All-IP Migration: How Packets Killed the Circuit-Switched Star
The transition from circuit-switched to packet-switched services is a long-term trend, which has already deeply impacted electronic communications markets. Further fuelled by the roll-out of next generation fixed and mobile access networks it seems clear that PSTN services will be switched virtually entirely over by 2025. There is a mix of reasons why operators adopt all-IP. Cost savings are clearly an important part of the equation, especially in an industry that is struggling with decreasing or flat revenues. The challenges that operators need to overcome in the process are diverse. The migration as such is a hugely complex operation that will require significant resources in terms of investment and manpower. This report examines the above-mentioned drivers and challenges, explores related regulatory matters and presents a detailed state-of-play of a number of major operators' all-IP initiatives.
The circuit-switched public telephone network has served its users well for more than a century. The technology has proven reliable and provided a good quality of service to billions of users over the years. However, as electronic communications have become ever more data-centric, circuit-switched communications have become less relevant over time, as packet-switched communications have proven to deliver services more efficiently and in larger variety. The development of additional features for circuit-switched communications via the introduction of ISDN in the 1990s has not fundamentally changed this trend. In the last mile in the ground and still make all-IP a strategic priority?
The circuit-switched public telephone network has served its users well for more than a century. The technology has proven reliable and provided a good quality of service to billions of users over the years. However, as electronic communications have become ever more data-centric, circuit-switched communications have become less relevant over time, as packet-switched communications have proven to deliver services more efficiently and in larger variety. The development of additional features for circuit-switched communications via the introduction of ISDN in the 1990s has not fundamentally changed this trend. In the last mile in the ground and still make all-IP a strategic priority?
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1. A transition well on its way
1.2. Drivers and challenges
1.2.1. Drivers
1.2.2. Challenges
1.3. Regulation
1.4. Operators’ all-IP projects
2. METHODOLOGY & DEFINITIONS
3. INTRODUCTION
4. DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES
4.1. Drivers
4.1.1. Cost savings
4.1.2. Lacking staff and equipment support
4.1.3. Service provision
4.1.4. New services
4.2. Challenges
4.2.1. Value destruction in traditional services
4.2.2. Migration cost
4.2.3. Non-telephony services
4.2.4. Customer information
5. REGULATORY REPERCUSSIONS
5.1. Consumer aspects
5.2. Competition aspects
6. OPERATORS’ ALL-IP PROJECTS
6.1.1. Deutsche Telekom
6.1.2. Swisscom
6.1.3. Orange
6.1.4. AT&T
6.1.5. Telefónica
6.1.6. BT
1.1. A transition well on its way
1.2. Drivers and challenges
1.2.1. Drivers
1.2.2. Challenges
1.3. Regulation
1.4. Operators’ all-IP projects
2. METHODOLOGY & DEFINITIONS
3. INTRODUCTION
4. DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES
4.1. Drivers
4.1.1. Cost savings
4.1.2. Lacking staff and equipment support
4.1.3. Service provision
4.1.4. New services
4.2. Challenges
4.2.1. Value destruction in traditional services
4.2.2. Migration cost
4.2.3. Non-telephony services
4.2.4. Customer information
5. REGULATORY REPERCUSSIONS
5.1. Consumer aspects
5.2. Competition aspects
6. OPERATORS’ ALL-IP PROJECTS
6.1.1. Deutsche Telekom
6.1.2. Swisscom
6.1.3. Orange
6.1.4. AT&T
6.1.5. Telefónica
6.1.6. BT
TABLES & FIGURES
Table 1: Progress towards all-IP by European operators
Table 2: Commercial VoLTE launches 2015-16
Table 3: Evolution of Free’s unlimited fixed VoIP calling service
Figure 1: Fixed telephony lines by technology – EU5
Figure 2: Fixed telephony lines by technology – France
Figure 3: Reasons for IP-migration
Figure 4: Swisscom IP migration rationale
Figure 5: Annual maintenance cost
Figure 6: Legacy and all-IP service provisioning
Figure 7: GSM-based elevator alarm with battery backup
Figure 8: Deutsche Telekom MSAN POTS and wireless elevator alarms
Figure 9: Letter sent to PSTN users in Palaiseau trial area
Figure 10: Screenshot Deutsche Telekom video on IP migration
Figure 11: AT&T events in all-IP trial area
Figure 12: Did users feel sufficiently informed?
Figure 13: AT&T battery backup
Figure 14: Orange POI for fixed call termination
Figure 15: Deutsche Telekom advantages and challenges
Figure 16: Deutsche Telekom 'Pan-Net' production model
Figure 17: Swisscom progress and completion deadline comparison
Figure 18: Swisscom migration progress
Figure 19: Palaiseau municipal magazine informing about fibre
Figure 20: Transition to fibre networks and copper switch-off
Figure 21: Orange switch-over milestones
Figure 22: Orange collaborating with stakeholders on non-voice substitutes
Figure 23: AT&T stand at local event in Carbon Hill
Figure 24: AT&T reporting on all-IP trial
Figure 25: TEF network transformation
Figure 26: BT’s views on all-IP voice
Figure 27: BT's roadmap to all-IP
Table 1: Progress towards all-IP by European operators
Table 2: Commercial VoLTE launches 2015-16
Table 3: Evolution of Free’s unlimited fixed VoIP calling service
Figure 1: Fixed telephony lines by technology – EU5
Figure 2: Fixed telephony lines by technology – France
Figure 3: Reasons for IP-migration
Figure 4: Swisscom IP migration rationale
Figure 5: Annual maintenance cost
Figure 6: Legacy and all-IP service provisioning
Figure 7: GSM-based elevator alarm with battery backup
Figure 8: Deutsche Telekom MSAN POTS and wireless elevator alarms
Figure 9: Letter sent to PSTN users in Palaiseau trial area
Figure 10: Screenshot Deutsche Telekom video on IP migration
Figure 11: AT&T events in all-IP trial area
Figure 12: Did users feel sufficiently informed?
Figure 13: AT&T battery backup
Figure 14: Orange POI for fixed call termination
Figure 15: Deutsche Telekom advantages and challenges
Figure 16: Deutsche Telekom 'Pan-Net' production model
Figure 17: Swisscom progress and completion deadline comparison
Figure 18: Swisscom migration progress
Figure 19: Palaiseau municipal magazine informing about fibre
Figure 20: Transition to fibre networks and copper switch-off
Figure 21: Orange switch-over milestones
Figure 22: Orange collaborating with stakeholders on non-voice substitutes
Figure 23: AT&T stand at local event in Carbon Hill
Figure 24: AT&T reporting on all-IP trial
Figure 25: TEF network transformation
Figure 26: BT’s views on all-IP voice
Figure 27: BT's roadmap to all-IP
