THE SITUATION
Cellular carriers are rapidly introducing
new STAR (*) services on their networks,
using call center and IVR (Interactive
Voice Response) information access solutions.
Common call center and IVR products have
ISDN interfaces and do not support direct
connection to the cellular, SS7 based network.
This leaves carriers with no choice but
to use expensive central offi ce (CO) switches
to convert and connect the STAR services
to the SS7 network. STAR services can be
roadside assistance programs, regional
weather reports, or cellular service help
centers, such as the common *611 service.
STAR services provide information to cellular
subscribers as part of their base subscription,
or as pay as you go services.
THE CHALLENGE
Carriers and content providers
need a cost effective way to connect
their SS7-based cellular networks to
call centers and IVR systems based largely
on ISDN network interfaces. They want
to untie the central offi ce switches
from the role of protocol conversion
and allow the ports to be deployed for
higher-revenue generating customer services.
THE SOLUTION
Encore Networks’ SignalPath™
201 and 230 platforms provide a scalable
solution to convert ISDN connections
from call center and IVR platforms to
SS7 links into the cellular network.
This prevents the unnecessary tie-up
of public network trunks on CO switches
for signaling conversion; directly connecting
the STAR services to the cellular network.
Encore provides a way to bridge the
gap between the ISDN and SS7 based networks,
allowing STAR calls on the SS7 network
to be routed directly into common ISDN
based call centers.
The SP201 converts up to four trunks
of ISDN to four trunks of SS7 for handling
call volumes of up to 92 simultaneous
non-blocking sessions. The SP230 scales
from four to 44 trunks, handling call
volumes of up to 1,012 simultaneous non-blocking
voice sessions. These devices provide
a huge operational savings over a central
office-based solution.
Encore Networks also supports global
signaling variants for both North American
and international variants of ISDN and
SS7, including R2, C7, R1, ANSI NI 2,
and ETSI (Euro) ISDN
Solution Snapshot: Encore SP230 and
Avaya Definity Call Center *611
- Deployed
at major North American cellular carriers
- Connects ISDN-based Avaya Defi nity
Call Centers to the SS7 Network
- Enables
*611 services on the cellular networks
- Customer service applications:
- Tow trucks
- Taxi service
- Airport
information
- Weather forecasts
- Stock information
NETWORK CONFIGURATION
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