By Sharla Sikes

Nortel seems poised for significant growth, using intelligent and progressive plans to expand its reach.

Communications provider Nortel is aiming to introduce VoIP to rural communities.  Nortel is working with Roberts County Telephone to bring Nortel’s Communication Server 1500  VoIP softswitch into acceptance for a government grant program. Once the switch is listed in the Rural Utilities Service list of materials, the grant program allows rural phone operators to apply for financial assistance to upgrade their networks. 

Roberts County used Nortel’s switch to complete the trials required for the grant program. The program is funded by The Technical Standards Committee “A” of RUS, part of the US Dept. of Agriculture, and is meant to help boost communications technology in rural areas of the United States. Grants are available to offset costs for network enhancements, equipment and construction financing, and assistance obtaining advanced networking equipment.

“Getting products RUS listed is no easy task, requiring extensive documentation, technical presentations and more than six months of service provider trials to ensure the product meets the extensive criteria for inclusion in the RUS List of Materials,” said Alf Decardenas, general manager, Carrier Multimedia Networks, Nortel. “Rural service providers need a solution that allows them to evolve their existing network to VoIP to meet growing customer demand for converged and multimedia services. With the help of Robert’s County Telephone, Nortel has achieved RUS listing of its market-leading VoIP technology that will help rural service providers take advantage of the benefits of IP-based communications while keeping their operational costs down.”

The softswitch is designed especially for regional carriers, with the ability to support traditional phone service and integrate IP communications.

Related Content

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback