Web Host, VoIP Provider, XO Communications, Extends Advanced Network Security

Westford, Massachusetts - (The Hosting News) - December 10, 2007 - Web host, Internet and telecommunications services company, XO Communications, has upgraded its network security by deploying Sonus Networks, Inc.'s Network Border Switch (NBS).

Sonus' NBS is a purpose-built IP-based solution that combines session control, PSTN gateway services and security into a single, high performance, highly scalable, carrier-class solution, which differs from traditional peering and security products such as Session Border Controllers (SBCs). The power of the NBS to protect IP-voice networks was recently validated by CT Labs, a full service testing and analysis lab, which concluded after a battery of tests that the NBS is capable of standing up to extreme denial of service attacks.

Randy Nicklas, Chief Technology Officer, XO Communications noted, ''XO is committed to providing its business customers with premium voice service, and in today's environment, that requires defending the network against a variety of security threats. In addition, more and more network operators are investing in their IP networks. With the NBS, we're able to peer directly with other networks via IP. The transcoding capabilities of the NBS have enabled us to broaden our service offerings and to drive even greater efficiency throughout our network.''

The Sonus Network Border Switch is architecturally designed to improve connectivity between disparate IP networks and allow operators to gain protection, control and visibility over those accessing their networks. XO Communications has one of the United States' largest IP voice networks, carrying more than 15 billion minutes of IP voice traffic in 2006, and currently carrying approximately 1.6 billion minutes of IP voice traffic every month. With such a large IP voice deployment, scalability and reliability were two of the driving factors for migrating to the NBS.

Hassan Ahmed, President, Chairman and CEO, Sonus Networks added, ''Like the entire Sonus product portfolio, the NBS stands out in the industry for its ability to scale while maintaining the highest levels of performance and reliability. We understand that security is a top concern for today's network operators, and we are committed to helping our customers protect the integrity of their networks, even under the most demanding environments.''

In August, Sonus unveiled the latest version of its NBS platform, available on both the GSX 9000 and GSX 4000 platforms. The new version includes new features to support direct media, Denial of Service (DoS) protection for access networks and consumer VoIP deployments, advanced encryption support for call set-up, and additional Secure Real Time Protocol (RTP) to protect call content. In addition, the platform upgrade includes new features for advanced management and Operational System Support (OSS) functionality.

Sonus Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of IP-voice infrastructure solutions for wireline and wireless service providers. With its comprehensive IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution, Sonus addresses the full range of carrier applications, including residential and business voice services, wireless voice and multimedia, trunking and tandem switching, carrier interconnection and enhanced services. Sonus' voice infrastructure solutions are deployed in service provider networks worldwide.

XO Communications offers solutions with the proven performance to support the demanding high- bandwidth network requirements of enterprises. XO Communications has made significant investments in its inter-city network in order to expand its ability to deliver high-capacity network services for enterprises. Recently, XO Communications completed an increase in the capacity of its core network by 200 percent, deploying an additional 800 Gigabits (Gbps) of capacity on major coast-to-coast routes across its nationwide 18,000 route- mile optical network, augmenting a capacity expansion completed last year which delivered 400 Gbps of capacity across its network. As a result of these investments to expand the capacity and capabilities of its network, XO received industry recognition for the Best Backbone/Core Network by winning the NXTComm Eos Excellence of Achievement Award.

XO Communications, a subsidiary of XO Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: XOHO.OB), is a provider of national and local telecommunications services to businesses, large enterprises and communications service providers. XO offers a broad portfolio of services, including local and long distance voice, dedicated Internet access, private networking, data transport, and web hosting services, as well as bundled voice and Internet solutions. XO provides these services over an advanced, nationwide facilities-based IP network and serves 75 metropolitan markets across the United States.

To learn more about XO Communications, please visit: www.xo.com.

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“pocket-sized” VoIP From Nokia Siemens Networks

Amsterdam, Netherlands, December 04, 2007

To better capitalize on the marriage of telecommunications and the Internet, Nokia Siemens Networks is strengthening its VoIP and core network offering by introducing the Communication Key, a USB device with SIM authentication that lets subscribers take VoIP and other rich communications on the road.

At the Nokia World event in Amsterdam, Nokia Siemens Networks is showcasing a novel way to enjoy easy Voice over IP (VoIP) communications from any Internet-connected PC. The Communication Key is a USB device with built-in SIM authentication that allows PC users to engage in not only voice calls, but also video sharing and other rich communications with the same ease and convenience as making mobile phone calls. It helps a mobile operator reinforce its role as the preferred service provider in the face of growing competition from new Internet players. The Communication Key will be available in Q3 2008.

"The tiny SIM card represents a huge business opportunity for mobile and converged operators," says Juergen Walter, head of Service Core and Applications, Nokia Siemens Networks. "It is a tangible – and valuable – token of their relationship with their customers. The identity, phone number and account data of individual subscribers are all tied to the SIM card, which means that it can be a crucial tool for offering innovative services based on built-in identity and trust."

The Communication Key leverages this powerful link to subscribers – with the support of Nokia Siemens Networks' unique core network solution – to enable a rich and easy VoIP service that can broaden an operator's horizons for services by expanding the VoIP experience across domains.

Because authentication and billing with the Communication Key is based on a user's SIM card, logging onto the service is fast, intuitive and secure, and payment is streamlined as part of the user's mobile phone bill. SIM authentication also means that Communication Key users can be reached by their normal mobile telephone number. This gives subscribers the option of answering incoming calls on their mobiles or PCs, according to their preferences or current access – both their mobile and PC can ring simultaneously if so desired.

As the Communication Key is completely portable and self-contained, users can plug it into Internet-connected PCs anywhere, for example at Internet cafés away from home while on holiday. They can then make calls totally independent of the local mobile network coverage, an attractive option in regions where coverage or roaming fees are challenging. This gives operators a way to offer richer services that adds traffic on top of the normal mobile usage.

Central to the Communication Key's functionality is the Nokia Siemens Networks Communication Suite PC client, which gives secure and simple access for business users and consumers to engage in Internet-based communications, such as VoIP calls, Instant Messaging, or Video sharing using PCs with broadband connections. Because the Communication Suite PC client can also employ authentication methods other than SIM-based, it can be offered by any network operator, whether fixed or mobile, who wants to add VoIP to their service offering.

With the Communication Key, mobile operators can leverage their relationship with subscribers in order to expand service coverage, open up new revenue streams and increase their overall service usage. SIM-based authentication can also pave the way to even more innovative business models where subscribers can, for example, use the Communication Key as a "citizen certificate" for official identification or to charge purchases made over the Internet to their mobile account.

The solution uses Nokia Siemens Networks' unique core network architecture, based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) or mobile softswitching, to authenticate, connect and charge for the calls made with the Communication Key. Nokia Siemens Networks is a leader in next generation IP-based network solutions, with a continuously growing base of customers deploying its core network solutions.

The Communication Key is being demonstrated, along with Nokia Siemens Networks' Communication Suite, SIM-based authentication and unique IMS solution at Nokia World in Amsterdam on December 4-5.

Tags: mobile Voip, Nokia, Siemans, VoIP, Pocket VoIP, Nokia World, SIM card, Communication Key, IP Multimedia Subsystem

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CAT to lobby TOT with presentation

 

The Nation (1 December 2007)

CAT Telecom will make a presentation to TOT next week about the benefits the telecom industry would gain from adopting the interconnection-charge regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

CAT chairman Montree Sungkasap late this week said the company's board approved the findings of a study of interconnection- and access-charge regulations.

The result shows that the interconnection-charge regulations would lead to fair competition in the industry and significantly cut telecom operators' operating costs, which would enable them to pass benefits on to consumers.

Montree will present the study results to TOT chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr, as well as the Finance Ministry, which owns both TOT and CAT.

The NTC introduced the interconnection-charge regulations in November 2006. They require all telecom operators to share voice and data revenue fairly between any networks involved in a call.

The access charge is the cost that all of CAT's private cellular concessionaires - Total Access Communication (DTAC), True Move, and Digital Phone - have paid to TOT for connecting different networks via TOT's facilities. CAT wants to comply with the regulations and if possible stop paying the access charge to TOT.

CAT president Phisal Jorphochaudom said CAT might need to speak with TOT about terminating the access-charge agreements.

CAT has also paid monthly access charges to TOT for Hutchison-CAT on the basis of Bt200 per post-paid user and 18 per cent of revenue from prepaid users, which it deems a heavy burden. Hutchison-CAT is a cellular-service marketer joint venture between TOT and CAT.

Besides the access charge, CAT must share half of its revenue from Hutch with TOT under an access-charge agreement between TOT and CAT.

Currently, major telecom operators - Advanced Info Service, DTAC, True Move - have signed bilateral interconnection-charge deals with each other.

TOT opposes the regulations, which it says has affected the existing bilateral access-charge agreements between TOT and CAT's private cellular concessionaires.

DTAC and True Move stopped paying the access charge to TOT in November 2006 and adopted the interconnection charge instead, prompting TOT to file a civil suit against them to demand outstanding access fees of Bt10 billion from DTAC and Bt4 billion from True Move.

Since coming under the access-charge regulations with TOT in 1994, DTAC and True Move have so far paid a combined total of Bt62.417 billion in access fees to TOT.

Last week, CAT resubmitted the interconnection plan for NTC consideration in a bid to come under new telecom regulations.

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