The days of competing on price alone are nearing an end. With basic transport and
connectivity becoming more and more commoditized, service providers need to seek out new
revenue generating and customer retaining strategies. Enter enhanced services. Moving
beyond basic functionality like caller ID and call waiting, and towards services such as
one number/follow me, unified messaging, and more, allows carriers to differentiate their
service offerings and set themselves apart from the pack. The quest for a unique identity
and the shift from cost-based competition to value-based competition is likewise driving
the need for enhanced services platforms upon which service providers can create and
deploy new revenue generating customer offerings.
We’ve written about some of the companies that are striving to make creating
enhanced services ever simpler. Vendors like Magellan
Network Systems with their Mariner platform, and Digital
Telecommunications, Inc., (DTI) with their ESP architecture are forging ahead with
their plans to enable the creation of enhanced services. This month, we’ll take a
look at several other companies that are busy making their own way in the market for
enhanced services.
BROADSOFT
Broadsoft’s stated mission is to allow service
providers to rapidly and economically design and deploy Web-enabled communications
services to business and residential customers. The company’s flagship product,
BroadWorks, is a complete system designed to allow Integrated Communications Providers
(ICPs) to offer rich services to their customers. Consisting of several components
including a Web server and a Java-based service creation component, BroadWorks is an open
platform, which allows third-party vendors to create enhanced services.
Running on Sun servers, the solution is an industry
standard, carrier class platform. BroadWorks supports H.323, SIP, MGCP, indeed all major
Internet telephony protocols. User customization such as upgrades, service additions, and
online provisioning are all enabled through the use of a simple Web browser. The
BroadWorks platform also has hooks that allow it to tie in to a variety of other servers,
devices, and resources, including e-mail servers, LDAP directories, billing systems, voice
mail systems, and more. This allows the creation of services that can interact across
multiple devices, such as a wireless paging device or wireless handset that can interact
with a personal information manager, which is tied to a telephone system, which in turn is
tied to the Web.
UBIQUITY
Ubiquity Software Corp is also a player in the race
to offer an enhanced service creation platform. The Helmsman Application Services Creation
Platform (ASCP), the company’s primary product, is made up of three elements: The
Helmsman Server, Helmsman clients, and the Helmsman DesignDeck, an advanced service
creation toolkit based on Java objects.
The Helmsman Server enables connections to be coordinated with network components such
as PBXs, IP PBXs, gatekeepers, call agents, and media gateway controllers. The Server
abstracts and controls a call-processing environment to present a range of service
capabilities to the user. Helmsman DesignDeck is a suite of Java beans designed to enable
new services to be created by service developers. This element of the ASCP enables service
designers to create innovative services and applications that can combine the power of
comprehensive call control with integration and manipulation of multiple media types.
The Helmsman Desktop is an application that resides on a PC. Helmsman Desktop enhances
business processes by embedding outbound and inbound telecommunications services with
standard business applications such as Microsoft Office, ACT!, GoldMine, Netscape, and
Internet Explorer. The package communicates with the server to create a more comprehensive
desktop communications environment.
The newest element of the ASCP is the Helmsman IPConsole — a Java-based
intelligent telephony agent that has been developed specifically for IP Centrex service
deployment. This soft operator console can provide a customer with full call control
capabilities in a distributed VoIP network. Currently scaled to suit the enterprise
market, a forthcoming carrier version is planned to provide space for millions of entries
to suit CLECs and ISPs.
Ubiquity also recently announced that I-Link, an
enhanced voice/data service provider, will use the Helmsman platform to further enhance
its service offering for telephony subscribers. I-Link plans to install Helmsman
technology in its network and customer sites to allow familiar desktop applications like
Microsoft Explorer and Microsoft Outlook to be IP telephony enabled. With Helmsman, I-Link
customers will be able to simply point and click on extensions and phone numbers to make
calls and conduct unified communications over I-Link’s nationally deployed IP
network.
IPERIA
Another player in the enhanced services field is IPeria,
and they have created a software applications platform called the IPeria Service Node. The
software runs on both Windows NT and UNIX, and connects to switches, servers (voice mail,
e-mail), IP-to-PSTN gateways — in effect any element: The IPeria Service Node is
network and device independent. The design of the solution is such that it can scale from
smaller PoP (point of presence) implementations to large-scale carrier and central office
implementations.
Users can access enhanced services such as voice-activated voice e-mail, Internet event
alerting, message consolidation, and voice/fax mail through the use of any device, be it a
wireless handset, landline phone, Web browser, or standard e-mail client. IPeria calls
this single point of access an e@ccount.
IPeria recently announced its ValuEdge Partners Program, which is designed to allow
switching equipment manufacturers and software vendors to resell the Service Node
solutions. The initiative also allows OEMs to begin licensing and integrating the IPeria
software components. The initial partners are Sonus
Networks, Taqua Systems and SALIX Technologies, which was acquired by Tellabs on December 22, 1999.
UNISPHERE SOLUTIONS
Unisphere Solutions recently unveiled the
Service Ready Switch-3000 (SRX-3000), a robust, service creation and delivery platform
designed to allow service providers to simply and cost-effectively integrate converged
voice and multimedia services on cable modem access, xDSL, and next-generation wireless
networks as well as ATM and circuit-switched networks. Bridging the gap between the old
and the new, the SRX-3000 supports both legacy and next-generation interfaces. The
SRX-3000 provides control over IP, ATM, and legacy TDM connections allowing anyto-any
mediation.
This solution addresses an important issue as the next-generation network evolves;
namely that new networks will not displace the traditional circuit-based networks
overnight. It will take time, and most likely we will need to work within the framework of
both networks for the foreseeable future. The SRX-3000 allows for a smooth migration from
today’s networks to offering enhanced services on the packet-based network of
tomorrow.
CONCLUSION
As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve, there is a growing demand from
both service providers and end users alike to gain access to next-generation enhanced
services. The companies mentioned in this article, as well as others involved in this
space, are making tremendous strides to see that enhanced services become as ubiquitous as
dial tone. And the future looks equally bright. The advent of “broadband to the
masses,” wireless connectivity, the general euphoria generated by this market, and of
course, advances on the technology side of the equation, all point to tremendous growth in
the enhanced services market. As always, I invite your feedback (please send e-mail to ggalitzine@tmcnet.com).
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| Services News
Ennovate Announces EnSight
Ennovate Networks announced its EnSight Service Automation System. With
EnSight, network service providers can automatically provision, deploy, and monitor IP
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and related IP WAN services, simplifying a complex and
tedious process. EnSight’s open, distributed platform provides for the scaling of
millions of VPNs through directory enabled management, a standards-based approach for
carrier-class management. EnSight’s suite of management applications and software
tools includes configuration policies, open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and
a browser-based, point-and-click client interface.
No. 540, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Net2Phone Unveils Enhanced Internet Telephony Client
Net2Phone announced the release of its most sophisticated Internet telephony
software, Net2Phone V.10. The Net2Phone V.10 software incorporates advanced digital
technologies for improved sound quality and a variety of additional new features,
including Net2Phone’s free VoicEmail, free PC-to-PC calling, ICQ buddy PC2PC calling,
and PC-to-fax solutions, in addition to the company’s flagship PC-to-phone service.
The new software is free and can be downloaded at www.net2phone.com.
No. 541, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Voyant Releases CleverVoice SDK
Voyant Technologies announced the release of the CleverVoice software
development kit (SDK) for the InnoVox platform, Voyant’s open platform for
intelligent voice applications. The company also released an enhanced version of
ConferenceNow!, the company’s Web-enabled, on-demand voice conferencing application,
which runs on InnoVox delivering greater control to service providers and their customers.
The CleverVoice SDK includes the necessary tools for Internet and telephony service
providers to develop intelligent voice applications — any integrated collaboration
application using voice as the foundation.
No. 542, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Gillette Global Launches VoIP Service
Gillette Global is launching a VoIP platform that will help small- to mid-sized businesses
in New York City and Long Island to save as much as 50 percent off their standard
long-distance telephone service and Internet access costs. Called “Voice Over
Internet Protocol Long Distance” (VoIP LD), the new service utilizes a dedicated,
high-speed, T1 line specially configured to carry outbound VoIP calls. When voice calls
are not being made, the bandwidth is dynamically allocated to handle high-speed data and
Internet access.
No. 543, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Centigram Delivers Next-Gen Unified Communications Products
Centigram Communications announced a comprehensive series of unified
communications products that will usher in a new era of personalized communications.
Leveraging its expertise with voice messaging, Centigram has created advanced systems that
enable the delivery of text-based messages to PCs and other devices. These new products
further the convergence of data network-based content with voice network-based services.
Telecom carriers, network service providers, and Internet content providers throughout
Europe can use Centigram’s new unified communications systems to open new markets and
deliver cutting-edge services.
No. 544, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Mediatrix Releases Adapter And Gateway
Mediatrix Telecom announced that it has released the first product in its
third generation VoIP product line: A one-port terminal adapter and PSTN gateway —
the APA II-1. The APA-II-1 is a telecommunications device that allows a conventional
telephone or G3 fax machine to be connected to an IP-based network. The APA II-1 performs
all IP fax and telephony tasks in one small standalone enclosure and supports all major IP
standards, including H.323, SIP, MGCP, and T.38 IP fax. The APA II-1 is compatible with
all standard IP vocoders, such as G.711, G.723.1, and G.729, and is available with a
variety of options including the ability to be used as a one-port gateway to the PSTN.
No. 545, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Pac-West Telecomm To Offer WebDialog’s Click ’N Call
Service
Pac-West Telecomm announced that it has signed an agreement with WebDialogs
to sell and jointly market WebDialog’s Net-Collaboration Service (NCS) and related
products. The Click ’N Call solution enables Web businesses and visitors to interact
live and share data over the Internet, providing real-time customer service and sales
assistance. WebDialog’s solution creates a collaborative environment for Web
businesses and visitors to interact live and share data over the Internet, turning a
static Web site into an interactive sales and customer support center.
No. 546, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Focal Launches FocaLINC Service
Focal Communications announced FocaLINC, a service designed to provide substantial savings
to customers on local and long-distance calls. Coupled with Focal’s proprietary
billing system and advanced network, FocaLINC service redefines local calling by billing
calls that stay on Focal’s network at unprecedented calling rates. This service
provides discounted local and toll rates for all customer calls made between Focal
customer locations. With FocaLINC, calls placed between the downtown and suburban office
will be billed as a local call instead of a local toll call, resulting in unprecedented
on-net calling rates and customer savings (varies by market).
No. 547, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Portal Targets Data-Over-Wireless Market
Portal Software announced that it has devised a strategic plan to target the
emerging data-over-wireless market. Portal intends to enable wireless carriers and data
service providers to build business infrastructure that supports a new class of mobile
Internet services by: Continuing to expand product functionality specific to the wireless
Internet environment with ongoing technology enhancements; establishing key alliance
partnerships with wireless applications technology vendors and systems integrators;
actively participating in standards organizations to ensure product interoperability and
aggressively targeting strategic accounts to gain market share.
No. 548, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
ScoreBoard And AT&T Tackle Network Growth
ScoreBoard announced an agreement with AT&T to deploy Score-
Board 3.5 throughout its national wireless network. With ScoreBoard, AT&T can address
the need to increase capacity while maintaining an optimal level of service quality at low
cost as the demand for wireless services continues to expand. AT&T will use ScoreBoard
to add more voice paths per cell site, identify best practices to ensure quality
throughout its national network, and lower capital costs by accurately planning network
expansions.
No. 549, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Telstra Launches WAP-Based Personal Internet Service
Telstra has launched telstra.com, an Internet service designed to take the
company and its customers into the next “dot com” millennium. Telstra also
announced that it will enable its customers to use the new services via a Wireless
Application Protocol (WAP) mobile phone, and via the Internet with their PCs. telstra.com
and Telstra’s WAP service will offer customers in Australia a new world of Internet
opportunities through integrated and personalized Internet content and applications.
No. 550, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Level 3 Launches Long-Distance IP Voice Service
Level 3 Communications, Inc. announced commercial availability of its
(3)Voice service. (3)Voice is an enhanced service delivered over Level 3’s end-to-end
Internet Protocol (IP) network that offers customers voice quality indistinguishable from
traditional telephone networks, but with the efficiencies and inherent cost advantages of
IP. (3)Voice requires no change in how end users dial or in the equipment that they use.
The initial rollout will be in major markets across the U.S., and the company plans to
continue to expand to additional markets over the next year.
No. 551, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Broadmedia Announces freeTone
Broadmedia announced the availability of freeTone service, the first monthly
flat-rate telephony service that uses the Internet to dramatically reduce the cost of
international calling for businesses that do not have a private global network. The
freeTone service does not require the use of a PC, and instead provides businesses with
the full functionality of their PBX over the Internet. Already, more than 100 businesses
are using Broadmedia’s freeTone service for unlimited international calls between
Asia and the United States for only $65 a month.
The freeTone service is currently available between Taiwan and California.
No. 552, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Nortel Networks Strengthens Leadership Role In IP Telephony
Nortel Networks strengthened its industry leadership in Internet telephony
solutions when BT’s Spanish subsidiary, BT Tel, announced the first live telephone
calls on one of the world’s largest Internet teleph-
ony networks, supplied by Nortel Networks in under six months. Nortel Networks is
delivering a broad portfolio of next-gen IP telephony solutions to wireless, wireline, and
cable service providers and enterprises in order to simplify voice and Internet access for
businesses and consumers.
No. 553, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
VCON Releases TV-based MediaConnect 6000 Version 2.0
VCON Telecommunications Ltd. announced the release of Version 2.0 of its
TV-based group video conferencing MediaConnect 6000 series. The release will introduce new
industry standards in many areas. Version 2.0 provides unrivalled ease of use, offering
its dual-mode group system (IP and ISDN) with an intuitive new user interface and
sophisticated VoiceFinder technology. Top video and audio quality are achieved by
incorporating VCON’s latest award-winning technologies for the first time in the
MediaConnect 6000 series. VCON has managed to meet popular customer demands, making video
conferencing more natural and versatile while remaining affordable.
No. 554, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Deltathree.com Partners With Yahoo!
Deltathree announced the commencement of a global marketing agreement with
Yahoo!. As part of the agreement, Yahoo! will promote deltathree.com’s Internet
communications services, including PC to phone, through integrated text links, banner
advertisements throughout the Yahoo! network of global properties, special e-mail offers,
and promotions on the Yahoo! front page. In addition, deltathree.com’s technology is
integrated into the Yahoo! Phone Booth, enabling users of the Yahoo! Yellow Pages and
Yahoo! Address Book to click from their PC and initiate a call over the Internet
No. 555, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Eddie Bauer Delivers Service With An E-Smile
Specialty retailer Eddie Bauer announced that it has selected Servicesoft
Technologies eCenter solution suite to deliver customer service on the Web. Using the
E-mail Contact Center component of eCenter, Eddie Bauer can easily manage and monitor the
rising tide of inbound e-mail to improve customer satisfaction. If customers are unable to
find an answer to their question in the eCenter database, they can write Eddie Bauer
directly and receive a response in two to twenty-four hours, depending on the nature of
their question.
No. 556, www.itmag.com/freeinfo |
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