Carriers gussy up VoIP

Users anticipate voice services for teleworkers.

AT&T last week announced its VoIP plans for the year, saying it will integrate VoIP into all its data services, roll out new voice applications and offer VoIP services throughout its local markets.

The company is among a handful of carriers developing their VoIP offerings. BellSouth, Global Crossing MCI, Savvis Communications and Sprint also are readying offerings.

"We are accelerating our VoIP plans based on what we're learning from our customers and what they're asking us for," says AT&T's Pat Traynor, vice president of network integration.

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AT&T last week announced its VoIP plans for the year, saying it will integrate VoIP into all its data services, roll out new voice applications and offer VoIP services throughout its local markets.

The company is among a handful of carriers developing their VoIP offerings. BellSouth, Global Crossing MCI, Savvis Communications and Sprint also are readying offerings.

"We are accelerating our VoIP plans based on what we're learning from our customers and what they're asking us for," says AT&T's Pat Traynor, vice president of network integration.

That acceleration covers three dimensions: VoIP networking, application development and equipment interoperability, she says.

Traynor says all AT&T's data services will support VoIP by year-end. And she says AT&T in May will roll out its Enhanced VPN service, which is a fully managed Multi-protocol-Label-Switching-based VPN that supports voice and data. The carrier also will support VoIP over its IP Enabled Frame Relay service, standard ATM and frame relay offerings.

Ryla Teleservices has used AT&T's Managed Internet Service with VoIP support for two years and wouldn't consider switching.

"We're saving 30% compared to traditional telephony services," says Robb Duke, director of marketing at the contact management outsourcing company in Woodstock, Ga. The company doesn't have to pay for usage, and the predictable costs make for easier budgeting.

The company has 13 T-1 access circuits at its headquarters. It divides which channels support voice or data and it has worked flawlessly, he says.

Ryla also is keeping an eye on telework VoIP services AT&T is developing. These include network-based VoIP services that will extend the same features and functionality as headquarters, such as four-digit dialing, conferencing and voice mail, to small-office or home-office users.

The service is called Independent Teleworker and is scheduled to launch midyear. Traynor says it will let employees use their DSL or cable modem Internet connections to support voice.

"Teleworking is part of our business plan," Duke says. Although Ryla doesn't know exactly when it will support teleworkers, the company knows it wants to be able to extend the same VoIP capabilities it enjoys at headquarters, he says.

AT&T also is planning to roll out IP Centrex and VoIP services throughout its local markets this year.

MCI and others

Competitors are just as bullish about VoIP. MCI will launch a VoIP over DSL service in April, says Sharon Kasimow, director of MCI Advantage. The service will require a device at the customer site that acts as a router and VoIP gateway.

The company has offered VoIP services over its local networks for the past two years and announced in February that it's teaming with Broadsoft to introduce an IP Centrex service, but Kasimow would not offer a firm availability date.

MCI also has started upgrading its data offerings to support VoIP. The carrier rolled out its MCI Advantage over Private IP this month.

In other VoIP carrier news:

•  Sprint, the third-largest interexchange carrier, says it plans to introduce similar VoIP services over its SprintLink Frame Relay service later this year.

• BellSouth plans to announce a new VoIP service as early as next week, and more specifics about future VoIP plans. A company spokesman declined to provide details but analysts say it could be a hosted VoIP service that BellSouth last fall hinted would be coming this year.

• International service provider Global Crossing is slated to announce a VoIP service next week at the VON show. This service will be the carrier's first VoIP offering for enterprise users. The company has only offered wholesale VoIP services to other service providers.

• IP VPN service provider Savvis is set to launch a new VoIP service in two weeks, but few details were available at press time.

Managing Editor Jim Duffy contributed to this story.

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