Voice over Internet Protocol is more convenient, reliable, and flexible than older methods of communication. However, like any technical evolution, it comes with challenges to consider. Most importantly, how will you maintain the security of your IP networks? A Session Border Controller or SBC is a device issued in VoIP networks to ensure greater control and security over the media streams and signaling involved with conducting, establishing, and managing calls. SBCs enforce the quality of service for your conversations and maintain security too.
Also, not only are session border controllers like firewalls for VoIP They can also improve the quality of your conversations. Top SBC vendors include Cisco, Ribbon, Oracle, AudioCodes and Metaswitch (part of Microsoft).
What is a Session Border Controller?
SBCs are devices deployed in VoIP networks to give companies greater control over their media streams. The “Session” part refers to the conversation between two parties. Sessions can include multiple media streams, including video, voice, and data.
The term “border” addresses the point of boundaries between various points in a network. For instance, firewalls split the local information from the rest of the inter at the edge of corporate networks. The role of the session border control is to help administrators to manage the safe and secure flow of information across borders.
The “controller” part of the acronym refers to this technology’s influence on the data streams in each session. So, these streams traverse borders between various parts of a network, providing access control, measurement, and data conversion opportunities for the connections they control.
SBCs embed within the media and signaling paths between calling parties in VoIP environments, usually through the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), MGCP, and H.323 protocols. In some cases, to hide network topology, SBCs terminate calls and initiate second branches of conversations to the destination party. This behavior means organizations can control that call information via the SBC. Sometimes, the SBC tech will modify the call control stream in each call.
Session Border Controller Trends
According to market research, the market for Session Border Control solutions is growing drastically, set to be worth $920m by the end of 2026. This gives SBCs a CAGR of around 8.26%. According to experts, the most significant factor driving this growth is the increasing demand for secure corporate data.
SBCs specifically help enterprises to deploy UC more securely, quickly, and efficiently. Here are some of the trends that are leading the way for the SBC marketplace.
1. Increased Focus on Security
The world today is obsessed with security and privacy. SBCs help enterprises have more control over their VoIP environments. In a world where SIP attacks impact enterprise revenue and productivity, companies must ensure that they have end-to-end control.
SBCs can act like a firewall. So, they protect the UC network and defend SIP sessions as they move between endpoints. As enterprises move into more advanced UC networks, their call routing, security, interworking, and network management demands will drive the need for SBCs.
2. Intelligent Control
SBCs don’t just make conversations on a VoIP network more secure; they can also ensure that every business has the optimal route to deliver a call to its final location. So, this call-routing process is becoming increasingly important in the age of customer experience. Intelligent call routing ensures that the right conversation reaches the correct person to boost satisfaction and minimize enterprises expense.
The intelligent control that Session Border Controllers provide even allows for better management of SIP communications through various devices. This gives companies more freedom to use the implementations needed for an upgraded communication strategy.
3. Demand for BYOD
Finally, as the workplace becomes more flexible and mobile, SIP communications traffic will continue to rise, with enterprises adopting BYOD strategies. The BYOD trend will bring additional SIP devices into the ecosystem, which organizations must manage for end-to-end security. The right Session Border Controller solutions will be able to handle the growing traffic needs of transforming businesses and provide them with the tools that they need to support a changing workforce.
Increasingly, vendors are investing in SBC solutions that deliver security and provide the scalability that companies need as they explore different components of their digital transformation roadmap.
4. Demand for BYOC
The surge in remote and hybrid working over the past two years has forced businesses to adopt cloud-based collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Now, as they return to their offices, they’re looking for ways to connect these new platforms with their older telephony technology.
- What is Zoom Phone Provider Exchange?
- Microsoft Operator Connect vs Direct Routing
- Top SBC Providers for Microsoft Teams Voice
SBCs can play a role in directing legacy phone traffic into platforms such as Teams and Zoom, letting organizations retain their existing telephony and phone numbers while still benefiting from the power of the cloud.
With solutions like Operator Connect, we’ll see the ownership of the SBC transfer from the end customer or a services partner to the carrier itself.
Session Border Controller Statistics
VoIP communication is more popular than ever, and companies of all shapes and sizes need a complete solution to manage the security and quality of their connections. As a result, the demand for SBCs will continue to grow. It’s no wonder the market will grow to an incredible $920m by the end of 2026. This is alongside a compound annual growth rate of 4.55 percent between 2020 and 2027.
