Article

Key Differences between Class 4 and Class 5 Softswitch

Written by Sandip Patel

Topic: SoftwarePublished June 17, 2021
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The credit goes to the VoIP industry for revolutionizing business communication and helping them in finding several new growth opportunities. Thanks to the technological advancements that uplifted both VoIP and communication industry.

According to data, the global market size of VoIP will reach up to $ 55 billion by 2025. The growth of VoIP minimized the issue of connectivity. It lets entrepreneurs and professionals connect from anywhere and anytime.

While talking about VoIP, it’s impossible to forget about Softswitch, which is considered to be the backbone of the entire network. In the VoIP network, Softswitch functions as a software-based device that is responsible for managing routing calls and voice traffic.

Class 4 and Class 5 are two important switches that perform different works. The first is concerned about routing calls between various call suppliers and the latter helps suppliers connect with their clients.

Differences Between Class 4 and Class 5 Switchr
Since Class 4 and Class 5 switches are responsible for performing different tasks, these are different in terms of features and their working areas. Let’s discuss here the top differences between these two switches.

Features
While we talk about differences betwee
Class 4 and Class 5 switches, it’s good to start from features.

Class 5 is known to have user-centric features that are mentioned as follows;

Call center servicer
Social media usabilityr
Billing interfacer
IVR
Calling featuresr
QoSr
Call authenticationr
Callbackr
Support for Codecr
Analog-to-digital conversionr

Class 4 Switch, on the other hand, is blessed with mainly VoIP service provider-based features that include;

Concurrent callsr
Protocol support & conversionr
Intelligent calls routingr
Secured firewallr
Easy to use and simple interfacer
Servicesr
As far as services are concerned, the Class 5 Switch serves as a handy retail solution. Besides, it also serves as an exchange in the PSTN, which is responsible for catering to the end-users and located at the local telephone center.

On the contrary, the Class 4 switch serves as a wholesale solution. It is a central office telephone exchange, which interconnects various local exchange carrier offices, to establish communication for a long distance in PSTN.

Purpose
Class 5 Switch serves the main purpose of routing domestic calls (local/STD) in the same country, state or city. Class 4, on the other hand, is used for international calls.

Routing Area
If we talk about Class 4, it tends to route a large number of long-distance VoIP calls across different networks. Whereas Class 5 routes SEIP or IP address or a Direct Inward Dialing (DID) number of target users.

Capacity
Class 5 switch transfers only a limited number of calls whereas class 4 transfers a large number of calls.

Customers
Class 5 Switch caters to serve both end-users and also VoIP service providers. And Class 4 serves carriers, wholesale VoIP solution providers, Telco operators, and others.

Conclusion
So, above are some differences betwee
Class 4 Switch and Class 5 Switch. These are the most important switches that are highly important for providing a seamless communication between different enterprises across the country.

Article author

About the Author

Author works as BDE at Vindaloo VoIP Solutions (VSPL) since 2016. Sandip has 10+ years of work experience in VoIP Software Development Industry. VSPL is VoIP software development and solutions provider that offers FreeSWITCH, Kamailio, OpenSIP, WebRTC and Asterisk Development.