| Abstract: | One elusive aspect of voice over IP is the problem of providing a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using IP as the core technology. This paper discusses the need for PSTN replacement with IP, and compares some of the signalling and call control options currently being progressed in standards bodies. The bearer-independent call control (BICC) under development in the ITU is explained in greater depth, covering the requirements, functional modelling, information flows and protocol aspects. The paper concludes with the current open issues and time-scales for the standardisation of BICC. |
