One of the changes expected by vendors of OSS / BSS with LTE is the migration from the SS7 signaling protocol to Diameter, to improve routing of information due to the increased demand for bandwidth. Federico Navarro, VP Sales of Tekelec, confided that they expect to close 2012 with five Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) clients in the region.
Convergence Latina (CL): How much longer will we talk about SS7 and what will be the breaking point toward the Diameter factor?
Federico Navarro (FN): The traditional SS7 signaling protocol will be kept for 15 years. New IP networks will depend on the Diameter protocol for intelligence information of calls, messages and data transfers.
The main difference between SS7 and Diameter is given on how to connect network elements: with SS7, all elements have the ability to connect with each other. With Diameter, SMS, prepaid items and online charging, among others communicate with the Diameter Signaling Router (DSR), which then connects with other network elements, such as the PCRF (Policy Control Enforcement Point, linked to control or traffic management). Diameter facilitates the handling of traffic spikes and demand for bandwidth from different devices.
CL: Tell me about the result of DSR sales?
FN: Verizon and MetroPCS in the U.S. have already hired the solution. In Latin America we expect to close four or five contracts in 2012. We already have a client in Mexico and one in Argentina. To promote Diameter, we still need the advance of LTE throughout the region. Large operators began plans to implement the protocol, but there are no concrete decisions.
CL: Tell me about the annual growth rate of Policy Control throughout the region?
FN: It surpasses 20% annually. The big trigger for Policy Control solutions and Diameter will be the entry of LTE network operations, which is why we will focus on these customers over the next twelve months. The technology requires a quality network and reliable network elements.
We see this pressure particularly in Brazil, after the regulator in July suspended the sale of lines. What happens there will also generate favorable changes in other markets. The central concern is to improve quality and avoid penalties and negative publicity.