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By Kevin Johns, Project Director, PacketCable Communication Protocols, CableLabs
Introduction
The PacketCable 2.0 architecture provides a modular platform upon which a variety of IP communication services may be built for a diverse set of clients. Such an architecture provides cable operators with a flexible way to deploy the network capabilities required by their specific service offerings, while maintaining interoperability across a variety of devices from multiple suppliers.
This article is the final in a four-part series that explains the PacketCable™ 2.0 architecture. The previous three articles covered the PacketCable 2.0 project design goals, strategic drivers, and architecture; presented the signaling and Quality-of-Service (QoS) components of the architecture; and discussed the configuration, management, and security capabilities of the architecture. This final article explores some of the applications being considered for PacketCable 2.0 networks: enhanced residential telephony, cellular integration, business services for small and medium businesses (SMB), and cross-platform “blended” applications.
Enhanced Residential Telephony
Residential telephony is a profitable business for the cable industry. With the introduction of PacketCable 2.0, new, enhanced residential telephony capabilities can be provided in a standard, interoperable way. Enhanced residential telephony features are a new class of telephony features which are difficult to provide using traditional PSTN equipment.
One example of an enhanced residential telephony feature is the integration of a software client (e.g., PC-based) with an address book and the existing home phone, sometimes referred to as “click-to-dial.” This feature allows a software client application within the residence to display contacts from an electronic address book and allow a user to initiate calls by selecting a contact. Once a contact is selected, a call will be set up between the user's home phone and the selected contact. Essentially, the customer is auto dialing a contact from the software client (where they can more conveniently manage their contacts), but uses the home phone for the actual conversation.
This feature can be extended to outside the residence by configuring the number of the phone the customer desires to use. The application then uses the provided phone number, rather than the home phone number, to place the call.
A broad range of enhanced features is possible because once a PacketCable 2.0 network is deployed, new applications can be plugged into the network in a seamless manner.
Cellular Integration
Another opportunity that exists for cable operators is to integrate mobility services with their current digital voice services so that subscriber features operate in a seamless fashion whether the customer is connected to the digital voice network or a wireless network. A few examples of integrated features are:
- Advanced messaging management. The capability of receiving, storing and managing messages made to or from the cellular, home, business and/or other numbers from a single device.
- The capability to automatically forward calls from the mobile phone number to the home phone when the customer is in the home. Similarly, the capability to automatically route calls dialed to the home phone to the mobile phone when customers leave their homes.
- The capability to simultaneously ring multiple phones, such as the subscriber's mobile phone and his or her home phone, and establish the connection to the phone that answers first.
- Automatic handover between the cellular network and the cable wireless network. For example, when the customer is away from home, the wireless phone would access an existing cellular network. When in the home, the phone would access the home WiFi network and can be used as a cordless handset extension to the home phone in addition to continuing to operate as a wireless phone.
- Consolidation of all telephony services and features to a single device. Services that the customer traditionally receives on multiple phones (e.g., home phone, mobile personal phone, or mobile corporate phone) can be delivered to a single device.
- The capability to set outbound call features (e.g., which outbound caller ID to use or which ring-back tones to use) and inbound call features (e.g., ring tones) based on identity, account permissions, and location.
Business Services
Small and medium sized businesses (SMB) represent a sizable market opportunity for the cable industry. In the SMB market segment, the set of services can range from a basic multi-line voice service to hosted IP-PBX or hosted IP centrex services. PacketCable 2.0 is well positioned to support SMB services because it supports a variety of client types (e.g., SIP phones, IP-PBXs) and applications.
For example, a cable operator can deploy PBX application servers and offer PBX-based services to customers that do not have a PBX. In this scenario, all inbound calls to the enterprise are routed through a PBX application server before sending the call to the enterprise customer. Once at the application server, inbound calls can receive any number of treatments such as auto attendant, or dial by directory based on the services the customer has subscribed to and configured. The same can be done for all outbound calls (routing through a PBX application server before forwarding to the terminating party). This architecture allows for a cable operator to customize the PBX application server based on the services and features an individual customer desires. This architecture also creates an environment where multiple vendors can interoperate through standards-based interfaces, negating the need for proprietary phones matched with a given PBX solution.
Blended Applications
Today, cable operators provide customers with three basic services: high-speed data and Internet access, video programming (linear and on-demand), and home telephone service. When cable operators combine these existing services across technology platforms, they can begin to offer new categories of applications which provide for competitive differentiation and greater customer satisfaction. An example of such a cross technology feature would be allowing a customer to use a TV or personal computer to access communication features traditionally available only on the telephone. The figure below illustrates this concept of blending existing services from different technology platforms to create new features and capabilities.
One of the key enablers of cross-platform services is the ability to utilize the same application server across different technology platforms. For example, a PacketCable 2.0 application server which provides notifications to a PacketCable 2.0 SIP client can also provide notifications to a set-top box. Further, by decoupling the application logic from the core network, an environment for rapid feature creation which can cross multiple technology platforms via standard open interfaces is created. Within the cross platform space, two areas are taking shape with a number of interesting application scenarios, voice calling services and push content services.
Voice Calling Services
Voice calling services provide access to digital voice features across both the digital cable set-top products, as well as Internet enabled PC applications. A well known application is the display of caller ID information on the TV screen when a cable digital voice subscriber receives an incoming phone call. Other examples within this space are:
- Voice Mail Message Waiting Indication on Television
This case involves integration across all three technology platforms by providing message waiting indication (MWI) on the television or PC upon receipt of a voice mail message. The MWI may include any number of pieces of information such as the number of new voice mail messages and/or the number of total messages as well as the caller identification for each message.
- Address Book and Directory Integration for Voice Services
By having a simple mechanism for determining who is watching TV or using the PC, customized notifications related to voice services can be created. For example, if a particular family members is watching TV, incoming calls to other family members may not be displayed. Incoming calls directed to the person watching TV can be displayed based on the configured user preferences.
Push Content Services
Push content services are messaging, event and alert services (other than voice/Caller ID) that may be delivered to subscribers via television and PC platforms. For example, a cable operator could send a message to all customers in a particular market to announce that a new service is available. The customer would be alerted to this message when they enter the programming guide application. The application may require the customer to acknowledge receipt of the message, by pressing 'OK' before proceeding. Another interesting example is a ‘click to view’ service which allows subscribers to send personal content (such as a still picture from a cell phone) to another subscribers PC to set-top box. Upon receipt of this notification, the receiving customer can ‘Click to View’ the image on the TV screen.
In each of the above service examples, the key to the services is an application server which not only provides the application logic, but also interfaces to each technology platform.
Summary
PacketCable 2.0 opens up a new universe of service offerings for the cable industry. As new services are created in a fully developed, cross-platform service framework, application features are no longer tied to a specific technology platform or specific device. PacketCable 2.0 helps cable operators accomplish such goals by placing application servers outside the core PacketCable network. This facilitates cross platform features through the use of open, standards based interfaces. As a result, cable operators will be able to rapidly deploy new and innovative services that allow them to enter new market segments and increase the value they provide to existing markets.
Specifications
The PacketCable 2.0 suite of specifications is comprised of PacketCable-modified IMS specifications, referred to as IMS ‘delta’ specifications, along with CableLabs specifications and technical reports. IMS Delta specifications document the enhancements to IMS that are required for cable deployments. CableLabs specifications and technical reports detail how IMS integrates with cable.
PacketCable 2.0 specifications can be found at: www.packetcable.com/specifications
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