Voice services in next-generation networks: The evolution of the intelligent network and its role in generating new revenue opportunities

At least half of all interexchange carrier (IXC) voice calls can be classified as 800/Freephone or virtual private network (VPN) calls, generating on the order of 20 billion in revenue for IXC operators in the United States. As next-generation network operators deploy their packet data backbones, these advanced voice services will become essential to network operators seeking to attract key business customers. Furthermore, as incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) grow their packet data backbone business, they will gain new revenue-generating opportunities by interworking their existing voice services with new data networks. Intelligent network (IN)-based service platforms will play a key role in addressing such next-generation network needs. For instance, IN-based services are evolving to interwork with the Internet. This evolution will provide existing network-based high-value voice services with an easier to use Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) for both subscriber call control and service provisioning. Easier-to-use services like these will produce more revenue, and IN-based products will expand the revenue-generating potential of voice services for next-generation network providers.