Cost-effective Convergence

The Importance of QoS All information being transferred across network travels in packets which reassemble themselves to their original format on reaching their destination.

Voice travels in exactly the same manner as data traffic; however it is more important for the voice packets to travel in the correct order and reassemble sequentially and without interruption. Any interruption to the flow of voice traffic, even marginal time delays, results in a broken sounding poor quality reception of the call.

Quality of Service, commonly referred to as QoS, is the ability to prioritise the flow of traffic across a network. QoS is vital in allowing smooth travel of voice packets across the network, in effect QoS provides a bus route and a 'right of way' to the identified traffic. Several 'classes of services' (bus lanes) can be applied to each circuit and different precedences set on each.

QoS over DSL

At NetServices we consider ourselves experts in DSL technologies. Having built our business in wholesale broadband, NetServices purchased Telefonica's DataStream (non-contended) network from them making us one of a handful of providers in the UK with both the IP Stream and DataStream networks. In developing our range of voice products, NetServices have gained valuable expertise in the delivery of voice over IP networks.

Voice flow requires equal bandwidth in both directions, so the need for symmetrical bandwidth is greater than with data; for which bandwidth demands are generally more one way (i.e. downstream). QoS is a highly valuable feature for key applications e.g. prioritising voice traffic / EPoS above other data applications on the network between a head office and retail branch office or remote worker.

NetServices offer QoS on both the DataStream and IPStream networks.(link to DSL Technology sheet) Capabilities have been designed to provide a low cost access technology suitable for deployment to locations where data prioritisation is required, but where the use of traditional leased line and Ethernet circuits are cost prohibitive. QoS over DSL has a considerably shorter term of contract, minimal installation fee and faster lead times than traditional leased line and Ethernet technologies.

QoS is utilised in a number of NetServices products including our converged NetTalk offering, Wires Only networks QOS DSL VPN Services.

Applications of QoS over DSL

QoS over contended DSL can be utilised within any number of situations and provides a cost-effective solution where previously it may not have been commercially viable. Examples include;

Use it within solutions to the retail industry making a converged network for voice and ePoS feasible.

Business quality voice can be delivered into branch sites and to remote workers, the QoS feature ensuring that call quality is not spoiled by simultaneous data transfer.

Short lead times and minimal contract terms means that transient sites can be serviced e.g. construction and leisure industry.

System integrators must be able to provide converged MPLS networks that can deliver Hosted IPT solutions and must be able to use QoS over IpStream and QoS over DataStream that are both forms of QoS over DSL which are better known as QoS over broadband. MPLS broadband services are critical in delivering SIP trunk networks that are service provided by IP Carriers or SIP Carriers. For long term installs you require QoS DataStream and for short term installs you require QoS IpStream. Converged broadband consists of QoS DSL and QoS ADSL to enable the economical delivery of Converged video networks. The capability of being able to provide MPLS VPN, Converged MPLS VPN and managed mpls VPN services ensures NetServices will remain a key systems integrator.