Just in time for Globalcomm 2006, where numerous softswitch and media gateway solutions will be on display, Dittberner Associates recently reported softswitch/gateway market results for first quarter 2006 that suggested there were 31.5 million units shipped during the quarter, twice the number of units for the same quarter in 2005.

The strong shift upward is a sign that more carriers are beginning to create IP connection points in their networks, a further reflection of the ongoing growth in the voice-over-IP (VoIP) market and a gradual move to IP multimedia subsytem (IMS)-based networks, said Peter Vescuso, vice president of marketing for Cantata Technology.

“One of the reasons to move to IMS is to separate the transport layer from the services layer, and these gateways get you started. IMS spurs adoption of these products,” he said.

Cantata last week announced that independent transaction processor Transaction Network Services has deployed Cantata's Integrated Media and Signaling Gateway 1010 (IMG 1010) in its global VoIP peering network. Cantata will be showing its IMG 1010 at Globalcomm in the IMS Forum's booth, Vescuso said.

Other softswitch/media gateway announcements at the show will include news from AudioCodes, which will highlight its IMS-ready VoIP Mediant media gateways and other products that enable new IMS-based voice service over wireline, cellular, broadband wireless (Wi-Fi and WiMAX), cable and other access networks. AudioCodes is working with VCom, CableMatrix and Emergent Network Solutions to demonstrate voice-over-WiMAX services in its booth at Globalcomm.

SOFTSWITCH STATS