Chorus launched its ATA Voice service in 2011 based on proprietary technology of the time, a service newer ONTs struggle to support technically. We have since developed an RGW Voice service, using the newer ONT’s RGW Function. The RGW Voice service also uses the ONT ATA port.

What’s happening?

Before continuing development of future voice services, we sought the view of the industry on what they saw as the future of voice. We have combined feedback from these sessions with ONT technology trends and come up with several recommendations on future voice services.

The details 

Currently, RGW Voice is only available with the RGW + Wi-Fi service. The paper proposes that RGW Voice is also made available as:

• As an alternative to ATA Voice on applicable Bitstream Offers on Gen 3/4 ONTs; and
• As the only voice option on standard Primary (bridged) Bitstream Offers on Hyperfibre and future GPON ONTs.

Although voice is increasingly moving to over-the-top solutions, Chorus expects demand for a Fibre Voice service to continue for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Chorus is contractually required to offer such an ATA based service, a requirement that continues into new regulatory environment with voice one of the anchor services.

The paper recommends that:

• ATA Voice is constrained to Generation 1 - 4 Standard ONTs;
• RGW Voice is available on Gen 3, Gen 4, Hyperfibre ONTs, and future GPON/Hyperfibre standard ONTs;
• RGW Voice is enhanced to optionally support separate Voice & Data OVCs;
• Service Providers who want to offer voice to a customer that currently has a Hyperfibre or future ONT will need to either:
  - Onboard RGW Voice; or
  - Request an ONT downgrade to a Gen 2/3/4 ONT (3/4 being preferred, then 2)

Next steps

We now seek Industry feedback on these recommendations for future voice services.

Contact

Please provide your feedback to Peter Coleman or Nick Jensen or contact your Chorus Account team.