Skip Links

Network World

  • Social Web 
  • Email 
  • Close

Outsourced VoIP systems

How the outsourced VoIP model works to support network service providers
Convergence & VoIP Alert By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick , Network World , 07/16/2008
Steve Taylor
Sign up for this newsletter now!

While all the Tier 1 service providers have had a VoIP offering for several years, the same isn't necessarily true for Tier 2 and Tier 3 carriers and ISPs, because deploying a VoIP service may stretch the limited resources for these telecom providers. To help, companies like VoIP Logic offer outsourced VoIP systems and solutions based on best-of-breed technology and best practices engineering.

To understand how this outsourced model works to support network service providers, we spoke recently with Micah Singer, Founder & CEO at VoIP Logic. VoIP Logic was founded in 2003 and has 32 employees; more than 180 active customers; and has shown a 48% compounded annual growth rate from 2003 through 2007.

The company’s solution is based on technology supplied by Nextone, Sylantro, Acme Packet, IVR Technologies, Covergence, and others. By using third-party hosted co-location facilities in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong, VoIP Logic doesn’t need to provide its own network; rather it provides an outsourced service to small and midsized carriers and ISPs that is focused on the hardware, software, support systems, engineering expertise, and 24/7 support staff needed to provide a carrier-class VoIP infrastructure.

Singer notes that the “secret sauce” to VoIP Logic’s advantage is in an operational support system (OSS) and business support system (BSS) called Cortex. Cortex is VoIP Logic’s middleware that enables service providers to provision, monitor, and bill service offerings, which provides its end-users with a single point of self-care. Cortex is a secure, unified OSS/BSS from which all the components of a multisystem VoIP rollout can be controlled. It allows easy integration of additional service modules that support current and next-generation service offerings extending VoIP to Voice 2.0, Unified Communications and Mobile VoIP. In the beginning of 2008, VoIP Logic introduced its first Cortex Web service API, which allows service providers full flexibility as they integrate with and manage their end-user feature sets, phone services, messaging and billing.

Our observations: While value-added resellers, and wholesale VoIP carriers like Level 3 and Global Crossing could also target the Tier 2 and Tier 3 carriers, we are encouraged to know that companies like VoIP Logic have a very focused and carrier-savvy approach to offer outsourced services to this niche market. The advantage offered the carriers does indeed lie within a solid OSS and BSS component, and the advantage to the enterprise is that with more choices in hosted service providers, the end user will also ultimately benefit.

Partner Content
Foundry Networks

The Foundry Enterprise Advantage

Foundry Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FDRY) is a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing, security and Web traffic management solutions. Foundry's customers include the world's premier ISPs, metro service providers, and enterprises.

For further information on Foundry Networks please click here.

Leveraging the Advantages
of a Multi-vendor Network Strategy

Today's enterprise network provides more than simply a technology infrastructure. It's an enabler for the enterprise, supporting mission critical applications, creating operational efficiencies and increasing productivity gains. Foundry Networks provides the ideal foundation for a multi-vendor network.

Click here to view whitepaper!

Comment
Login
Forgot your account info?
Add comment
Anonymous comments subject to approval. Register here for member benefits.
Have a NetworkWorld account? Log in here. Register now for a free account.

Videos

rssRss Feed
Get instant email notification when white papers, webcasts, executive guides are added to our library. Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest on IT Technologies with Network World's Resource Alerts.