Solutions : Network & Technology Overview

How Does It Work?

Our routing/billing and back office software platform. Interlink Global utilizes a combination of proprietary and purchased call routing/and billing software.
All software platforms are redundant as well as distributed so as to provide the highest levels of security as well as availability under the most sever of conditions. We currently have complete platform redundancy in each of our network operational centers (NOC) in Miami Florida, USA, Caracas, Venezuela, and Barranquilla, Colombia. Additionally, each NOC will automatically assume control and command of any or all of the other NOS’s should they fail for any reason.

In order to have a clear understanding of how this works, it is important to understand how a call is made as described below:

Anatomy of an InterLink Telephone Call
It is easiest to conceptualize InterLink's network by following a call from residential end-user using an ATA through our network to the call recipient.
First, a new InterLink subscriber receives an analog telephone adapter (ATA), a small hardware device which he plugs into his cable/DSL modem (or router which is connected thereto). He next plugs his existing analog telephone into the ATA. Alternatively, he can plug the ATA into his home phone line for service throughout the house. This experience is "plug and play" because his account information and configuration options are already stored in the ATA firmware. Therefore, as soon as the subscriber picks up the telephone handset, he hears a dial tone and dials the recipient’s number.

At InterLink’s network operations center, an InterLink signaling/account management (proxy) server examines the number dialed to determine if it is to another InterLink subscriber. If the recipient is a InterLink subscriber, the proxy server directs the caller’s ATA box to the recipient’s ATA box; the Internet is employed from end-to-end. No further intervention occurs by InterLink other than an accounting for a total number of minutes used on-Net.

If the subscriber is calling to a non-InterLink number, the proxy server passes the call request to InterLink’s outbound routing server which processes the call packets for transit via the PSTN network along a least cost route identified by InterLink’s LCR coordinating server. The third party company which successfully bid the least cost route for that telephone call operates a trunking gateway which terminates the call on the PSTN network to the call recipient. After the call is completed, the InterLink Proxy server disconnects the third party gateway and notifies the InterLink billing server to charge the customer’s account.

Now, keeping in mind the process of how a call is made as described above, it should also be pointed out that the call set up and billing system keeps detailed records of each and every call (CDR’s). This works with single line customer as well as multiline customer, resellers, calling card customers, and even with wholesale customers. The platform allows for discrimination in sell pricing as well as cost pricing down to each individual line if necessary. This entire system can roll over from one NOC to another in case of single NOC failure. In the case a communications link between NOC’s is a point of failure, then the NOC that is isolated, will continue to work in autonomous mode until such time as the primary link is reestablished. Once reestablishment of the link between NOC’s is realized, the billing systems will replicate their data bases with each other, thus assuring backup integrity.

The billing software is capable of being segmented an infinite number of times, thus allowing us to provide firewalled divisions of the system that each of our resellers/customers can have access to on a pre-assigned bases. This, in turn, allows each reseller/customer to have the same control as described above for their own customer base.

As well, we have a north bound interface from our billing system to our accounting software that allows us to have continuous input into accounting of not only revenue, but, cost as well.

In order to run a full-service telecommunications company with a modest number of personnel, we have developed a reporting system which permits our executives to manage the company by exception. The system displays a variety of service metrics including subscribers, call volume, cost of termination, and dissection of volume by service packages, destination, sales partner, etc. More importantly, the reports display trends so executives can measure progress towards targeted levels.

Facilities based provider: As a hosted VOIP company, Interlink owns its infrastructure and is not dependent on third party providers that can reduce reliability and compress margins.

• The company owns a nation wide microwave backbone network in Venezuela, with a Network Operational Center in Caracas Venezuela.
• The company has microwave frequency spectrum licenses for the network is operates in Venezuela
• The company owns a WiFi/WiMax network that covers more than 90 percent of the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, with a WiMax radio backhaul, and Network Operational Center in the City Of Barranquilla.
• The company owns the frequency spectrum licenses for the WiMax backhaul in Colombia.
• The Company owns a class 5 TDM, H323, and VOIP Switching center in Miami with a 30 Satellite earth station, and Network Operations Center in North Miami Florida. The Satellite earth station provides communications and data access to remote areas of the world.
  
  Reliability and Scalability
  With our three Network Operations Centers (NOC’s) located in three distinct countries, each with power backup, we are able to attain the five 9s of reliability (99.999% uptime).
  
  To insure against network downtime due to the physical failure or operational overloading of one of our servers in any one facility, we maintain redundant servers, which operate as a cluster, at each network operations center. Server operations are load-balanced. Unresponsive servers are prevented from paralyzing network operations. This entire system can roll over from one NOC to another in case of single NOC failure. In the case a communications link between NOC’s is a point of failure, then the NOC that is isolated, will continue to work in autonomous mode until such time as the primary link is reestablished. Once reestablishment of the link between NOC’s is realized, the billing systems will replicate their data bases with each other, thus assuring backup integrity.
  
  Physical Security and Environmental Element Protection
  Our facility has extensive security including:
• Centrally located, 24x7 manned Command Center to monitor cameras;
• Guarded access to all facilities including building entrances and roof area.
  
  We have accounted for a number of emergency situations as follows:
• We have environmental sensors (e.g., for temperature, smoke, humidity, and fuel) to notify InterLink and mobilize rescue;
• We have 168- hours of back-up power generation and redundant electrical feeds;
  
  Network Security
  InterLink’s has taken measures to minimize the efficacy of Denial of Service attacks, to prevent inter-provider routing corruption, and to deter unauthorized traffic. All administration of InterLink’s servers occurs over encrypted connections only by authorized technicians.
  
  Call Fraud Detection
  Encrypted caller authentication significantly reduces the possibility of call fraud. We have processes in place to examine statistical anomalies in billing processes. Moreover, end users can self-police their billing records via our web-based account management system.
  
  Web based Services
  Our web site forms the “face” of InterLink to our customers and partners and our primary means of holding costs in check by automating business processes. Some of those business processes will include:

Retail Customer Prospecting : business and residential customers can learn more about InterLink's rates and features as well as the prerequisites for our service. In geographic regions where we have partnerships with HSD access network operators, we can funnel installation requests to HSD network operators.

Customer Support: business and residential customers have real-time access to their billing records, the ability to change their account configuration (i.e. call forwarding), the ability to add or subtract service features, the ability to see a history of incoming and outgoing calls, the ability to manage their voice mail, and the ability to troubleshoot common problems. Business customers have enterprise administration tools to add or subtract users and telephone lines and numbers. All customers have the ability to file a trouble ticket with customer support.

Wholesale Customer Support: wholesale customers have the ability to manage their end users’ accounts and to monitor their total volume.

Procurement: supply chain partners can monitor CPE equipment forecasts so as to better facilitate JIT ordering.

Competitive Edges Based on Technical Advantages
InterLink is singularly focused on the Latin American market. It possesses all the competitive edges that broadband telephony providers have over incumbent telecommunication companies.

Our least cost routing (“LCR”) auctioning network.
Interlink has negotiated some of the lowest prices to terminate its traffic in the world, while maintaining high quality. Nevertheless we realize that routes do fail even if it is via one of the big telephone operators. Therefore, we have established several toll- grade price competitive voice quality routes to our “most contracted” destinations. In case of failure or even degradation in quality, our system will automatically switch to another route, while maintaining the primary goal of connecting to least costly route available. When the primary route is once again in service, the route will automatically switch back.