MCI service plans focus on convergence

LAS VEGAS - MCI, formerly WorldCom, launched its product strategy called Convergence Networking at NetWorld+Interop last week. The company is planning a series of product rollouts that center on voice and data convergence and managed services.

One of the carrier's first initiatives, currently under way, includes the deployment of Secure Interworking Gateways (SIG) throughout its data networks. MCI hinted about this last month when it filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan and announced its name change.

MCI is using the gateways to roll out a service called IP VPN Remote.

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LAS VEGAS - MCI, formerly WorldCom, launched its product strategy called Convergence Networking at NetWorld+Interop last week. The company is planning a series of product rollouts that center on voice and data convergence and managed services.

One of the carrier's first initiatives, currently under way, includes the deployment of Secure Interworking Gateways (SIG) throughout its data networks. MCI hinted about this last month when it filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan and announced its name change.

MCI is using the gateways to roll out a service called IP VPN Remote.

"The service will be available in three phases beginning in June, October and November," says Ron McMurtrie, vice president of global marketing.

The first phase will allow customers to support dial-in access within MCI's network rather than at the customer premises. Today users who access their corporate VPN via a dial-up connection to the Internet are authenticated on a Nortel Contivity device that is deployed at a customer site. Users will be able to eliminate the cost of maintaining and upgrading that device with MCI's SIG deployment. Customers that wish not to upgrade to the SIG-supported service can continue to use the Nortel device to support dial-in VPN users.

"The second and third phases address how the [data] networks get glued together," McMurtrie says.

In its second phase, MCI will interconnect its frame relay and Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) IP network where it supports its Private IP and IP VPN services, respectively. The third phase will include interconnecting its remaining data networks including ATM, private line and public IP. By interconnecting its various data networks, MCI customers should expect greater flexibility when deploying and supporting VPNs, he says.

The carrier would not reveal which device it is using to interconnect its data networks, but says later this month it will make an announcement about that vendor.

MCI says it will enhance its MCI Advantage voice and data convergence service. This is not a new offering, but one that's been renamed a couple of times. It was most recently called WorldCom Connection.

The service lets users support enterprise voice and data traffic over the same network. Today, the service is available in conjunction with MCI's IP and frame relay services. In July, the carrier is expected to make MCI Advantage available to Private IP customers.

The service provider also is expanding the reach of its offering. MCI Advantage is anticipated to be available throughout Europe later this year. The offering is available only in the U.S. now.

And while MCI's long-term relationship with subsidiary Digex remains unclear, the carrier says managed hosting services are an integral part of its product strategy. CEO Michael Capellas said last month that MCI is trying to work out "ownership" issues that pertain to the subsidiary. In the meantime the carrier is moving forward with its hosting service plans.