UK-based Magrathea Telecommunications Ltd. announced today that they would be the first network operator to be able to offer countrywide coverage of UK geographic numbering to their Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP - define - news - alert) service providers.
This offering would enable consumers choosing their VoIP service from one of Magrathea's partners to obtain a telephone number similar to that of their existing BT or cable supplied service.
Magrathea worked closely in a lengthy consultation period with OFCOM, a British telecom regulator, after which it was decided that geographic numbers could be made available for new voice services. “We firmly believe that this was the only way forward to allow VoIP retailers to offer a truly competitive service to the traditional telephone network,” says Linus Surguy, Magrathea’s technical director.
The telecom company offers wholesale call termination services which route VoIP traffic to the PSTN using only direct TDM/E1 routes. Magrathea also offers call origination services by acting as a gateway from the PSTN for the traffic, giving customers UK numbering from geographic numbering, 0870 to premium rate, delivering it either direct to clients or to an IP switch.
As one of the founding members of ITSPA (the Internet Telephony Service Providers Association), Magrathea has been standing out as a wholesale services provider. “With the additional numbering available to complement our already comprehensive offering, we aim to continue to be the first-choice provider for wholesale VoIP services,” added Surguy.
| Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was
assistant editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She
can be reached by e-mail at jtorres@tmcnet.com. |
|
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[December 6, 2004]
