October 16, 2007 -- At the recent European Broadband World Forum 2007 in Berlin, Nokia Siemens Networks presented its strategy for multi-service access nodes incorporating both H.248 and SIP protocols.

The company notes that when broadband technology was first introduced into fixed networks, DSLAMs went into central offices to be installed in parallel to the TDM switches. The company says it expects that this principle will remain valid as long as voice service connections exist in a POTS/ISDN-connection based network.

On the other hand, the company contends that as VoIP has become a standardized and commonly used technology, it will very likely replace obsolete, existing PSTN equipment, offering lower costs in capex and opex for networks. The company says that its multi-service access node strategy will incorporate both the H.248 and SIP protocols to transition from TDM-based voice to VoIP services as a means of saving capex and opex in building fully integrated, simplified networks.

While both protocols, H.248 and SIP, are currently being used, the company notes that "a clear trend toward SIP is visible."