DEC98

Intelligent Network Services
Virtual Private Network
VPN interconnects corporate locations using the public network—fixed or mobile—with features of a private network but without investing in one.

One of the key objectives of Virtual Private Network (VPN), an Intelligent Network (IN) service, for the mobile operator is to keep a corporate customer’s internal and external communications within the network. Airtime cost has been generally the major inhibiting factor for full adoption of mobile communications across the company. VPN service can be the main driver for corporates to achieve this cost-effectiveness.

VPN Advantages

In order to attract a corporate customer, besides highlighting saving of investment in private network solutions like EPABX, the operator has to devise a favourable tariffing policy offering cost savings in communication expenses. There are a number of other specific advantages.

Private numbering plan: Numbering is customized and uniform throughout the company

Control over user routing: Routing is determined for optimization of traffic

Network management: The VPN configuration is customized to the individual’s needs and managed by the customer and/or the operator

Extended functionality to small remote sites: Such sites are able to use all the features used in the main locations

Greater flexibility: Customers can change the network configuration much more quickly than with private networks

Centralized billing and departmental accounting.

Features Gallore for VPN

Call logging provides information on the call behaviour of individuals or groups of users which can be used to evolve a strategy to maximize communication efficiency.

Call screening, of originating and terminating calls, is performed to limit access to destination ranges (like international or premium rate numbers) by IN-based on origin/destinations (white and black list), location, identity (user profile), and time/date. However, a barred call is allowed if the user pays.

Virtual private line, separate from professional one, can be set up based on the time of the day (after 6 p.m. and during weekends), destination (calls outside VPN), or other parameters can also include pre-paid option for private use.

Homezone: Operators can create pricing based on the location of the mobile. As corporates are willing to pay a premium for mobility, operators can offer pricing differentiation between on-site (called from within the building) and off-site calls. A special pricing can also be offered within the home, especially in the evening for private use.

Unique number (with a unique voicemail) allows each user a unique (dynamic) profile in the database. During call set-up and service execution, the call is screened and routed to the destination specified by user in his profile. The call is also analyzed by the IN to be charged as official or personal. The secrecy of the mobile number allows the user full control over personal calls, i.e., reachability and availability.

Packaging VPN: Different Strokes

The introduction of VPN service by mobile operator leverages considerably on the existing corporate packages. Even though the operator has to offer better rates, the overall revenue increases due to increase in the volume of subscriptions as well as the traffic per user due to enhanced features.

Advanced service packages like VPN enable to tailor services to the needs of different corporate segments—made possible by the flexibility of IN in terms of:

Networks: Seamless service over fixed, mobile, and private networks

Segments: Tailoring the service to specific market segments

Users: Service control by individual users.

VPNs can be packaged according to a micro-segment within the "corporate segment". For instance, for a corporate customer with a mobile sales-force, a large part of the customer contact is often outside the office. Mobile communications are therefore of major importance for contact with customers and with the office. Control of incoming calls is important in order to filter low priority calls. Keeping the mobile number "secret" avoids low priority calls in high priority moments. To control costs, private calls can be separated.

Thus, a seamless and flexible VPN could be packaged, depending on the needs of segment/microsegment, consisting of virtual private line, unique number, unique voicemail, data and fax transmission, and direct link (with say fixed lines or EPABX, if regulations allow).

For "personal segment" the operator can devise "Friend & Family Package" with 10 to 20 users but with features much more than closed user group.

The introduction of VPN in mobile networks brings the advantages of IN solution in tailoring services to the needs of the operators’ key corporate customers—for enhanced loyalty in a competitive environment.

NIRAJ K. GUPTA, from my cell, Voice & Data, December 1998.