Offer new-generation real-time communication (RTC) using a mobile app for smartphone/tablet or WebRTC

Architecture

PortaSwitch is a unified service delivery platform, which includes the following components:

Session border controller (SBC)

It provides a high-availability control point for all network communications. It hides the internal network topology; protects from denial-of-service (DoS) attacks; limits call initiation ratio per endpoint; automatically distributes traffic between available softswitch nodes; enables multiple transport protocols (e.g. SIP over TLS).

Softswitch cluster

Highly scalable class 4 and 5 SIP Softswitch delivers call control and media processing functions. It supports real-time call authorization and charging, dynamic call routing, advanced call control, full IP Centrex feature set, voice and video calls, fax-over-IP, presence / BLF, instant messaging and SMS. Media processing includes voicemail, auto attendant, call queues, call recording, IVR applications, voice and video conferencing.

IP phone auto-provisioning

Zero-effort instantaneous configuration of more than 50 different IP phones from various vendors. Flexible provisioning framework allows to easily add new phone models.

WebRTC gateway

(optional, third-party) allows to deliver feature-rich communications directly to your customer’s web browser.

BSS

is used to configure the service parameters, set up recurring and usage-based charging, activate customers, perform monitoring & troubleshooting and issue invoices. There is a real-time data link between BSS and softswitch, so any changes are instantly effective and no additional configuration is required.
This allows to implement variety of revenue generation methods, such as “all inclusive” or “a-la carte” selling of features (e.g. call recording); selling bundles of minutes for monthly subscriptions; charging based on metered parameters (number of extensions or concurrent calls).

Self-care portal

It allows the customer to perform most of the IP Centrex configuration (adding extensions, configuring hunt-groups or auto attendant, etc.), access CDRs and invoices, make payments, etc.

How does it work?

1. Establish a relationship with carriers who supply inbound phone numbers (DIDs) and allow outgoing calling to landlines/mobiles (VoIP termination).
2. Your mobile app is submitted to iTunes, Google Play, Amazon App Store, and the like.
3. Set up your rating plans for calls/SMS, monthly minute packages, recurring fees and value-added services (VAS), and bundle them together into one or more products using the PortaBilling web GUI.
4. The customer follows a signup link from an online ad, a friend’s referral link, search engine results and so on, and opens a signup portal.
5. The customer downloads and installs the app.
6. The customer chooses the desired product and add-ons, and enters his personal information and payment method. The account in PortaSwitch is instantaneously provisioned.
7. The app auto-configures settings such as authentication credentials and phone number using the QR code or configuration link in an SMS. There is no need for the customer to type in anything.
8. The customer is ready to start making phone calls, chatting with friends via instant messaging (IM), or sending SMS. The service can be used via 3G and 4G/LTE mobile networks or Wi-Fi. In order to preserve battery life, the app may go into the background, but will be awakened by a push notification when there is an incoming call.
9. A customer who wants to use his desktop PC can make calls from the web browser via WebRTC technology.
10. All activities (such as calls or messaging) are authorized in real time to prevent balance overdrafts. At any time customers can top up their balance using a credit card, PayPal account, or prepaid voucher.
11. To provide a better user experience, the mobile app displays current balance information and other service-related data retrieved from PortaSwitch.
12. At the end of the month, recurring charges are applied, an invoice is generated, the credit card on file (when available) is automatically charged, and a PDF of invoice is emailed to the customer.

We realized we needed a robust, convergent softswitch that would help us bring our app to market very fast. PortaSwitch had a wealth of features, APIs, support, scalability, the ability to customize - everything we needed, plus an unusually quick development environment.”

Kerry Weir, Managing Director at Exridge

> Read more about Exridge success story

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Benefits

Optimize your daily operations:

Increase your profitability:

Provide a better experience for end users:

Stay ahead of the competition:

Excel in service reliability:

Rapidly increase your sales volume: