Whitepaper

A competitive comparison of
IPClear and MPLS VPN
alltogether Business Tel: 0870 753 0900 - E-mail: info@netservicesplc.com - Web: www.netservicesplc.com

Part 1: The Commercials of Convergence (04/04/08)

BTs IP Clear product is seen as the default choice for many IP Telephony (IPT) roll-outs as it is generally seen as a robust
and proven technology. Limitations with this solution arise when small or branch offices need to be considered as part of the
solution. Moving from an ADSL IP Clear solution capable of delivering two calls rather than one gives rise to a price increase of 230%.

Allthough DSL is the cost-effective option for networking until recently it too had limitations. The fact that it was impossible to deliver
prioritisation or Quality of Service (QoS) over all DSL technologies, vital for many voice implementations, resulted in DSL being unsuitable for
voice over IP networks.

NetServices have developed the ability to run QoS over all DSL solutions providing far greater technical flexibility in IPT roll-outs as well as
significant commercial benefits. Connecting the small office with QoS over DSL produces network savings in excess of 59% and 83% against
IP Clear, when providing 2-4 calls and 5-16 simultaneous voice calls respectively.

NetServices offers the ability to deliver cost-effective voice networks in all scenarios, even to the smallest of sites, and effectively overcomes
the limitations of IP Clear to deliver a small number of simultaneous calls cost-effectively.

A Brief Look at Current Issues

Traditionally the requirement for QoS enabled access technologies,
such as leased lines and the BT IP Clear ADSL access variants has
proved to be too expensive a component to justify IP Telephony
deployment to small offices. This constraint is accentuated with a
requirement to service between 1 and 16 handsets. In many cases
the capital expenditure required ensures that the return on investment
(ROI) model for the solution simply does not work.
None of the above are ideal outcomes for the integrator involved.
Introducing NetServices QoS over DSL products as part of the
network dramatically improves the prospect of winning a profitable
IP telephony solution. QoS over DSL provides the Systems Integrator
community with the potential to revisit both current and pending
opportunities, as well as potentially enhancing the existing IP
Telephony solutions that they are already supporting.

This issue is compounded when considering the feasibility of an
IP Telephony solution for organisations where there are a large
proportion of small sized offices. This generally results in one of
three scenarios occurring;
1. The ROI model associated with the IP Telephony solution fails,
resulting in the solution not being deployed and the organisation
maintaining its existing telephony infrastructure. This often happens
when the integrator, or reseller, involved has already spent time
designing and specifying the solution.
2. IP Telephony is only deployed to the larger offices. This cut-down
solution does not enable the organisation to benefit from all of the
efficiencies created by an organisation-wide IP Telephony roll-out and
limits hardware and managed service value for the reseller.
3. The systems integrator makes a loss in deploying the service to
the small offices in order to justify the ROI associated with the IP
Telephony solution.
Examining the Options
BT IP Clear is still the product of choice for most voice networking
requirements. The reduced footprints of Local Loop Unbundled
networks have ensured that IP Clear has remained the market
leader. NetServices’ QoS over DSL solutions utilise the BT IPStream
and DataStream DSL network infrastructures to provide a credible
alternative, incorporating the same coverage and improved capability
over IP Clear.
DSL is fast becoming accepted as the access technology for next
generation networks. The increased capacity provided by ADSL Max,
and in the near future by ADSL version 2 technologies, will ensure
that DSL will supersede legacy technologies, such as leased lines
and ISDN, in delivering voice connectivity to locations at a reduced
cost. Service levels around DSL are predicted to be improved
through the introduction of a business grade enhanced care product.
Now NetServices unique ability in prioritising traffic over DSL can
extend its use in solutions where previously it was unsuitable.

NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK 1
alltogether Business
BT IP Clear
The BT IP Clear solution provides a wires-only IP access service that
enables large corporations, mid-size enterprise, carriers and ISPs to create
IP based VPN services.
It is based upon BTs wholly owned and managed Multi Protocol Label
Switching (MPLS) network and is marketed as providing the performance,
reliability and security of a leased line network, with the any-to-any
scalabilities and flexibilities of an IP network.
BT IP Clear enables network connectivity to locations over a wide range of
bandwidths and offers differentiated performance levels and prioritisation
of delay, and non-delay sensitive traffic, including voice and multi-media
applications.
There is a defined pricing structure with a one-off connection charge
and an annual rental fee required per access into IP Clear connection.
A competitive Universal Discount Scheme based on annual spend and
commitment is available to wholesale partners, with a maximum 30%
saving being available for a 5 year committed annual spend of above £2 million.
Table 1. Solution Overviews
Delivering Voice Solutions in that ‘Problem Range’
1-16 Simultaneous Calls
The available technologies used to deliver a small number of
simultaneous voice calls to a location have traditionally been
restricted to leased lines and the BT IP Clear ADSL access variants.
Their limitations when voice capacities versus cost are compared
have already been highlighted. The following direct comparisons
scrutinise the commercials in more detail.
Technical Comparison
Using IP Clear
Using an IP Clear solution organisations can connect their small
offices to a QoS enabled network by a number of methods of access
technology. The three IP Clear access technologies most commonly
used to service small offices, in terms of a best commercial and
technical fit, are as follows:
1. ADSL Plus - contended (5:1) ADSL Service.
2. ADSL Premium - non-contended (1:1) ADSL Service.
3. Leased Line
Quality of Service can be applied to all three IP Clear access
technologies, with six classes of service being available. Voice must
be configured into the prioritised, expedited forwarding (EF) class.
BT stipulates a maximum configurable amount of bandwidth that
can be used for voice traffic. This figure is dependent upon the type
of access technology, and is detailed below for the ADSL IP Clear
access products:
• ADSL Plus - 30kbps voice bandwidth
• ADSL Premium - 130kbps voice bandwidth
NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK
Tel: 0870 753 0900 - E-mail: info@netservicesplc.com - Web: www.netservicesplc.com
NetServices Wires-Only MPLS VPN
NetServices are networking specialists with a comprehensive portfolio
of converged communications solutions facilitating the delivery of voice
and other mission critical data applications. Our expertise, and unique
ability in QoS over DSL access technologies for MPLS VPN solutions,
is complemented by use of ethernet and leased line capabilities where
appropriate.
NetServices’ MPLS VPN service is available as a fully managed network
service, or unbundled as a wires-only service. The wires-only option is
ideal for systems integrators and value added reseller partners, enabling
them to provision client networks through NetServices, whilst supplying
and managing the routers and other customer premises equipment (CPE)
themselves.
There is a simple pricing structure for service where a one-off connection
charge and an annual rental fee are required per connection.
A partner discount scheme is also available.
To optimally use the available voice bandwidth it is essential to use
the G.729 CODEC at a 30msec sampling rate. This ensures that the
bandwidth consumed by one voice call is 28.3kbps. Therefore to
deliver between 1 and 16 simultaneous voice calls, the following IP
Clear access technologies can be used:
Maximum
Simultaneous Access into IP Clear product required
Calls
1 256kbps ADSL Plus Access into IP Clear with 30kbps EF
2 256kbps ADSL Premium Access into IP Clear with 60kbps EF
4 256kbps ADSL Premium Access into IP Clear with 120kbps EF
5 256kbps Leased Line Access into IP Clear with 150kbps EF
8 512kbps Leased Line Access into IP Clear with 240kbps EF
16 1024kbps Leased Line Access into IP Clear with 480kbps EF
Table 2. Minimum IP Clear product to service
1 – 16 simultaneous G.729 voice calls
ADSL Plus is capable of delivering one voice call, whereas the ADSL
Premium is capable of delivering up to a maximum of 4 simultaneous
voice calls. For delivery of greater than 4 simultaneous voice calls a
leased line is required.
Using NetServices QoS over DSL
NetServices has an extensive range of access technologies suitable
to connect smaller offices to a QoS enabled network. The most
common MPLS VPN access technologies used to service small
offices, in terms of a best commercial and technical fit, are as
follows:
1. QoS DSL IPStream - contended (office) ADSL Service
2. QoS ADSL DataStream - non-contended (1:1) ADSL Service
3. QoS SDSL DataStream - non-contended (1:1) SDSL Service
2
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Quality of Service can be applied to all technologies, with up to a Commercial Comparison

maximum of four classes of service being available. Voice must be
configured into the prioritised Platinum class.
The maximum amounts of bandwidth that can be reserved for voice
traffic for the following NetServices QoS over ADSL access products
are as follows:
• 812kbps QoS DSL IPStream - 150kbps voice bandwidth
• 256kbps QoS ADSL DataStream - 192kbps voice bandwidth
• ≥512kbps QoS ADSL DataStream - 384kbps voice bandwidth
The above figures are based around the standard NetServices
product set. A number of enhanced service options are available
on a bespoke basis for both QoS DSL IPStream and DataStream,
where the boundaries of ADSL Max technology have been stretched
delivering greater voice bandwidth.
By optimally using the G.729 CODEC with the variables of sampling
rate and real-time header compression, the voice bandwidth
consumed by 1 voice call will be 28.3kbps and 21.2kbps across
QoS DSL IPStream and QoS DSL DataStream respectively.
Therefore to deliver between 1 and 16 simultaneous voice calls, the
following QoS over DSL access products can be used:
Maximum
Simultaneous NetServices Access Product Required
Calls
Viewing the commercials against the technical solutions outlined
above immediately highlights the issues integrators have with certain
installs - as well as demonstrating a sweet-spot for the NetServices
solution. The below table provides a direct cost comparison between
the NetServices and IP Clear products required to deliver the stated
maximum number of simultaneous calls to a small office. The
NetServices enhanced care option has been factored in to ensure
that service levels are comparable.
All pricing is based around BT and NetServices guide pricing and is
exclusive of any discounts scheme. It is worth considering that the
maximum saving that could be achieved via the BT VPN universal
discount scheme is 30%, though the ADSL Plus service does not
qualify under this scheme. Bespoke pricing is available from both
parties, BT and NetServices, based on the metrics of contract term
and customer network design.
The substantial price increase when moving between the ADSL Plus
and the ADSL Premium solution is key to understanding the benefits
the NetServices’ solution offers. ADSL Premium becomes essential
when the solution has the need to handle 2 calls rather than 1. In
commercial terms this requirement equates to an increase of 230%.
Using NetServices for the deployment of 2-4 simultaneous calls, QoS
DSL IPStream provides savings in the region of 59% over its most
comparable BT IP Clear solution, ADSL Premium.

1 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 50kbps Platinum

2 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 100kbps Platinum
4 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 150kbps Platinum
5 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 150kbps Platinum
8 256kbps QoS ADSL DataStream, 180kbps Platinum
16 512kbps QoS ADSL DataStream, 360kbps Platinum
The only IP Clear solution able to provide sufficient voice bandwidth
for more than 4 calls is a leased line. With NetServices using QoS
DSL IPStream for upwards of 5, and QoS DSL DataStream for up to
16 simultaneous calls, annual network savings in excess of 83% are
achieved.

Table 3. Minimum NetServices QoS over DSL product to service 1 – 16

simultaneous G.729 voice calls

QoS DSL IPStream is capable of delivering upwards of 5, and QoS

DSL DataStream is capable of delivering up to 16, simultaneous
voice calls to an office.

Maximum NetServices IP Clear NetServices NetServices IP Clear NetServices

Simultaneous Calls set-up charge set-up charge set-up saving annual rental charge annual rental charge annual rental saving

1 £100.00 £100.00 0.00% £640.00 £650.00 1.54%

2 £100.00 £500.00 80.00% £875.00 £2,150.00 59.30%
4 £100.00 £500.00 80.00% £955.00 £2,300.00 58.48%
5 £100.00 £1,500.00 93.33% £955.00 £5,875.00 83.74%
8 £135.00 £2,500.00 94.60% £1,525.00 £9,100.00 83.24%
16 £135.00 £3,500.00 96.14% £1,915.00 £12,187.50 84.29%

Table 4. Commercial Comparison between using NetServices and IP Clear for 1 – 16 Simultaneous G.729 Voice Calls

NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK 3
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Example Scenarios Converged Network Requirements

The previous section has demonstrated the commercial benefits of
the NetServices QoS over DSL products for providing between 1 and
16 simultaneous voice calls to a small office. Mapping these into
real-world scenarios, highlighted earlier, further demonstrates the
commercial benefits. In the opening section of this paper a strong
conclusion was made that the cost of legacy network technologies,
such as the BT IP Clear solution, ensures that the ROI models for
IP Telephony solutions does not work, especially for multi-office
scenarios where there are large numbers of small offices.
Scenario 1: Company A
Company A is a UK based organisation specialising in the sale and
distribution of a garden product. There are 85 medium sized retail
outlets and an additional 20 small outlets located within well known
department stores. In addition there is a group headquarters, their
northern and southern distribution centre, and a main manufacturing plant.
Company A has disparate voice systems. Communications at all
sites are completely autonomous therefore all company wide internal
calls and external calls are routed out via the PSTN. There are PBX
systems located at the 4 large offices where they are connected to
the PSTN via ISDN30e connections. The retail outlets have a number
of analogue phones that are individually connected to the PSTN.
An MPLS data network is used to connect all sites together.
The Groups IT applications are centralised at the headquarters.
The network delivers applications including EPOS, email, stock
control and limited web browsing via a central proxy server at
the headquarters. There are no plans to introduce any further
applications in the next three years.
The diagram below represents the current voice and data communications
set-up of Company A with its separate voice and data networks.

Distribution
Centres

PBX
ISDN30e
15 Channels 1Mb/s SDSL
Manufacturing
Plant Headquarters
1Mb/s SDSL 2x ISDN30e
PBX 2Mb/s
60 Channels
ISDN30e Leased Line
PSTN 8 Channels
MPLS WAN PBX PSTN
Larger Retail
Outlets
512kbps
Analogue
ADSL Office
Lines Analogue Phones

Small Retail 512kbps

Outlets ADSL Office

Analogue Phones

Figure 1. Company A Existing Voice and Data Network

It is the view of both the systems integrator and the company’s IT The individual voice and data requirements for all offices have been
Director that the communications infrastructure currently in assessed by Company A and their Systems Integrator partner to
place is over specified for their requirements. The outcome to determine the requirements for a fully converged voice and data
be further explored is; would the introduction of a group wide network solution, and are outlined in the table below.
converged communications infrastructure provide significant
communications cost savings and generate significant operational Maximum
Voice Data Total
bandwidth bandwidth bandwidth
efficiencies? Office Type simultaneous
requirement requirement requirement
calls
(kbps) (kbps) (kbps)
The Systems Integrator previously proposed a converged multi-site
IP Telephony solution using the BT IP Clear solution in conjunction Group Headquarters 35 990.5 545.5 1536

with Cisco Call Manager. Significant savings were expected through Distribution Centre 12 339.6 250 589.6
the removal of some PSTN lines at the retail outlets, as well as Manufacturing Plant 4 113.2 75 188.2
reduced call rates with all external calls being centrally routed via the Large Outlet 2 56.6 5 61.6
Headquarters, and free on-net calls between offices. Small Outlet 1 28.3 5 33.3

However the ROI model did not work due to the capital and Table 5. Company A’s converged network bandwidth requirements
operational expenditure attributed to the IP Clear network
component, so the opportunity has not moved forward.

To assess this opportunity the existing voice and data requirements

for all of Company A’s office types have been determined and the
most suitable IP Clear and NetServices network solutions specified
by means of comparison.

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IP Clear Solution for Company A
The most appropriate IP Clear solution for Company A’s converged
networking requirements can be seen in the table below.
For the purposes of pricing this network it has been assumed that
non voice traffic is treated as ‘best efforts’ and that no Universal
Discount Scheme pricing has been applied.
Leased lines are required to satisfy the voice requirement of the
headquarters and distribution centres due to the configurable
voice bandwidth being well in excess of the 130kbps limit of ADSL
Premium access into IP Clear. For the manufacturing plant and large
outlets, the IP ADSL Premium product can be used as it can easily
cope with the voice and data bandwidth requirements. The small
outlets only have the requirement for 1 voice call and so the ADSL
Plus product is suitable.
The manufacturing plant and the retail outlets will use variants of the
QoS DSL IPStream product depending upon the voice requirements.
In this example QoS over DSL can be used to service the converged
network requirements for all but one of Company A sites. Using the
NetServices solution means the integrator can deploy a solution that
both delivers the expected service levels and provides network savings
in excess of 73% at set-up and 57% on an ongoing annual basis.
Conclusions
NetServices QoS over DSL technologies enables organisations to
cost effectively deploy IP Telephony solutions to a greater proportion
of locations - in particular small offices.
Because the ROI model is improved for organisation wide deployment
(as it reduces the WAN component charges) the business case for IP

No. of Set-Up Annual Rental Total Set-Up Total Annual

Office Type IP Clear Solution
Offices Charge Charge Charge Rental Charge

Group Headquarters 1 2Mbps Leased Line with 995kbps EF £3,500.00 £14,487.50 £3,500.00 £14,487.50
Distribution Centre 2 1Mbps Leased Line with 340kbps EF £3,500.00 £11,850.00 £7,000.00 £23,700.00
Manufacturing Plant 1 512kbps ADSL Premium with 115kbps EF £500.00 £3,387.50 £500.00 £3,387.50
Large Outlet 85 256kbps ADSL Premium with 60kbps EF £500.00 £2,150.00 £42,500.00 £182,750.00
Small Outlet 20 256kbps ADSL Plus with 30kbps EF £100.00 £650.00 £2,000.00 £13,000.00

Total £55,500.00 £237,325.00

Table 6. Minimum IP Clear solution for Company A’s converged networking requirements

NetServices MPLS solution for Company A
The NetServices solution for Company A utilises three access
technology types as outlined below. The table also outlines the cost
savings achieved in comparison to the IP Clear solution.
For the purposes of pricing this network it was assumed that non
voice traffic is treated as ‘best efforts’, the enhanced care option has
been selected, and no discount scheme pricing is applied.
Telephony is much more compelling for end-user organisations.
A more compelling business case to adopt IP Telephony ensures
additional benefits seen can also be realised. These include greater
flexibility, enhanced user feature intuitiveness, improved reach and
presence, the introduction of unified communications and more
e-business applications.

A leased line has been recommended for the headquarters in QoS DSL is an enabler for organisations to achieve the above
objectives which will ultimately lead to the Systems Integrator
preference to SDSL, due to the importance of the office and
increasing value-added managed services to organisations.
the enhanced Service Level Guarantee that is available with this
technology. For the distribution centres the QoS DSL DataStream
product proved best-fit to deliver the required number of voice calls.

No. of Set-Up Annual Total Total Annual

Office Type NetServices Access Solution
Offices Charge Rental Charge Set-Up Charge Rental Charge

Group Headquarters 1 2Mbps Leased Line with 995kbps Platinum £3,971.29 £6,906.71 £3,971.29 £6,906.71
Distribution Centre 2 1Mbps QoS ADSL DataStream, 360kbps Platinum £135.03 £2,800.22 £270.00 £5,600.44
Manufacturing Plant 1 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 150kbps Platinum £100.00 £955.00 £100.00 £955.00
Large Outlet 85 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 100kbps Platinum £100.00 £875.00 £8,500.00 £74,375.00
Small Outlet 20 800kbps QoS ADSL IPStream, 50kbps Platinum £100.00 £640.00 £2,000.00 £12,800.00

Total £14,841.29 £100,637.15

Saving over IP Clear £40,658.71 £136,687.85
Saving as a Percentage 73.26% 57.60%

Table 7. Minimum NetServices solution for Company A’s converged networking requirements and savings over IP Clear

NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK 5
alltogether Business
Part II: How it Works, The Technical Details
From humble beginnings as a cheap form of internet access
for the home user, DSL technologies have matured to
become a valuable business communications tool. Until now
its limitations have been that most DSL in the UK has been
delivered across the BT IPStream network, this is a contended
network unable to differentiate between traffic types and
prioritise accordingly. In effect, this has limited the value
of incorporating DSL in converged solutions where it was
otherwise most suited i.e. at the smallest sites.
NetServices have now breached this boundary, thus elevating DSL
from bit part player to its leading role in enabling convergence for
the SME, branch office and teleworker. NetServices only use private
DSL networks as the basis of all our services so no public internet
is involved, thus minimising the security risks many are concerned
about with DSL based services.
This has been achieved by incorporating a number of products and
technical features to achieve MPLS across the NetServices core
network.
QoS over DSL Access Technologies
NetServices delivers QoS over DSL access technologies via both it’s
DataStream and IPStream networks.
Technical Benefits
By developing an innovative range of DSL solutions to provide QoS
enabled connectivity to offices, distinct technical advantages over
the BT IP Clear solution are realised with the NetServices QoS over
DSL products. The scope of the technical advantages includes the
following;
• The use of ADSL Max technology for all ADSL access circuits
allows delivery of increased upstream, therefore synchronous
bandwidth over ADSL, enabling a greater volume of simultaneous
calls to be provided to offices. For IP Clear ADSL access circuits,
upstream bandwidth is limited to 256kbps.
• The bandwidth that can be reserved for voice traffic when
applying QoS on NetServices ADSL access circuits is greater than
that available with the respective IP Clear products. This enables
more voice calls to be made and ensures that the voice quality can
be optimised. NetServices recommend the maximum configurable
bandwidth being provisioned into the Platinum class should not
exceed 75% of the network access bandwidth for voice-only
deployment scenarios, and 50% for converged scenarios.
• The use of IP Clear in conjunction with the G.711 CODEC is
bandwidth inefficient as only 1 call can be made with the ADSL
Premium service and no calls can be made with the ADSL
Plus service. This will impact upon the capability to use legacy
NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK
Tel: 0870 753 0900 - E-mail: info@netservicesplc.com - Web: www.netservicesplc.com
telephony devices such as faxes, as they only use the G.711
CODEC after conversion via an ATA device. Therefore, when using
IP Clear it is likely that PSTN lines will need to be maintained if
legacy fax devices are to remain.
• The NetServices QoS DSL DataStream product supports the
use of the Real Time Header Compression (cRTP) feature which is
not available with IP Clear. This approximately doubles the amount
of concurrent calls that can be achieved in comparison to ADSL
Premium Access into IP Clear.
• Multi Link Point to Point Protocol (MLPPP) bonding is available
with the QoS DSL DataStream product, providing increased
synchronous bandwidth to offices. This is ideal for offices where
the achievable DSL line rate is low, or the cost and/or availability
of other higher bandwidth access technologies, such as leased
lines/ethernet, is restricted. This is usually dictated by geography.
Service Advantages
In addition to the technical advantages of the NetServices QoS over
ADSL products, there are some significant service differences that
should also be considered when comparing products, these are
detailed below.
• NetServices provide a full Service Level Guarantee for the QoS
over DSL services. There is no SLG for service availability or
restoration with the IP Clear ADSL access connections.
• Enhanced Care is provided with the IP Clear ADSL access
product, this provides a 24 hour 365 day cover, with a 4 hour
response and 24 hour repair target. Enhanced Care is available
from NetServices as an option, and so can be omitted, reducing
annual rental pricing.
• The standard lead time for delivery of services for the
NetServices QoS over DSL products is 15 working days. The
IP Clear ADSL access products have a standard lead time of
25 working days. Unlike the NetServices products, there are no
penalties if the contractual delivery date is not achieved with the IP
Clear ADSL access products.
• For both IP Clear ADSL access products and the NetServices
QoS DSL DataStream access product there is a minimum
contractual term of 12 months. There is a level of flexibility with
the QoS DSL IPStream access products and thus shorter contract
terms can be provided, on an opportunity specific basis only.
6
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QoS DSL - DataStream
ADSL and SDSL services are delivered via the BT DataStream ATM
based network. Here the connectivity provisioned to a location uses a
dedicated Virtual Path within the DataStream ATM network, from the
location to NetServices, ensuring that the service is non-contended.
Non-contended circuits offer greater throughput rates, with a higher
level of consistency than contended DSL services. The achievable
bandwidth is comparable to leased lines, though cost is reduced at
the expense of the SLA.
The use of ADSL Max technology provides an increased upstream
capability, therefore greater voice bandwidth can be provisioned than
with standard ADSL, where the upstream is restricted to 256kbps. The
1Mbps service provides a hybrid solution with the achievable line speeds
in between those available with SDSL and conventional ADSL services.
Bonded DSL circuits are available where a number of end-user
access circuits are mapped into a dedicated Virtual Path within the
BT DataStream network. Multi-Link Point-to-Point Protocol (MLPPP)
is then used to aggregate the sum of the bandwidth supplied by the
individual access circuits.
QoS DSL - IPStream
QoS DSL - IPStream technology provides downstream QoS over
contended ADSL Max Office circuits. The Cisco feature “per session
shaping and queuing over L2TP” is used to prioritise bandwidth
delivered into the BT network. BT state that the expected end user
experience for ADSL Max will provide a downstream throughput of
800kbps, therefore a ‘best efforts’ QoS capability is achieved.
The technology provides significant technical advantages over
standard contended DSL circuits, where some QoS features can
be implemented in the upstream direction of the outbound CPE
interface, but not in the downstream direction.
Using contended DSL with limited QoS features results in the user
experience being inconsistent, especially when running a real-time
data application across the service. For example when making a
voice call, speech quality may be acceptable for a long period until a
large data file starts downloading simultaneously with the traffic from
a voice call. With no downstream QoS available, voice and data traffic
are competing for bandwidth. This can result in jitter, delay and packet
loss ultimately causing speech quality to be detrimentally affected.
QoS DSL - IPStream is available with a fixed bandwidth and a finite
number of service policy options, in both converged and data-only
formats. The table below provides a direct comparison between the
NetServices and BT ADSL access products.

BT ADSL Premium BT ADSL Plus NetService QoS ADSL - NetService QoS ADSL
Access to IP Clear Access to IP Clear DataStream - IPStream

Increments up to 8Mb/s, 2048,

Downstream Bandwidth 2048, 1024, 512, 256kbps 2048, 1024, 512, 256kbps 812kbps
1024, 512, 256kbps

Upstream Bandwidth 256kbps 256kbps up to 812kbps, 512kbps, 256kbps up to 812kbps

Office Contention, with

Contention 1:1 5:1 1:1
voice bandwidth guaranteed

QoS Architecture DiffServe - DSCP DiffServe - DSCP IP Precendence IP Precendence

Classes of Service 6 (EF, AF1-4, DE) 6 (EF, AF1-4, DE) 4 (Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze) 3 (Platinum, Gold & Bronze)

256kbps - 190kbps Platinum

Configurable Voice Traffic1 130kbps EF 30kbps EF 50,100, & 150kbps1
512kbps - 375kbps Platinum

RTP header Compression (cRTP) available no no yes no

Link Fragmentation and Interleaving available2 yes yes yes no2
MLPPP bonding available no no yes no

Maximum concurrent G729 Voice Calls at a

4 1 163 53
30msec sampling rate on a single circuit3

On-Time Delivery, On-Time Delivery,

Service Availability and Service Availability and
Service Level Guarantees Core Performance No SLG Restoration with enhanced Care Restoration with enhanced
option is taken, Care option is taken,
Core Performance Core Performance

Enhanced Care - 4 hour response,

Mandatory Mandatory Optional Optional
24 hour repair target on ADSL

These are the standard product offerings, other bespoke options are available.
1

2
The absence of LFI is minimal in most circumstances as the upstream bandwidth available is up to 812kb/s. Therefore the maximum serialisation delay that can be created by the
largest possible IP packet is 15msec.
NetServices recommendation.
3

Table 8. Technical and Commercial Comparison

NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK 7
alltogether Business Tel: 0870 753 0900 - E-mail: info@netservicesplc.com - Web: www.netservicesplc.com

Summary
The BT provided IP Clear network, although a robust and proven network component for an IP Telephony solution, is cost prohibitive for small
offices. NetServices QoS over DSL product offerings provide systems Integrators and VARs with the ability to deliver more simultaneous voice
calls over an ADSL connection. This ensures that significant savings are achieved in delivering IP Telephony to a small office.

The IP Clear ADSL Plus and Premium services limit the number of simultaneous calls that can be made, to 1 and 4 respectively, and require
expensive leased lines to service any higher number of calls. NetServices use ADSL MAX technology to increase upstream bandwidth. Along
with cRTP and MLPPP features, the number of simultaneous voice calls that an ADSL circuit can deliver is increased. The QoS DSL IPStream
product can deliver up to 5 simultaneous voice calls, and the QoS DSL DataStream product up to 16 simultaneous voice calls.

Using the NetServices DSL based solution ensures that annual recurring savings in excess of 59% are achieved for delivering 2-4 calls, and
savings in excess of 83% can be achieved where 4-16 simultaneous voice calls are required.

By considering a real world scenario it has been possible to show the full commercial benefit of using NetServices QoS over DSL rather than
an IP Clear solution as the network component of an IP Telephony opportunity. In Company A’s scenario an organisation with a high proportion
of small offices, set-up savings of 73% and recurring rental savings of 57% were demonstrated using the NetServices solution rather than the
IP Clear solution.

The use of the NetServices QoS over DSL access products provide a superior technical, service and commercial solution for the network
component required for the delivery of IP Telephony to the small sized offices. When using NetServices network solutions the return on investment
models for IP Telephony solutions are greatly improved, making it far more likely and increasing the likelihood of the service being deployed.

NetServices brings you the alltogether business

NetServices provides integrated networking, voice and hosting solutions that enable businesses to become alltogether more efficient and
alltogether more profitable.

Whilst other network integrators talk about the promise of a converged business, we concentrate on the actual delivery of tangible business
improvement through reliable and proven solutions allied with technological innovation.

Our business proposition is based upon bringing simplicity and increased business performance to our customers and reseller partners.
This is achieved through ‘best in class’ skillsets, a comprehensive product portfolio and an enviable heritage in networking and convergence
technologies.

In effect, we bring it alltogether.

Our customers and reseller partners benefit from:

• Specialist knowledge in complex network specification

• Expertise in voice and converged solutions
• Carrier and vendor independence
• Our own network and data centre infrastructure
• A flexible approach for adaptable and scalable solutions
• Overseas reach through Telefonica
• PRINCE2 certified Project Managers
• Dedicated ITIL best practice trained Service Managers
• Continuous service improvement plan
• Ongoing customer support and assistance
• 24x7 service desk contactable by telephone, email or online portal
• Strict SLAs with regular customer and service reviews

NetServices Plc. Waters Edge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 3EZ, UK 8