In a move that will create “one of the largest managed service local exchange carriers in the nation,” officials with two Calif.-based companies announced yesterday their intentions to merge.

The deal, the price tag (News - Alert) for which (News - Alert)has not been disclosed, will combine Covad, a national provider of IP broadband services, and MegaPath (News - Alert), a managed IP data, voice and security services provider.

Together, the partners, which offer Ethernet, DSL, T1, security, VPN, security and voice and Internet services so, according to company officials, they will create the largest Ethernet, DSL and T1 footprint in North America

 John Croce, CEO of Phybridge (News - Alert)Inc., told TMCnet that he expects the merger to “help stimulate VoIP and UC implementations.”

 “Many incumbent carriers are reluctant to introduce VoIP solutions to their clients because of potential problems and decreasing revenues,' Croce said. 'A new entity that is committed to VoIP solutions will be good for end-users and will accelerate the adoption of VoIP/UC.'

Phybridge is an Ontario-based provider of IP telephony and networking infrastructure solutions.  

The company’s “UniPhyer,” is a VoIP enabler that allows businesses to run IP telephony using power over Ethernet and removing the need to have an optimized converged network – making it possible to have VoIP and UC at a fraction of the cost, and without any business or network disruptions.

In addition to stimulating VoIP and UC implementations, Croce told TMCnet the company is looking forward to partnering with this new merger and also support the adoption of VoIP and Unified Communications (News - Alert).

Stefania Viscusi is an assignment editor for TMCnet, covering voice and Voice over IP technologies. She also oversees production of TMCnet's e-Newsletters in the areas of Internet telephony and speech technology. To read more of Stefania's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Stefania Viscusi