Network Announcements

Operators provide basic communication to their subscribers via information tones, voice prompts and announcements, collectively known as network announcements, via an announcement server.

Value-added services are often extended to subscribers as custom local area signaling services (CLASS) to create subscriber ‘stickiness’ and generate extra revenues.

Class services include:

• Call screening – subscriber list of blacklisted numbers that are told subscriber is not accepting calls.
• Selective call screening – caller gives name and subscriber has the choice to reject the call
• Automated call forwarding to another phone for all or selected incoming numbers
• Call return to ring back missed calls
• Voicemail services

Thinking that next-generation IP networks would quickly take over from TDM networks, many operators have delayed upgrading their TDM network announcement servers while suppliers have end-of-life’d their TDM announcement server offerings.

Telesoft Technologies offers two products for operators and application developers to develop these 3rd party applications:

1: OKEFORD Announcement Server
The OKEFORD Announcement Server provides the perfect replacement platform for CLASS and network announcements. A natural upgrade path and offering compatibility with widely-deployed Cognitronics McIAS and CX Series platforms, it incorporates the same expanded announcement software module (EASM) as Congnitronics units to offer a familiar look and feel to subscribers and operators alike. It allows operators to replace or expand network announcement services without major changes to their network. T1 Interfaces provide robbed-bit CAS (channel associated signaling) support, commonly found in traditional North American telephony networks along with CLASS service support.

Operators may upgrade the OKEFORD Announcement Server to an OKEFORD Media Platform enabling it to interface with a next-generation IP network when the need arises, ensuring investments can be utilised to the full.

Learn more about the OKEFORD Announcement Server.


2: OKEFORD Media Platform
The OKEFORD Media Platform not only supports TDM networks but also PacketCable and next-generation IP networks. This product is ideal for operators needing a broader variety of media and signaling interfaces. It incorporates a VoiceXML interpreter to enable fast customisation and deployment of new voice services.

Learn more about the OKEFORD Media Platform.


Whether TDM or IP network, the network announcement services offered by the OKEFORD family will continue to be a key differentiator for operators, providing subscribers differentiating services that will reduce churn and increase network revenue.