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The Voice Peering Fabric, run by Stealth Communications, now offers what it calls “functional separation” — making exchange services available using the public Internet. Calls now can be routed using the VPF exchange, the public Internet or any other user-defined transmission method. That’s according to Shirhari Pandit, Stealth Communications CEO.

 

In the ENUM (phone number mapping) registry, virtual partitions now can be created by groups of users and affiliated companies, creating group-specific exchanges for routing calls. Enterprises can use the method to connect their branch offices. User groups can use the technique to create voice mashups.

 

In essence, virtual VPF exchanges now can be created, much as Facebook (News - Alert) users can create special groups. Groups can be as open or as private as group initiators desire.

 

"It is flexible and allows you to do whatever you want," Pandit said. "We decided to open up the exhange and let people do what they want to do; defining their groups, policies and transmission rules."

 

Users can join multiple peering groups, and sequence the look-up order for least cost routing, for example. This still is available free for all VPF members. It allows peer-to-peer communications, not simply transit relationships, and is transmission path agnostic, Pandit said. "We are just scratching the surface of what is possible."

 

The logical candidates are application providers who are in the business of providing voice and communication services using HTML or Web venues.

 

Also, VPF is creating an automated trading platform that reduces the amount of money, and the amount of time, required to buy and sell minutes and routes. Suppliers can publish their routes and prices, in any detail they wish.

 

The exchange will operate commission free, without contracts, Pandit said: "The idea is to streamline the order-to-cash process for members."

 

Custom routing rules can be set automatically inside the exchange. In order words, a member can select routes, and the priority for use of such routes, on cost, quality or any other user-defined metrics, he said.

 

The trading platform also handles the settlement and clearing. The 100 million Voxbone (News - Alert) +833 numbers now are accessible using the new exchange feature.

 

Some people will wonder what the business model is. It's the equivalent of PayPal. Stealth is the banker and makes money on the float.

 

Separately, Stealth revealed that Reliance Globalcom (News - Alert) now is on-network at the VPF as part of the trading platform. This means a VoIP provider can send traffic directly to Reliance numbers, with no transit cost, from 50 countries.

 

There also is a new billing structure: there is no need to nail up whole circuits. Partners can buy and use minutes directly. VPF membership also will be marketed to Reliance business partners.

 

Among the other changes, where the VPF has concentrated on North America; now it is global peering federation. Reliance also is giving people transport into the fabric without charge. They make their money on minutes so the transport is free.