Insights

Modernizing Access to Toll-Free Routing Information for Network Operators

Dec 22, 2016

At Somos, we are streamlining processes and reducing the costs associated with Toll-Free calls. And thanks to the many conversations with members of the Toll-Free industry, it is clear how important it is to evolve the way Toll-Free routing information is distributed.

This collaboration led to the development of RouteLink, a new service launching in 2017.

RouteLink will break down the technical and financial barriers for Network Operators to gain direct access to Toll-Free routing information. In making Toll-Free routing information more accessible, it helps to reduce overall network costs, which will also reduce the overall costs for delivering Toll-Free calls.

Today, there are two options for Toll-Free routing information. First, a Network Operator could build a Service Control Point (SCP). Or second, they could use one of the few third-party query service from another company’s SCP.

With a SCP, customers get a local copy of the data, which prevents the potential call set-up latency that happens when you leave your network. However, setting up a SCP is expensive, and it takes a considerable amount of time.

Because of these factors, most Network Operators rely on third-party query providers. The investment required to integrate is minimal, the service is on-demand, and the price per query for this type of service is low — just a fraction of a penny per query.

But there are a few downsides. To reach a third-party routing service, Network Operators have to leave their networks to place the query, receive the answer, then interpret the routing information, which adds to call setup latency.

In addition, those routing answers are often a predetermined route that is designed only for call completion. Their network capabilities aren’t taken into consideration, which means their network intelligence is limited for Toll-Free calls, leading to inefficiencies and higher costs. In fact, 60-80% of all Toll-Free calls are routed on legacy long distance networks simply because of their ubiquity.

With RouteLink, you will have direct access to Toll-Free routing information through a modern, open standards API, which helps Network Operators route Toll-Free calls more efficiently and cost effectively. It also allows Network Operators to perform analytics on the routing information to further refine and enhance their least cost routing and network intelligence capabilities.

RouteLink breaks down the barriers to access Toll-Free routing information by offering modernized access to help reduce the cost of Toll-Free calls. It also provides routing information and meaningful savings that Network Operators can clearly see.

Want to learn more? Visit http://info.somos.com/2016TFUSPresentations.html to view the 2016 Toll-Free User Summit presentation on RouteLink. 

Key Takeaways

• Direct access to Toll-Free routing information through a modern, open standards API, which helps Network Operators route Toll-Free calls more efficiently and cost effectively.

• Allows Network Operators to perform analytics on the routing information to further refine and enhance their least cost routing and network intelligence capabilities.