AllIP

All-IP is a networking paradigm in which all telecommunications services—voice, video, data, and messaging—are carried over a single IP-based network rather than separate circuit-switched paths. It is used in both fixed and mobile networks and is sometimes called an all-IP network or converged IP network.

In practice, All-IP relies on packet-switched transport, standardized protocols such as IP, SIP, and often the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and other NGN elements to deliver services. Voice calls use VoIP (Voice over IP), while video and messaging are carried in the same internet protocol flow. Mobile networks from 4G onward are designed as all-IP, with voice carried by VoLTE and later VoNR in 5G.

The concept emerged with the decline of the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the rise of broadband and IP-based core networks. The goal is to simplify network architecture, enable faster service innovation, and reduce operating costs by consolidating transport for multiple services.

Benefits include simplified networks, scalable infrastructure, better resource utilization, and easier integration of multimedia services. Challenges include ensuring Quality of Service (QoS), security and privacy, reliability for emergency calls, interoperability between vendors, and the investment required for migration from legacy systems.

All-IP has been adopted progressively worldwide as operators replace circuit-switched cores with IP-based cores and deploy IP access networks (fiber, xDSL, mobile). The transition involves regulatory considerations and compatibility with consumers and emergency services. See also NGN, VoIP, SIP, and IMS.