VoIP interconnect and quality impacts on 3G core network evolution

This paper examines the deployment of VoIP on 3GPP R4/5 network architectures and the parameters that affect the voice quality of the system. The paper then examines how the budgets for these speech quality parameters are stretched when calls are routed over multiple VoIP networks. Finally, the paper shows how VoIP interconnect is required to maintain speech quality in an IP environment and the impact that this has on core network evolution. The paper shows how aspects of the interconnect effect the features and capabilities of both the radio access network (RAN) and the user's device, and suggest how technology and features can be used to optimise the perception the user has of the speech service.