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Digitalk launches broadband telephony solution
(Total Telecom)Digitalk launches broadband telephony solution
By Lorraine Turner, Total Telecom
U.K.-based platform and application developer targets 20-to-30 deployments in first six months after product launch.
Digitalk announced Friday the launch of its new broadband telephony product, aiming to capitalise on the growing voice over broadband (VoB) market.
The new application, which sits on Digitalk's Multiservice Platform (MSP), will enable service providers to offer broadband telephony services to both residential and business customers.
Justin Norris, managing director at Digitalk, told Total Telecom that the firm is targeting 20-to-30 deployments over the next six months.
"The operators are interested in getting the product out quickly we're making it simple for our customers," said Norris, adding that the turnkey solution will be operational in a couple of weeks.
Norris denies that free VoIP software, pioneered by the likes of Skype, will harm the market, adding that the Skype business model is largely based around value-added services, which can be recreated for service providers.
"There are ways of making money out of broadband telephony. Vonage only makes money with value-added services, international rates, messaging services etc.," he said.
"[Service providers] need to move with it," said Norris.
But Norris warns that telcos should remain cautious amidst the hype.
"We want to move beyond the hype and we think we've got the solution to deliver sustainable revenues," he added.
The end-to-end solution is supported by an integrated network and service management software suite, as well as integrated billing capabilities. Other features include real-time rating, which reduces fraud and bad debt through prepaid service options.
Digitalk predicts that service providers will see a return on investment within three to six months after having launched the end-to-end solution, with the option to "scale the platform for greater revenue", Norris added.
After the initial 20 to 30 deployments, the U.K.-based firm hopes that it will eventually provide the service to the majority of its 400 clients including tier one and tier two service providers such as BT and C&W, as well as altnets and mobile network operators.
The company is also looking ahead in 2006 to offering enhanced features such as video capabilities, presence-based applications and primary line replacement.
"We are looking at the primary line replacement modelbut our roadmap is inline with regulation," said Norris, referring to regulatory issues such as emergency services.
As part of the company's roadmap, the firm will continue to develop IP telephony applications as well as looking at IP Centrex solutions.
The general environment of convergence and its latest product will enable Digitalk to expand its client base to Internet service providers.
Mark Ashdown, sales and marketing director at Digitalk, told Total Telecom that they have received "good feedback" from ISPs due to the new bundling potential.
"They are looking at voice services to complement data. Packaged with data, it is a very compelling service offering," said Ashdown.
Despite Digitalk's market lying predominantly in Western European countries with a high broadband penetration, businesses in Africa are also looking to broadband enabled devices and "multi-line" network solutions.
"It is an acceptable way or providing a primary line consolidating voice and data," said Ashdown.
Digitalk is involved in a series of interoperability tests with leading vendors and offers both TDM and IP solutions.
The broadband telephony product is in addition to Digitalk's portfolio of SIP and VoIP solutions.
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