What is a Softswitch? 

A Softswitch is a short form of software switch that can be defined as a central device for a telecommunications network that can be used for a purpose similar to that of a traditional voice switch circuit. Softswitches are mostly used in the telecommunications industry to control calls and process media streams.  

Softswitch links PSTN to IP networks for more efficient telephone use and can connect two users from different IP networks over a router. Unlike traditional phones that operate using dedicated hardware to control calls, Softswitch operates in virtual space. 

What are the types of Softswitches? 

Softswitches are used in the combination of VoIP technology and come with different features for users than what is most used to. They are used for routing and terminating sessions in VoIP networks.  

Mostly, Softswitches are available in different classes, each providing a wide list of applications. There are five types of Softswitches namely class 1, class 2, class 3, class 4, and class 5 Softswitch. 

Class 1 Softswitches are international gateways generally used for large-scale applications and Class 2, Class 3 Softswitches can link cities, towns, and in some cases states. 

Where call switching is a long-term practice to route caller to the intended recipient, the most widely used Softswitches for switching the phone lines and routing calls to different networks are Class 4 and Class 5 Softswitches. These Softswitches usually operate routing in different types such as least cost routing, loss-less routing, and time-based routing. 

Now that you understood the types of Softswitches, let’s have a closer look at class 4 and class 5 Softswitches: 

Class 4 Softswitch: 

Class 4 Softswitch is mainly used to support long-distance international locations using an IP network. For example, if an end-user wants to make a call from India to Singapore, class 4 Softswitch will route the call to Singapore and connects the two end-users.  

Another feature of Class 4 Softswitch is it deals with wholesale call traffic, which means it can safely route and monitor high amounts of VoIP voice traffic over long distances. It routes the wholesale traffic between and over different network exchanges as well as local area networks.  

The important characteristics for Class 4 Softswitch include protocol support, transcoding, conversion, an average time of one-call routing, calls per second rate, and the number of concurrent calls. These Softswitches provide intelligent call routing between the two destinations which reduces call latency, congestion, and improves the quality of VoIP calls. 

Many of the Class 4 Softswitches include features like a billing interface to record call data which in later part can be used to filter information based on client, date, call recording, or any other parameters to generate reports for incoming and outgoing calls, authorized calls, call routing, and traffic volume. 

Class 5 Softswitch: 

Class 5 Softswitch comes with a strong platform and some modern features when compared to class 4 Softswitch. Class 5 Softswitch works with local users and deals with direct consumers and end-users, whereas for an end-user it connects phones and other devices to each other.  

The class 5 Softswitch works with relatively smaller areas when compared to class 4 Softswitch as it operates within the country, town, or city. These Softswitches route calls to the intended IP address, SIP address, or DID number whichever is applicable for an end-user. 

Through this software, a retailer VoIP service provider can provide additional services like rich quality IP services, IP PBX features, call center services, calling card platforms, and authorization to enterprise and corporate clients. 

Alongside, Class 5 Softswitch also provides features that are required by end-users such as auto-attendant, call forwarding, call transfer, call waiting, and video conferencing support. VoIP services providers use Class 5 Softswitch to record the length of the customers so that they can bill customers automatically based on the time.  

These VoIP services can be leveraged by end-users and consumers from their smartphone or tablet using a specified application called VoIP mobile dialer. But, here the call will be conducted, contrived, and cut off using the VoIP Softswitch. 

Many Softswitches have IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menus and different types of authorization. For example, using an IP number, prefix, or login password one can grant access to SIP authorization. 

Class 5 Softswitches along with routing come with some additional features such as call forwarding, conference calls, voice mail, three-way calling, PBX features, and auto attendants. 

The biggest advantage of class 5 Softswitch is, it can be installed on any server as it is not limited to only customer premises. 

Difference between Class 4 and Class 5 Softswitch: 

#Function 

Class 4 and Class 5 Softswitch both serve different purposes for end-users and consumers. Where Class 5 Softswitch include services like basic-dial tone, calling features,  

 and data services to subscribers; Class 4 Softswitch is a simplified solution that routes high amounts of long-distance VoIP calls. 

#Type of service 

Class 4 Softswitch is a wholesale solution located at central office telephone exchange that is used to interconnect local exchange of carriers for long-distance calls, whereas, class 5 Softswitch is a retail solution located at the local telephony company’s head office, used to directly serve end-users. 

#Concurrent capacity 

Class 4 Softswitch can transfer high amounts of calls but class 5 Softswitch can only handle small amounts of calls. 

#Routing 

Class 4 Softswitch routes long-distance VoIP calls using multiple networks whereas, Class 5 Softswitch routes calls to end-users with the correct IP address, SIP address, or DID number. 

Looking to set up a Softswitch based on your business needs? Contact our experts today!