A Number Portability Integrated IPX to Improve Traffic Routing Efficiency for VoLTE Services

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is proposed by 3GPP as the standard of next generation mobile network. Compared to existing 3G technology, LTE provides faster transmission speed, higher spectral efficiency, and reduced network complexity. In addition, LTE is designed with a flexibility to provide voice communication over pure IP packets, called VoIP over LTE (VoLTE). Unlike GSM and 3G networks, LTE operators have the need to provide IP interconnection among peer LTE operators, called IP Packet Exchange (IPX). For more market penetration, LTE operators need Number Portability (NP) services to attract potential subscribers imported from GSM or 3G networks. To optimise traffic routing efficiency, this paper describes a NP-IPX to integrate the functionality of IPX and Number Portability Data Base (NPDB) together. The NP-IPX platform will help LTE operators to optimally interconnect with peer operators, and reduce time and capacity redundancy for call set up procedure, compared to separated NPDB and IPX network configuration.