May 18, 2010

Sonus Moves to Software-based All-IP Platform, Introduces SBC

By Paula Bernier
Executive Editor, TMC

Sonus Networks Inc. has unveiled a new all-IP platform through which it aims to deliver a variety of new products and functionality over time via software. The first product based on the new ConnexIP platform is a session border controller called the NBS-5200, which Sonus claims is the most dense and scalable SBC in its class.

The NBS-5200 does transcoding and media interworking, and offers advanced routing, policy engine and multi-access security gateway functionality.  It also has native support for IPv6 and IPSec encryption.

This new product is an addition to the Sonus portfolio, which also includes the company's popular NBS-9000, a TDM-to-IP gateway.

Ken Workun (News - Alert), director of solutions marketing at Sonus, says the SBC market is growing much faster than anticipated, a fact that became clear about 18 months ago. The transition to IP happened first in core networks, then expanded to the edge between peering partners. And the numbers of codecs and interconnect requirements within and among wireless and wireline carriers (including telcos and cablecos) only continues to grow, with the introduction of LTE offering added momentum to the move toward IP.

Workun explains that the ConnexIP platform on which NBS-5200 is based sits between IP networks, and manages the security and call control between those at IP endpoints. The solution  leverages the Sonus softswitch technology, which is embedded in the platform. It also offers storage for billing records, runs Linux and can be expanded in the future to support other form factors, like ACTA, says Workun, adding that Sonus expects the NBS-5200 will open up some significant new markets to the company in the channel and enterprise space.

"One size doesn't fit all with these solutions, so by broadening its platform options, Sonus will be in a position to better capture a wider base of customers (and even business within existing
customers)," Diane Myers, directing analyst with Infonetics Research (News - Alert), tells TMCnet. "While the first product launched on the new platform, the NBS, makes sense in terms of the how the market is migrating from the need for TDM-IP gateways (Sonus' bread and butter) to IP-IP connectivity, the real measure of success will be in how Sonus utilizes the platform to deliver additional network element capabilities."

Elisabeth Rainge, director of NGN operations at IDC says that as communications providers focus more on the customer experience, their  focus is shifting from transport and coverage toward the session layer. As a result, she adds, the competition in media gateways has increased.

Rainge says there are a variety of recent vendor moves reflecting that shift. GENBAND is moving seriously to dominate the market with the Nortel (News - Alert) assets on board. Dialogic is merging with Veraz. Metaswitch is shaking up its corporate strategy. BroadSoft is finally serious about going public. And Tekelec is buying Camiant and Blueslice (News - Alert).

"As an SBC play, Sonus is a viable competitor to Acme Packet [and] other SBC suppliers," Rainge adds. "I think the bigger question is where the SBC market is headed. For Sonus, the SBC is a logical progression from where they've been, but for Acme Packet there's a real question about what their long-term strategy might be. They've had the market largely to themselves with the now-GENBAND (News - Alert) asset as an alternative. Having a hardware platform strategy on top of which software can sit is one strategy that is in step with where we see service architectures going for CSPs."

 

Edited by Alice Straight