Details

The changing infrastructure of telecommunications makes IP Mediation a critical network capability. Service provider segments once included either voice or data. But the telecommunications landscape has changed. Service segments now cover packet-based services such as e-mail, VPN, VoIP, streaming video, video conferencing, large file transfer, Web conferencing, and a host of other services besides voice. As enhanced services are introduced, service providers will need usage-based systems for billing and network monitoring and control. Enterprise customers will use usage systems for internal control and monitoring as well. Expanding corporate networks demand efficiency. Sophisticated networks demand IP mediation.

These are central issues for service providers, of course, but also for equipment vendors. The few available studies concentrate on mediation vendors ignoring equipment vendors. This study describes technical and marketing issues for equipment vendors benefiting from IP mediation deployments as well as the role mediation vendors will play in converging networks.

Emphasis in the report will be on IP mediation as a cost control measure in the midst of infrastructure evolution. There will be a global approach contrasting market conditions in North America with those in Europe and the Pacific Rim. Specific application of the uses of IP mediation that will be explored in several parts of the report are:

Usage-based billing

Cost reduction using usage-based records

Cost analysis

Marketing analysis

Multiple-partner billing

Advanced enhancement services

In addition, forecasts will include revenues reflecting these functions in IP mediation. The report will focus on both IP mediation as a market as well as the uses of IP mediation in service provider networks.