The demand for voice-over-packet technologies has created significant opportunities in world-wide markets for equipment vendors and telecommunications carriers. The newer packet-switching equipment enables more efficient use of available bandwidth and is less costly to purchase, install, and maintain.

As a result, carriers are deploying next- generation packet-switching equipment within their networks. Communication between next-generation networks is ideal; however, carriers wishing to establish business relationships with service providers operating traditional networks need equipment that can interface between the packet and legacy networks.

There are numerous signaling protocols in use throughout the world for interconnecting telephony switches. These protocols include in-band CAS signaling such as DTMF, R1, dozens of variations of R2, and C5; and out-of-band signaling such as PRI ISDN, ANSI SS7, ITU-T C7, and SS7 country variants. The type of switching equipment available, as well as local regulatory rules usually determine which signaling protocols are required to connect to public switches within a specific country. Carriers and vendors seeking to expand into global markets must provide gateway equipment that accommodates both the local telephone networks and the native protocols for the countries they service.

The Encore Networks Signaling Gateway is an inexpensive solution to providing the missing link between generation packet networks and legacy networks. The Signaling Gateway translates signaling protocols into the various country-specific protocol variants required for connectivity within global telephone networks. With the ability to convert multiple types of protocols in a single chassis, the Encore Networks solution opens new market potential for both carriers and service vendors, allowing them to offer products and services in countries where signaling incompatibilities exist. A single Point of Presence (POP) can service several countries having different protocol variants, quickly and easily.

The Encore Networks Signaling Gateway is fast becoming the obvious solution as more telecommunications companies seek to expand next-generation products and services into the broader world market. Cost and availability are key factors. The SignalPath™ 230 and 201 products are already deployed in more than 85 countries worldwide, allowing connectivity between disparate PSTN networks, or between PSTN networks and newer packet-based networks. We have the solution you need right now to rapidly and successfully bring today's products into new global markets.

The following are some of the applications for the Signaling Gateway: