In speedy efforts to enter into the VoIP market, U.S. cable operator
Mediacom Communications Corporation (news
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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
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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
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directory services.
This agreement
follows the move another traditional telecom giant,
AT&T (news
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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.
Johanne Torres is the Assistant Editor for
TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was
the Assistant Editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She
can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]. |
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