Softswitches and media gateways generated $1.35 bln in 2004

Softswitches and media gateways remain the focal point for next-generation switching. But the definitions and boundaries of this class of network equipment to some extent remain in a state of flux as the roles of other critical network elements such as session border controllers and application servers become revised under new architectures such as IMS. Softswitch and media gateway sales are projected to grow from $1.35 bln in 2004 to $9.27 bln in 2009, effectively surpassing total revenue for legacy switches in that year.