IP-based Personal Access System (iPAS) Core Network

UTStarcom’s iPAS core network provides call control, interconnection to the PSTN, mobility functions, data connectivity and overall network operations and back end support. The core network of the iPAS solution is differentiated from the PAS™ solution in that the iPAS network interconnects with the existing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by the Signaling System 7 (SS7) interface, making it an ideal solution for areas where either extra switching capacity or the V5.2 Next Generation Integrated Digital Loop Carrier (NG-IDLC) interface is not available. Using the IP trunking capability, iPAS can operate as an independent network over a unified IP-based infrastructure.

Technical

The iPAS wireless access network offers several advantages:

Common platform for both wireline and wireless to offer converged services
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), citywide mobility, text messaging, email, location-based services, mobile Internet access at speeds up to 64Kb/s, and instant information such as news, stock quotes, and so forth.

Flexible deployments
Integrate iPAS into the existing PSTN or deploy it as an independent network over a unified IP-based core network with advanced softswitch architecture. As a result, service providers can cost-effectively deploy services to meet subscriber demands.

High-performance softswitch platform
Scale an iPAS network to support from 10,000 to more than five million subscribers with a powerful softswitch server cluster and multi protocol gateways. Migrate seamlessly to Third-Generation Cell-Phone Technology (3G) services over a unified IP-based core network using its softswitch architecture.

Centralized Web-based operations support system (OSS)
Simplify network operations by concentrating all the supporting functions, such as subscriber management, service provisioning, network management, billing processing, and customer care, into a centralized network operation center. Using the Web-based interface, maintenance personnel or subscribers can access the service remotely via the Internet.

Wide selection of subscriber devices
Choice of PHS handset or personal station (PS) for citywide mobility, a fixed subscriber unit (FSU) for fixed wireless access, a Personal Handyphone System Internet Access Forum Standard (PIAFS) data suite device for high-speed Internet access, or any combination of these.

Network Elements

Besides utilizing the call control of UTStarcom’s mSwitch® NGN system, the iPAS core network includes the following network element:

iPAS Gateway