Signaling System Seven (SS7 or C7) is a signaling architecture for performing out-of-band signaling in support of call establishment, routing and information exchange for wireline and wireless networks.

The SS7 Module for the OmniVox3D Application Server Software allows Service Providers worldwide to connect directly with the SS7 network and take advantage of its high availability, reliability and performance. With direct access to the SS7 network, Service Providers can deliver robust switching and routing applications like real time or prepaid billing, intelligent routing and call center redirection.

The SS7 Module minimizes the expense of implementing enhanced services by building on the investment already made in an SS7 infrastructure. The SS7 Module allows Service Providers to implement ISUP, ISUP Loopback and SS7 Intelligent Node solutions. The net result provides the most efficient solution for implementing enhanced services and "in-the-network" applications.

OmniVox3D's implementation of SS7 provides a cost-effective solution by combining APEX's family of products together with the open SS7 technology provided by Intel®'s NetStructure™ SS7 product family. This combination allows APEX to offer a technologically rich solution to Service Providers by providing a powerful, scalable SS7 network element capable of deploying applications rapidly.

SS7 functionality within OmniVox3D allows it to reside in the SS7 network as a Service Switching Point (SSP) or as a Signaling End Point. This allows Service Providers to provide high performance and high-density enhanced media and routing applications within the SS7 network cloud while maximizing existing SS7 network infrastructure.

OmniVox3D's Signaling Gateway (SG) is a software module designed to drive Intel's NetStructure hardware products. OmniVox3D provides its own ISUP stacks to give Service Providers the flexibility they need when it comes to SS7 message and parameter support. Currently supported SS7 specifications include:

	Q.701-Q.703	ITU-T MTP Level2
	Q.704-Q.707	ITU-T MTP Level3
	Q.761-Q.764	ITU-T ISUP
	Q.767	ITU-T ISUP for International Networks
	Q.771-Q.775	ITU-T TCAP
	T1.111.2-3	ANSI MTP Level2
	T1.111.4-7	ANSI MTP Level3
	T1.113	ANSI ISUP
	T1.114	ANSI TCAP

APEX has successfully completed and passed SS7 homologation testing around the world providing the experience and know-how required to implement the OmniVox3D SG into practically any type of SS7 or C7 network.

Most applications may benefit from the decreased call setup time that the SS7 technology provides. Additionally, some applications take further advantage of SS7's ability to provide more call-related information as well as its redirection capabilities including:

• Advanced Intelligent Networking (AIN) /Intelligent Networking (IN): Network Access, Network Voice Announcements, Call Center Routing
• 800/Free-Phone Services, Premium Rate Numbers, Intelligent Prepaid Calling
• Call Control/Call Routing: Migration of ISDN-based networks to SS7 or IP-based networks
• Unified Messaging

OmniVox3D's Signaling Gateway implementation of SS7 technologies allow Service Providers to seamlessly activate enhanced services including real time billing, prepaid calling, unified messaging and intelligent call routing in the SS7 network.

The SG may be configured to meet budgetary and redundancy requirements by implementing it in different configurations including cost-effective entry level to fault-tolerant, five-nines (99.999%) configurations.

The SS7 Module for the OmniVox3D Application Server Software provides not only high reliability, high availability as well as performance but also the flexibility to add media to the SS7 network in centralized and distributed configurations in a standards-based, true open architecture environment.

The SS7 Module not only provides faster call set up times, but coupled with the OmniView® OAM&P and Service Creation Environment, it also allows for enhanced services to be designed, developed and deployed in a very short time.