Q. Compare in-channel signalling with common channel signalling?
Network wide signalling also involves end to end signalling between originating exchange and the terminating exchange. Such a form of signalling is known as line signalling. CCS doesn't use the speech or the data path for signalling. It employs a separate common channel for passing control signals for a group of trunks or information.
| In   Channel | Common   Channel | 
| Trunks are held up   during signalling. | Trunks aren't   required for Signalling | 
| Signal repertoire is limited. | Extensive signal   repertoire is possible. | 
| Interference between   voice and Control signals may occur. | No interference as   the two Channels are physically separate. | 
| Separate signalling | Only one set of   signalling | 
| Equipment is needed for   each trunk and thus expensive. | equipments is essential   for a whole group of trunk Circuits and hence CCS is economical | 
| Voice channel being   the control channel, there is a possibility of potential misuse by the   customers. | Control Channel is in   general in accessible to users. | 
| Signalling is   comparatively slow. | Signalling is   significantly fast. | 
| It is difficult to   change or add signals.   | There is flexibility   to change or add signals. | 
| It is difficult to   handle signalling during speech period. | Signals during   speech. There is freedom to handle | 
| Reliability of   signalling path is not Critical. | Reliability of the   signalling Path is critical. | 
| Speech circuit   reliability is assured. | There is no automatic   test of speech circuit. | 
| Common channel   signalling is better than In-channel signalling. |