It's the service, stupid : Softswitch deployments are on the upswing--are carriers using...

Flexible Centrex-type services. Services provisioned directly by the end user. Customized calling features. Softswitch technology promised all of that -- and is proving that it can deliver. The question is why more carriers aren't rolling it out. A recent study commissioned by the International Softswitch Consortium in conjunction with America's Network found that while softswitch rollouts are on the rise, the technology is most commonly being used for Internet offload, not gee-whiz futuristic services (AN, Jan. 15, page 15).

The problem may be simple mindset. Carriers