Softswitch

As VoIP technology continues to grow, we are seeing more and more VoIP platform options and developers/manufacturers. One of these options is a VoIP softswitch. A popular telecommunications network device, a softswitch helps to connect phone calls from one phone line to another across either a telecommunication network or an Internet service. As far as VoIP is concerned, a softswitch routes calls and traffic across various distances in order to connect endpoints. There are two types of softswtiches: class 4 and class 5. Class 4 softswitches help to connect and route calls across long distances (and in large volumes) while class 5 softswitches are dedicated to smaller, local areas. In essence, class 4 softswitches route traffic between the various class 5 softswitch areas.

But softswitches are not restricted to VoIP callers: callers using a traditional PSTN network can still get connected through either a class 4 or 5 softswitch. This is referenced as either call origination (PSTN to VoIP) or call termination (VoIP to PSTN).