[August 26, 2004]

Cable Meets Sprint to VoIP

BY JOHANNE TORRES

In speedy efforts to enter into the VoIP market, U.S. cable operator Mediacom Communications Corporation (news � alert - quote), partnered with Sprint (news � alert - quote), enabling the company to provide a voice-video-data triple play, including IP telephony services and more within their market reach of about 2.7 million homes in 23 states. 

The cable company will use its fiber-rich, advanced digital network and its residential wiring matched with Sprint�s telecommunications infrastructure adding voice over IP (VoIP) (define - news - alert - tutorial) telephone service to Mediacom�s existing broadband products and services. The companies are planning to launch all-in-one service bundle by early next year.  

Mediacom�s Chairman and CEO, Rocco B. Commisso said that �Consumers switching to the Mediacom telephone service will be able to keep their existing phone numbers and directory listings, utilize the telephone equipment and wiring already in their homes, and receive more advanced features than traditional telephone service. With this agreement in place, we also have the opportunity to explore offering Sprint wireless phone service to our customers.�  

As others, this new VoIP service plan will offer standard traditional telephone features like call waiting, call forwarding, caller ID with name and voicemail, along with the VoIP enhanced capabilities. Under the agreement, Sprint is to aid Mediacom with provisioning capabilities, switching and termination of traffic to the PSTN, delivery of Enhanced 911, or �E911,� (define - news - alert) services, local number portability, and operator and directory services.  

This agreement follows the move another traditional telecom giant, AT&T (news - alert - quote) made when it recently announced key partnerships with cable operators nationwide. Sprint announced other agreements with large multi-system operators as well as regional cable companies enabling them to deliver other telephony services to customers.