VoLTE and VoWi-Fi

The BroadForward Next Generation Diameter Signaling Controller (BroadForward DSC) is fully equipped to support PCRF binding for VoLTE and VoWi-Fi. On the BroadForward DSC, session binding (“stickiness”) can be applied for PCRF or any Diameter device that requires binding.

VoLTE and VoWi-Fi picking up quickly
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi) are taking center stage for service providers to deliver HD quality voice and multimedia services. The number of commercial VoLTE and VoWi-Fi deployments is rapidly increasing. Launching VoLTE and VoWi-Fi services require mobile operators to not only deploy the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), but to also integrate it with the policy and charging rules function (PCRF).

Requirement for PCRF binding
In networks with multiple PCRFs deployed, it is key that all Diameter sessions established over the Gx, Rx and S9 reference points for a specific IP-CAN session use the same PCRF instance. This session correlation capability is often referred to as “session binding” or “PCRF binding”. For example, sessions created over Gx for LTE users may be routed to a specific PCRF based on the subscriber identifier – IMSI. When another session is created over Rx – for a VoLTE voice call, for example – this session is identified by the assigned IP address. To ensure that session requests are routed to the correct PCRF, the relationship between the subscriber identifier, the assigned IP address and the chosen PCRF instance has to be maintained for the duration of the IP-CAN session. BroadForward also supports the 5G Binding Support Function (BSF)

Geo-redundancy for call continuity
Moreover, session binding requires geo-redundant implementation, with session-binding data synchronization across sites, supporting Gx/Rx session continuity for local and geo-redundant failovers. In the event of a failure, the call should continue with the session and metering state preserved – all completely seamless to the user. Traditional PCRF and Diameter router solutions provide limited capabilities for geo-redundant session binding and intelligent load sharing.

The BroadForward DSC provides full support for PCRF binding
The BroadForward Next Generation Diameter Signaling Controller (BroadForward DSC) is fully equipped to support PCRF binding for VoLTE and VoWi-Fi. On the BroadForward DSC, session binding (“stickiness”) can be applied for PCRF or any Diameter device that requires binding. Through the graphical user interface users can configure AVP(s), for which the BroadForward DSC guarantees that the same peer connection will be selected during the session. This applies to all Diameter applications so that all Diameter traffic for a given subscriber session goes to the same PCRF instance. Association of incoming messages to a session can be based on various Diameter parameters or combinations of parameters, such as:

  • IMSI/MSISDN
  • APN
  • IP Address

The BroadForward DSC supports the relevant functions and Diameter applications for PCRF binding for VoLTE and VoWi-Fi, including Gx, Rx, Sh, S6b, S9, SWm, SWx and Cx. Geo-redundant session binding is provided by using the on-board (high-available) session store with cross-site data replication. The session store is multi-node aware, using a distributed storage model. In case of a node or site failure, the established session is processed by the redundant (other) node or site without any interruption.

BroadForward Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter to get regular product and industry updates