With the continuous growth of the telecommunications market and the gradual transition toward next-generation networks (NGN), softswitch technology has become a crucial component in bridging traditional circuit-switched networks with modern packet-switched systems. As a result, its application within telecom infrastructure has gained significant attention from industry experts and service providers alike.
The International Softswitch Association (ISC) defines softswitch as "a software entity that provides call control functionality." Meanwhile, the Institute of Telecommunications Transmission under China's Ministry of Information Industry describes it as "a core device in network evolution and next-generation packet networks. It operates independently of the transport layer and is responsible for call control, resource allocation, protocol handling, and routing. Additional key functions such as authentication and billing are also supported, enabling users to access all services previously available through traditional circuit switches, while offering programmability for third-party developers."
Softswitch technology encompasses ten essential functions:
First, media gateway access function: This allows endpoints or groups of endpoints to connect to an IP network. Acting as an interface between the packet network and external systems, it handles media stream mapping and transcoding. Examples include PSTN/ISDN IP relay gateways, ATM gateways, user access gateways, and integrated access gateways. These devices support protocols like MGCP and H.1248/MEGACO for resource control, media processing, signaling, and connection management. They also handle maintenance, security, and transmission tasks.
Second, call control and processing: This is the core function of softswitch, responsible for managing call setup, maintenance, and termination. It supports both basic and multimedia calls, including call processing, connection control, intelligent call triggers, and resource allocation. It also enables multi-party calls with complex logic, allowing participants to join, leave, be isolated, or listen in.
Third, service provisioning: Softswitch must support all services traditionally offered by PSTN/ISDN switches, including basic and supplementary services. It can integrate with existing intelligent networks to deliver advanced services and collaborate with third parties to offer value-added and intelligent features.
Fourth, interconnection and interoperability: As next-generation networks evolve, softswitch must ensure compatibility with legacy systems. This includes using signaling gateways for interworking between packet networks and the No. 7 signaling system, supporting H.323 and SIP protocols for IP telephony, and enabling communication with other softswitch technologies via BICC or SIP.
Fifth, protocol support: Softswitch acts as an open, multi-protocol platform. It communicates with various gateways, servers, and terminals using standard protocols such as H.323, SIP, H.248, MGCP, SIGTRAN, RTP, and INAP, ensuring seamless integration and maximizing the value of existing infrastructure.
Sixth, resource management: Softswitch manages system resources centrally, including allocation, release, configuration, status monitoring, usage tracking, and threshold setting.
Seventh, billing: It collects detailed call records and offers multiple billing methods, transmitting data to billing centers as required by operators.
Eighth, authentication and authorization: Softswitch supports local authentication and can connect to centralized authentication systems to verify users and devices, preventing unauthorized access.
Ninth, address resolution: It converts E.164 numbers to IP addresses and supports alias-to-IP mapping and redirection. It also stores calling and called numbers, analyzes up to 10-digit numbers, and allows dynamic number modification.
Tenth, voice processing: Softswitch controls media gateway voice compression and supports algorithms like G.729, G.723.1, and optionally G.726. It also manages echo cancellation and adjusts buffer sizes to improve voice quality.
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