TORONTO-Verizon Communications Inc. said it is testing Nortel Networks Ltd.’s Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystems solution. Nortel said the carrier is looking for IMS-compliant solutions in order to converge voice, video and multimedia services.
Nortel said it’s confident that Verizon’s lab evaluation will demonstrate IMS interoperability in a multi-vendor environment, along with full support for voice services over fiber to the premise.
As Verizon’s largest softswitch vendor, Nortel noted that its Communications Server 2 is part of the backbone of Verizon’s nationwide packet network, controlling more than 3.8 million packet and trunk line ports. In addition, Nortel said that as Voice over Internet Protocol is introduced into local service networks, Verizon will be able to offer network-based services that enhance mobility.
“Verizon, which has been using Nortel’s softswitch since 2001, is now beginning its evaluation of IMS compliant solutions in order to converge voice, video and multimedia services using globally standardized protocols and architecture,” said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Verizon. “We are looking for open, standards-based solutions that will support rapid development of new innovative services to increase customer retention and attract new subscribers.”
Nortel explained that IMS is a standards-based architecture designed to allow service providers and operators to provide a broad range of Session Initiation Protocol-based services across packet or switched networks to any customer, fixed or wireless.
“We know precisely what this emerging market needs,” said Allan Stoddard, general manager of Carrier Multimedia Networks at Nortel. “We have designed our VoIP systems to easily transition to IMS, and all of our call servers provide IP Multimedia and SIP Call Session Control.”
Interestingly, Lucent Technologies Inc. recently announced deals to supply IMS architecture to both BellSouth Corp. and Cingular Wireless L.L.C.. BellSouth controls 40 percent of Cingular.
