Opal Networks

Network

Our Network - Key Facts

• A well developed, UK wide, economic SDH/TDM network.
• 14 exchanges, over 700 interconnects.
• Switches 67 million minutes/day; over 2 billion minutes/month.
• 2 million residential and 150,000 B2B end users.
• 500,000 TalkTalk Broadband customers.
• Delivers CPS, IDA, WLR, Broadband and value-added services.

Next Generation Network

Why build a new network? Our investment into a new network will mean additional flexibility and substantially reduced operational costs, giving our wholesale partners and end users greater pricing flexibility and broader product portfolios.

Opal Network’s Mission

We aim to be the UK’s clear alternative to BT, providing Carriers and Service Providers with an economic and innovative range of wholesale communication solutions.

What is a Next Generation Network?

It is a unified voice and data network which transforms all calls into Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Calls are divided into "packets" of data that travel separately over the IP network but arrive at the right destination in the right order. Multi Service Access Nodes (MSANs) in the exchange support both PSTN on the copper loop and ADSL2+. The packets are switched in the network using soft switch technology and backhauled using Ethernet, supporting MPLS for voice prioritisation. Class 4 and 5 services are supported.

Why is Opal’s NGN more efficient?

SMPF or (F) MPF? Most of our competitors are using SMPF - partial unbundling - to implement their LLU strategy. This limits them to providing broadband services only. If they want to have a voice service, they are compelled to use VoIP terminals or CPS. The limitations are obvious - your customers will not want to buy additional VoIP-friendly telephones/headsets, nor will they want to go on receiving two bills - one for broadband, one for voice. Opal’s (F) MPF strategy - or full unbundling - enables us to accept calls in whatever format your customers send them - standard analogue voice, data or VoIP - relieving you of the need to ensure compatibility. A single bill will cover both voice and broadband.

Single, Double, Triple or Quadruple Play?

Offering a broadband only service (single play) was never an option for Opal. Our intention was to offer a true voice and data bundled (double play) solution. In the coming years, we’re looking ahead to offer “triple play” (including mobile services) and "quadruple play" (IPTV and VoD).

DSLAMs or MSANs?

Currently many LLUOs are fitting DSLAMs into BT exchanges. This equipment only allows "single play" or broadband only services. They are not able to offer voice as a bundled proposition without using VoIP or CPS.  Opal only fit MSANs into BT exchanges which means we accept both voice and data onto our network, whatever format it arrives in.