PSTN Transition to IP

PSTN Transition to IP Under 251/252 (a.k.a. Definitional Issues of SIP Interconnection) COMPTEL PLUS SPRING 2013 March 13, 2013

2 Background I am not a lawyer and, therefore, am not offering any legal opinions today These are my opinions and not necessarily the opinions of COMPTEL I have built 8 certificated service providers (currently helping to build a 9 th ), with 4 built on IP Platforms

3 Transitioning the PSTN from TDM to IP Why transition to an IP Framework? More efficient both economically and operationally More flexible and more conducive to innovation than TDM

4 Transitioning the PSTN from TDM to IP What defines the PSTN and separates it from other communication platforms, in the mind of John Q. Public? It works (Reliability) It provides me with immediate access to emergency response authorities (Public Safety) I can call anyone, with uniform dialing plan (Ubiquity) I can hear the people I call (Quality of Experience) I have somewhere to turn if things go wrong (Consumer Protection) In other words... NOT technology

5 The Goal: Transition the PSTN to a new technological framework based on IP VoIP is a technological application with many use cases. Not all use cases for VoIP involve the PSTN There is confusion, caused by co-mingling these use cases in discussions, that has cause un-needed delay in the PSTN Transition.

6 What technically defines the PSTN and separates it from other communication platforms, when all use IP? The PSTN is still required to... provide performance guarantees support ubiquitous inter-carrier interconnection protect Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) serve as a platform to provide reliable uniformity of user operation, based on practice rules In other words... The PSTN is subject to requirements that would disqualify the Internet, in its current state, as an acceptable network foundation. Therefore, the managed network that underpins the PSTN should not be confuse with the Internet regardless of what technology it deploys.

7 Both AT&T and Verizon make this point abundantly clear to customers: AT&T: AT&T U-verse Voice service is provided over AT&T's world-class managed network and not the public Internet. Using one network to provide U-verse services enables AT&T to provide high quality service. Voice over IP ("VoIP") providers who utilize the public Internet are less able to control the traffic and ensure voice quality. With AT&T U-verse Voice, although you can use your high speed Internet service to manage your AT&T U-verse Voice features, the voice packets do not traverse the public Internet. http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/home-alarm.jsp (emphasis added). Verizon: To understand the features and quality of FiOS Digital Voice, you first need to know that the service is not the same as the services you get with a little Internet adapter for your modem and phone, and it does not ever touch the public Internet. http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2010/fios-digital-voiceheres.html (emphasis added)

8 What is an Over The Top (OTT) voice service? SIMPLE ANSWER: One that is not a service of the PSTN (and therefore not held to the PSTN s full performance requirements)

9 PSTN: No Internet Access Required (unlike OTT)

Facilities-based VoIP Over Managed (Closed) Network Versus OTT 10

11 PSTN: Important Distinctions from OTT More Secure OTT, addressing structure is public Facilities-based Carrier addressing structure is private Quality of Service OTT, the Internet is a best efforts network no assured performance management possible across carriers Facilities-based Carrier Networks are performance-managed Customer Interface is not the Internet. See diagrams

12 OTT Voice Service with Customer Provided VoIP Equipment Customer Premises Customer Internet Interface (Ethernet/IP) Broadband Provider Proprietary Transport Modem Ethernet/IP Router Analog Telephone Adapter Analog Voice Internet To points unknown

13 PSTN with Broadband Provider VoIP Equipment Customer Premises Broadband Provider Managed Network NOT the Internet Proprietary Transport Broadband Provider Equipment Functionality Modem Router Analog Telephone Adapter Customer Interface (Analog) Analog Voice Media Gateway Customer Premises Customer Interface (Analog) Legacy TDM Network Class 5 Switch Analog Voice Loop

PSTN Transition to IP 14

VoIP Interconnection John Barnhill Genband Office of the CTO john.barnhill@genband.com GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

Observations VoIP/ SIP Interconnect happening all over the world at a rapid rate Implementation outpacing regulation VoIP Interconnect, VoIP Peering, IPX, etc Multiple Standards Bodies FCC, ITU-T, CableLabs, 3GPP, ATIS-PTSC, I3, GSMA, CRTC Don t make this harder than it has to be! Most deployments today are simple deployments Voice Only Addresses are e.164 numbers, no ENUM requirements Interconnection is settlement-free Mostly bilateral interconnection agreements QoS is by SLA Agreed CODECS vs Transcoding 16 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

What s in a Name? IP to IP Interconnection SIP Interconnection VoIP Interconnection What is included? i3 Forum includes Voice, MMS, SMS and Video calling GSMA (IPx) includes Voice, MMS, SMS and Video Calling FCC Dealing with the Question but Technological Advisory Council used i3 Forum definition Successful Near Term Deployments are Voice Only Ultimately will include all Real Time Communications 17 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

What does VoIP(SIP) Interconnection Include? Carrier A Carrier B Carrier C or other federation Interconnection Federation Carrier A Carrier B Managed Interconnection (RTC only) or Publicoriented Traffic (mixed RTC and Internet) Carrier to Carrier (Direct) Carrier to Carrier (Indirect) Carrier Enterprise Network Cloud IXC Mobile Carrier SIP Fixed Interconnect and Wholesale SIP Enterprise IntraCarrier Entertainment Carrier to Enterprise 18 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

Following the IP-to-IP Interconnection Regulatory Chain National Broadband Plan Page 49 Facilitate the move to all IP Networks, IP-to-IP interconnection is an important part of achieving that goal. Recommendation 4.10 the FCC should clarify interconnection rights and obligations and encourage the shift to IP-to-IP interconnection. USF/ICC Transformation NPRM, Paragraph 678 Seeks comment on steps we can take to promote IP-to-IP interconnection. USF/ICC Transformation Report and order and FNPRM, Paragraph 42 the duty to negotiate in good faith has been a longstanding element of interconnection requirements under the Communications Act and does not depend upon the network technology underlying the interconnection, whether TDM, IP, or otherwise. FCC Technological Advisory Council September 2012 VoIP Interconnection Recommendation: The FCC has established a significant record on this issue in response to the further notice. The FCC should answer the critical question of whether section 251 (and 252) requirements apply to VoIP Interconnection. 19 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary 19

PSTN vs. VoIP Interconnection PSTN TDM Interconnection VoIP Interconnection Traffic exchanged is voice IP can be voice, data, video, SMS, MMS Rules in Place Clarification needed for existing voice traffic rules POI Rules in Place Point of Interconnect arbitrary Interoperability standards Interoperability concerns Compensation Defined Contractual arrangements Dedicated direct connection Could be direct or indirect interconnection QoS is inherent in network QoS guarantees subject to various QoS strategies and Access dependent 20 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary Source: Harold Teets, John McHugh

Points of Interconnection 1. LATA s and Rate Centers likely to be eliminated when Bill and Keep is fully implemented 2. Likely to implement 10 digit dialing nationally 3. Most expect radically fewer points of interconnection 21 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

Other Countries are moving faster than the USA Canada - CRTC 2012-24 (1/19/2012) Adopts a set of principles to guide IP interconnection. IP interconnection mandatory under certain triggers: IP operator provides voice interconnection to affiliate (or anyone else), or Is serving IP-enabled customers. Conversion costs (media gateways) are already sunk by IP-based carriers and it would be "inefficient to force the ILECs to duplicate. 6 Month Shot Clock to reach agreement after receiving a request. 22 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

Observations VoIP/ SIP Interconnect happening all over the world at a rapid rate Implementation outpacing regulation VoIP Interconnect, VoIP Peering, IPX, etc - Multiple Standards Bodies FCC, ITU-T, CableLabs, 3GPP, ATIS-PTSC, I3, GSMA, CRTC Parallel FCC initiatives FCC Rulemaking on IP-to-IP Interconnect, (FCC 11-161A1 USF/ICC Transformation Report and Order, FNPRM, Section P, Paragraph 1335 1398) Technical Advisory Committee Working Groups to make recommendations VoIP Interconnect will eliminate need for post-divestiture structures such as LATAs, Rate Centers, Routing rules, etc. Other market forces now come into play Modernization (aging equipment, unions, etc.) New interconnect biz opportunities: Video, Messaging, UC in general Mobile Voice over LTE support fundamental, but when Potential implications to intercarrier compensation 23 GENBAND Confidential and Proprietary

Definitional Issues Relating to SIP Interconnection: Interconnection Agreement Perspective Kyle V. Bertrand Broadvox VP of Network Planning and Regulatory

Interconnection Agreement Switch Trunk Signaling Protocol Options Present Multi-Frequency Signaling Typically used for Directory Assistance/Operator Services or E911 Selective Routers SS7 Signaling Future SIP Signaling Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 25

Present day ICA Signaling Definitions From AT&T 22-State Generic ICA: SS7 Definitions Common Channel Signaling (CCS) means an out-of-band, packet-switched, signaling network used to transport supervision signals, control signals, and data messages. It is a special network, fully separate from the transmission path of the public switched network. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the CCS protocol used by the Parties shall be SS7. Signaling System 7 (SS7) means a signaling protocol used by the CCS Network. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 26

Current ICA Trunk Signaling Protocols From AT&T 22-State Generic ICA Attachment 02 - ISP Bound - FCC ICC - Network Interconnection/AT&T-22STATE 4.1.3 Signaling Protocol: 4.1.3.1 SS7 Signaling is AT&T-22STATE s preferred method for signaling. Where MF signaling is currently used, the Parties agree to use their best efforts to convert to SS7. If SS7 services are provided by AT&T-22STATE, they will be provided in accordance with the provisions of the applicable access tariffs. 4.1.3.2 Where MF signaling is currently used, the Parties agree to interconnect their networks using MF or dual tone MF (DTMF) signaling, subject to availability at the End Office Switch or Tandem Switch at which Interconnection occurs. The Parties acknowledge that the use of MF signaling may not be optimal. AT&T-22STATE will not be responsible for correcting any undesirable characteristics, service problems or performance problems that are associated with MF/SS7 inter-working or the signaling protocol required for Interconnection with CLEC employing MF signaling. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 27

CLEC AND ILEC PHYSICAL INTERCONNECTION ARCHITECTURE FOR SS7 AND MF TRUNKING The TDM interconnection requirements do not effectively utilize resources. e.g. (transport facilities and dedicated switch ports). Legacy Switch to Switch Interconnection increases Network COGs which impacts our consumers. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 28

Proposed ICA Trunk Signaling SIP-I Definitions Definitions Session Initiation Protocol with encapsulated ISUP (SIP-I) is a protocol used to establish, modify, terminate communications sessions based on ISUP using SIP and IP networks. The protocol provides transparency in regards to the PSTN. SIP-I encapsulates the entire PSTN signaling message within the body of the SIP message. The POI and Technical Interfaces language will have to be modified to support SIP trunks. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 29

CLEC AND ILEC PHYSICAL INTERCONNECTION ARCHITECTURE FOR SIP-I TRUNKING SIP Interconnection increases the efficiency between the ILEC and CLEC. Fiber Interconnect will replace electrical interfaces. SIP Interconnection provides the path of HD audio. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 30

TRUNK TYPE TO SIGNALING PROTOCOL Trunk Type MF SS7 SIP-I OS/DA X * E911 SR X X * CHOKE X * BLV/EI X * INWARD OS X * LOCAL X X X MEET POINT X X X * Legacy protocols will still be utilized for certain trunk types. Copyright 2001-2012 BROADVOX LLC. 31