LOUISVILE, Colo. – Cable Television Laboratories has issued a request for information (RFI) for technologies to enable cable operators to share voice over IP (VOIP) traffic directly over their IP networks. This ability is called VOIP peering.
VOIP peering allows participants to establish peer-to-peer connections over a distributed Ethernet network that works as a meeting point or exchange for VOIP network traffic. By establishing network connections with other VOIP providers, VOIP peering participants are able to route their network traffic around the PSTN, bypassing incumbent telco networks altogether.
CableLabs has set a deadline of December 14, 2005, to collect information from manufacturers and third-party service providers regarding the technologies, products and service solutions which could enable the development of a production-grade VOIP peering infrastructure to allow this VOIP traffic exchange among MSOs, and between MSOs and other service providers.
CableLabs is seeking information in several areas, including the architecture(s) for VOIP peering services, the set of Internet specifications and standards that can enable a scalable platform for interconnecting voice and other real-time communication services, and the associated operations and management requirements to develop a production-grade environment.
CableLabs is the non-profit research and development consortium for the cable industry.
