Verizon to bolster wireless integration, ready new managed services

Expansions to Verizon’s managed IP PBX and anti-distributed DoS services on tap for ’07.

Customers can expect to see Verizon Business work more closely with Verizon Wireless this year, according to the carrier, which recently shared its plans for upgrading its services lineup with Network World.

If the two do a better job of integrating wireless broadband services such as Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) with business services such as Verizon’s Private IP MPLS VPN, customers can expect more flexibility when on the road or working remotely.

Tom Roche, vice president of marketing for network voice and data services at Verizon Business, says the company is “going through fixed mobile convergence trials as we speak.”

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Customers can expect to see Verizon Business work more closely with Verizon Wireless this year, according to the carrier, which recently shared its plans for upgrading its services lineup with Network World.

If the two do a better job of integrating wireless broadband services such as Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) with business services such as Verizon’s Private IP MPLS VPN, customers can expect more flexibility when on the road or working remotely.

Tom Roche, vice president of marketing for network voice and data services at Verizon Business, says the company is “going through fixed mobile convergence trials as we speak.”

“Customers will begin to see integration of wireless and wireline features in the first quarter of ‘07 and the capability of using a single number and voice and e-mail box,” he says.

The carrier plans to support dual-mode handsets that can seamlessly hand off voice calls from a CDMA network to a Wi-Fi network. This will allow customers to use a wireless handheld device as their standard desktop phone rather than having to use a standard tethered phone.

Roche says the company is evaluating three platforms as part of its customer trials, but he would not reveal any additional details about the tests or new services.

Meanwhile, Verizon Business also is preparing to launch a managed IP PBX service using Avaya gear early this year and expand the reach of its managed distributed denial of service (DoS) overseas.

The carrier launched its first managed IP PBX service in 2005 based on Cisco IP PBX gear. Support for Avaya IP PBX switches will be available in the first quarter, and the carrier says it will add a third vendor’s gear to the mix this summer.

Managed IP PBX service is an end-to-end VoIP offering that lets users hand over the management of their WAN and LAN, if they choose, to Verizon. By adding support for additional IP PBX switches, customers gain more choices and flexibility as they migrate to VoIP.

Jim DeMerlis, vice president of managed services marketing at the carrier, says Verizon will continue to enhances its managed security offerings throughout the year including expanding the geographic reach of its WAN Defense DDoS mitigation and detection service globally.

WAN Defense was originally launched in 2005.

In the first half of the year the carrier says it will rollout its anti distributed DoS service in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. Previously the offering was only available outside the United States on a case-by-case basis.

Read more about wireless & mobile in Network World's Wireless & Mobile section.