In its widest sense, voice switching, control and applications (VSCA) refers to the functions performed in a network that alter the path taken by information as it traverses that network, whether in real time or near real time. In this sense, switching includes packet-routing technologies (for example, Internet Protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and frame relay). The markets tracked in the switching category include well-known ones, such as softswitches, call session control function (CSCF), application servers and media gateways.