Similarly, the standardized interfaces, or ways of communicating, mean service providers can choose among different hardware suppliers. And when voice traffic is traveling as IP packets, it becomes much easier to integrate with, and add control through, Web-based applications. But there are serious issues to resolve before softswitches can begin to replace class 5 switches. But softswitch technology has more in common with today's Internet infrastructure, which doesn't approach that kind of performance. It's definitely a bridge the industry has to cross.
Security is another worry.
Such environments are far less secure than traditional switches, he observes, so ensuring safety from hackers will require serious attention. And while softswitches may have an enormous advantage in flexibility, their price advantage is less clear. Notter says he has heard prices for softswitch setups quoted at 10 percent to 40 percent the cost of conventional switches. But RHK's Kuzma has his doubts. Another challenge will be integrating softswitches with the traditional switches and billing systems used by the phone companies, says Kuzma.