Krasnaya Zarya plant produced the first domestic telephone sets. By the way, it was domestic models that were equipped with both public payphones and the cars of responsible employees connected to the Altai radiotelephone network: approximately the same devices, in various modifications, of course, were installed in KGB and police vehicles.