The Ericson approach to intelligent networks

The authors provide an overview of Ericsson´s intelligent network architecture (INA) and the rationale behind the architectural precepts. The following features are discussed: unbundled service logic for functional flexibility, functional components as service primitives, service creation, INA signaling and addressing, and communicating over the SS7 network. It is concluded that with the INA new services can be introduced at centralized nodes. As service usage grows and is accepted by the market, service logic migrates toward the subscriber access point. As services are distributed out into the network, the centralized nodes become free and can be reused in a continuing process of successive introduction of new services. The pace of migration is determined by the network cost for centralization versus the operation and administrative costs for distribution