Saying it’s finally paved a way for operators to offer consumers a “complete digital package,” an IP communications infrastructure company today is unveiling a voice solution that leverages WiMax to meet the goals of mobile broadband networks.

 

Officials from Westford, Massachusetts-based Sonus Networks (News - Alert) say their solution, “Sonus WiMAX,” will prepare operators for the future with 4G networks, including mobile interactive multimedia services.

 

In an interview with TMCnet, Michael Rubin, the head of Sonus’ wireline business, said the company’s goals have evolved naturally to developing wireless solutions that integrate telephony networks while taking advantage of WiMax’s power.

 

“We have an opportunity to apply Sonus technology to the challenges of adding voice services on top of WiMax-based data services in some parts of the world,” Rubin told TMCnet. “Now that WiMax is starting to take hold, carriers are looking for ways they can add on additional services beyond the data Internet-type services. Now various entities are looking to add on voice services, or they’re looking to go into business with a combination of data and voice, so that leads us to the importance of this market, and to our discussion now about bringing the Sonus solution to bear on this.”

 

Specifically, Sonus officials say, the company’s voice architecture combines its IP-voice technology and the so-called “Sonus Activator.”

 

Sonus officials say their WiMAX (News - Alert) solution leverages the IEEE 802.16 WiMAX standard that delivers wireless last mile access for fixed broadband services, similar to DSL or cable modem service.  The solution includes Sonus ASX, GSX (News - Alert), PSX, EMS, NBS and Activator – technologies that the company says already have been proven in operators’ networks worldwide.

 

As they look to peddle their solution to network operators around the world, Sonus officials are citing industry data that backs up Rubin’s statement about WiMax technology “taking hold” in an area historically dominated by local incumbents.

 

According to Infonetics Research (News - Alert), there were more than 2 million WiMax subscribers on Earth at the end of last year.

 

Richard Webb, the market research firm’s directing analyst of WiMax, WiFi and mobile devices, says that number could grow to nearly 80 million by the end of 2010 – a bold 4000 percent increase.

 

“The ability to add a toll quality voice service to the operators’ service increases the likelihood that operators will experience even further acceleration,” Webb said. “In more mature economies, voice-based WiMAX services could significantly change the winners and losers in the region. Sonus’ entrance into the market is a positive change for carriers.”

 

Sonus officials are palpably excited about the launch of their solution.

 

Saying people and businesses demand more and more services and higher and higher bandwidth speeds from their operators, Sonus officials are touting their solution as one that will deliver everything customers are used to receiving through traditional fixed-line networks, but with the advantages of IP.

 

Many of those businesses that have adopted WiMax never even had a voice solution in the past, according to Rubin, or outsourced a voice solution on a small, experimental scale.

 

“So, as such, these companies are looking for an ‘end-to-end’ solution,” Rubin said. “And Sonus is unique here. We are bringing our solution to bear immediately on the WiMax world, driven by that observation that there’s a need for a full solution.”