In response to numerous requests, VDC is pleased to propose a multiclient study on:
The focus of the research will be in four primary areas:
Quantification and forecasts of the world SS7 market, including product and geographic segmentations.
Analysis of emerging applications and the forces driving the conversion to SS7 signaling in both wireline and wireless applications.
Competitive analysis, including vendor market shares and descriptions of SS7 product offerings.
Service provider requirements for both current and planned SS7 deployments.
The resulting report will be the most exhaustive and technically authoritative analysis of world SS7 market opportunities available anywhere.
The research will be directed toward quantifying and forecasting the worldwide SS7 market. Segmentation data will be provided in as many meaningful ways as possible, for example:
SSPs that are SS7 capable
STPs, both standalone STPs and integrated STP/SSPs
SCPs, but only those that are being queried over the TCAP layer of SS7, as well as those interfacing with IPs over the SS7 network
IPs, buy only those that interface with SCPs over the SS7 network
SNs (Service Nodes) using the SS7 network
SS7 Protocol Stacks, software, etc.
North America
Europe
Asia/Australia
Rest of World
Wireline vs. Mobile and PCS Applications
PTTs vs. Independent carriers, especially in international markets
Public vs. Private Networks
An understanding of SS7 market opportunities must be based on identifying todayΉs most important SS7 based applications and those that will emerge over the next several years.
Local number portability seems to be the most compelling reason to install SS7 signaling, but to what extent will Caller ID, 911/Enhanced 911, 800/888 and other emerging applications boost SS7 adoption? What will be the impact of SS7 on these applications?
What are the forces driving the change over to SS7? What factors are tending to retard SS7 growth and how can these be minimized?
Will the trends in Europe and Asia generally track the trends in North America, or can we expect a different set of forces to drive international markets in very different directions? How will governmental policies steer future SS7 demand?
The research will yield an in-depth analysis of the leading SS7 vendors and their product offerings.
Product characteristics
Packet based vs. LAN based vs. ATM based
Standalone or integrated switch based with trunks
Service Providers vs. OEMs vs. Large End Users
Wireless vs. Wireline
Primary Applications Served
Geographic Breakdown
Emerging Opportunities
A major portion of the research budget will be spent on surveying service providers to identify the extent of SS7 deployment today and the rate of adoption of common channel signaling. A significant portion of the interviews will cover the important technical and operational issues.
The extent to which various network elements/systems are now equipped with/using SS7.
Typical/average number of links of SS7 network elements
Average age of SS7 network elements
Characteristics of SS7 message traffic
- Volume and type of SS7 message traffic
- ISUP vs. TCAP
- X.25 vs. SS7
- Signaling network capacity utilization
- Message length and number of transactions to complete a call
International gateways and requirements for protocol conversion
What do carriers plan to install? When?
How much do they plan to spend on SS7?
When do they expect a complete conversion to SS7?
Barriers to full conversion to SS7; driving forces
Required SS7 enhancements needed to support services being planned
Trends in types of network elements equipped with SS7
Trends in number of links of SS7 network elements
Trends in international gateways; the likelihood of adopting the ³White Book² standard; the emergence of other international standards
Ability to support changing SS7 message traffic mix
The potential role of SS7 in ATM
Are they building their own infrastructure?
Are they buying SS7 equipment?
Is SS7 capability being embedded into the equipment they buy?
Are they leasing SS7 services from hub providers? Who are the most prominent hub providers?
What factors did or will influence these decisions?
Cellular operatorsΉ plans to use or not use SS7
Are they aware of what it will take to convert from R1 or R2 to SS7? From X.25 to SS7?
For further information or to participate, phone, fax or email VDC at:
Phone: 508-653-9000
Fax: 508-653-9863
Email: vdc4u@aol.com
Attnetion: Marc Regberg, Sumit Sharma or Maurice Klapfish