VoIP, voice over IP based networks, it is a generic term that covers deployments ranging in complexity from hobbyists using the internet to get free phone calls on a peer to peer basis, to full scale PSTN replacement networks. In carrier networks VoIP has been mainly deployed in enterprise networks or as a trunking technology to reduce transport costs in voice backbone networks. However with many network operators facing eventual equipment obsolescence in their existing narrowband PSTN networks and with the drive to increase revenue by offering new and innovative multimedia services, we expects that end-to-end business voip solutions will be required to replace the PSTN in the medium term. In order to deploy a VoIP network that is capable of providing a PSTN scale solution the following issues must be addressed.

•What services need to be offered, for example full PSTN equivalence, a more restricted “cheap second line” service, or a simple user-to-user voice service. This white paper will focus on a service set that provides full PSTN equivalence – what we are calling “Telephony over IP”.

•The types of end user terminals supported – POTS phones, PC clients, IP Phones or PBXs.

•Quality of Service requirement for voice to ensure that the agreed quality is provided.

•The security risks must be clearly identified and appropriate techniques employed to ensure that the call agents, in particular, are protected from attack

•How much bandwidth is available in the last mile network, which will affect the choice of voice codec, packetization period, and where to use compression to best meet the service goals.

•The signaling protocol used must support the service set required.

•Lawful interception requirements in many countries could prevent a public carrier from allowing direct connection between IP phones. All calls may need to be routed via an access gateway that hides any intercepts in place.

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