Cataleya CEO reveals how carriers can maximize network efficiency and generate revenue streams with session border controllers
Traditionally, Session Border Controllers (SBCs) were designed to keep IP networks from being exposed to the public internet, functioning as firewalls. However, as the popularity of fixed-line voice telephony decreased significantly, carriers started perceiving SBCs as necessary cost burdens, which they were forced to maintain to comply with regulatory license obligations.
But the truth of the matter is, that what were once essential yet burdensome components in network architecture have evolved into dynamic, feature-rich enablers.
Think about it: What if carriers’ SBCs can actually consolidate network infrastructure costs while also functioning as a revenue engine?
According to Andreas Hipp, CEO and Co-Founder of Cataleya, they sure can.
By looking at key enterprise communication use cases, it becomes clear how SBCs can help operators reduce costs and generate new revenue streams. Let’s explore.
SBCs in Modern Service Provider Networks
There are several key enterprise communications use cases where network operators can harness SBCs to revolutionize their service offerings:
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS): In the UCaaS realm of Unified, SBCs play a pivotal role by supporting collaboration suites and hosted PBX solutions.
“Practically every UC platform offers the possibility of calling and receiving calls from the PSTN, and the SBC always sits in between,” Hipp explains.
“Within UCaaS, there are also more specific use cases like Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and Zoom Phone Premise Peering, where SBCs are a crucial component,” he adds.
Virtual Numbers and SIP Trunking: “If a company has access from the public PSTN, typically they’re assigned with virtual telephone numbers,” Hipp explains.
Operators provide such numbers to allow their enterprise customers to establish a local presence in various regions without physical offices.
“To maintain the service quality, operators often operate regional SBCs to connect to regional networks, rather than routing voice communication across the globe,” Hipps clarifies. “This is a low-cost, easy to implement method that also prevents latency and potential packet loss.”
API-Based Services: API-based communication services enable enterprises to integrate voice, video, and messaging capabilities into their applications.
“Some SBCs, like our very own Orchid Link, have HTTP REST API support to fast-track these,” Hipp notes. “Specifically, Orchid also has sophisticated Service Management Frameworks and supports call control events as APIs for external applications to dictate call flows in real time.”
Orchid Link: All-in-One, Software-Based SBC with Flexible Deployment
Cataleya’s all-in-one, software-based SBC, Orchid Link, enables carriers to get more out of their SBCs by catering to all the above scenarios while reducing network maintenance costs and enhancing customer experience.
“With Orchid Link, there’s no need to use different models for different purposes, and there’s zero hardware involved, making use incredibly simple and intuitive,” Hipp shares.
Orchid supports different deployment options that can also be mixed and matched according to the carrier’s needs, creating hybrid deployment environments managed by a single CMS. It also offers flexible pricing models and superior 24/7 customer service.
“Our motto is ‘build your own SBC,’ which means our solution is highly scalable,” Hipp says.
“We allow customers to start with a base model and add features as they see fit so that each carrier can tailor their SBC to their unique needs. Plus, we always leave them the option to add new things, to maintain utmost flexibility.”
