Ask the Expert Q&A: Concerned about migrating to IPX?

We previously asked if you had an opinion or concerns with the migration toward an IPX framework.

Our expert, Christian Michaud, Senior Vice President, Product & Business Strategy at Tata Communications, responds to some of these questions. See below.

What is IPX and how is it helping to ease the transition to an all-IP world?

IPX provides for the delivery of current data roaming, signaling and voice services via a single connection.  The evolution toward a multiservice IP infrastructure not only allows for savings and efficiencies but more importantly, lays the foundation for service providers’ new product and services roadmaps.  IPX is also characterized by end-to-end QoS, security and one-to-many connectivity, enabling a controlled migration to IP and the compounding of its benefits.

As a framework, how is IPX inherently efficient from a cost and services perspective?

IPX’s multiservice characteristics provide operational efficiencies, in addition to those afforded by running an all IP network.

The IPX framework also allows for more efficient connectivity and commercial relationships: one interconnection opens up to multilateral interconnections. From a commercial agreement perspective, IPX provisions for flexible models which can help service providers optimize the management of such agreements.

What recent industry developments are you seeing regarding IPX ?

Beyond the efficiencies and improvement in service IPX brings, it is also designed with future service enablement in mind. What is particularly interesting now is the portfolio of new services and features which are being fast-tracked, such as multimedia applications (i.e., online gaming, video streaming and sharing) and HD voice. From a roadmap perspective, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and Rich Communication Suite (RCSE) are now close and tangible enough that the industry needs to plan accordingly. As a global leading solutions provider, we see these developments as reflective of the accelerated pace in which the industry is moving, and as an opportunity to enable our customers to be future-ready and profit in a rapidly evolving landscape.

As a mobile network operator, why is an IPX solution important?

With mobile data undergoing consistent, rapid growth, MNOs need a solution that helps them cost-effectively deliver increasingly sophisticated services to meet evolving demands and drive customer loyalty. Our IPX+ framework enables efficiency with optimal network utilization and simplified interconnect arrangements and service delivery models. Our expertise and infrastructure enables MNOs to seamlessly deliver existing services in an IP environment, so they can better focus on development of their service roadmap and future revenue streams.

What is the Tata Communications IPX offering?

Our IPX framework is called IPX+ and provides a converged interconnect platform, enabling end-to-end management across mobile networks for the delivery of multiple services over IP. MNOs have consolidated access to voice, signaling, video and Telepresence, as well as mobile data roaming and transport options including Global VPN, IP transit and the newly available IPX Connect, all with seamless interworking and industry-leading features. Our IPX+ roadmap also includes Voice over LTE (VoLTE), LTE roaming and IMS application enablement solutions.

About the author:

Christian Michaud
Senior Vice President, Product & Business Strategy
Christian Michaud is the Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development in the Global Voice Solutions Business Unit at Tata Communications. Mr. Michaud is responsible for developing the Business Unit overall strategy as well as leading the product management and business development. Mr. Michaud has over twenty years of experience in international telecommunications, including twelve years with Teleglobe, which was acquired by VSNL in February 2006. Mr. Michaud holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in economics from the Université de Montréal