Hyderabad: Cable & Wireless IDC, one of Japan's leading internet service providers and data and voice services, has selected 'Succession' carrier voice over internet protocol (VoIP) local and long distance solutions from Nortel Networks [NYSE/TSX: NT] to migrate its existing voice networks to IP and create a unified platform for delivery of next generation multimedia services.

This will enable the Japanese company to offer carrier-grade IP telephony, Centrex IP, video calling, unified messaging and other value-added multimedia services to corporate customers and service providers, and to reduce network management and operating costs.

Cable & Wireless IDC will initially upgrade its Tokyo and Osaka networks to VoIP, with full nationwide deployment to follow.

Phil Green, president and chief executive officer, Cable & Wireless IDC said, "We have been working successfully with Nortel Networks since 1989, when they provided our first TDM network in Japan, and it made sound business sense to look to them for this new multimedia services platform as well. The new voice over IP capability will enhance our strong, customer-centric business model and significantly support our focus on the delivery of next generation IP services to corporate customers in Japan."

"Cable & Wireless IDC provides high-speed, advanced network environments worldwide and we are delighted to provide the company's Japanese operation with our voice over IP solution," said John Giamatteo, president, Asia Pacific, Nortel Networks. "We are convinced Cable & Wireless IDC's new IP capabilities will mean major benefits for its Japan customers by enabling them to leverage next generation IP services to enhance their business operations," he added.

Cable & Wireless IDC's new IP network will be based on Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server (CS) 2000 superclass softswitch and Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5200. These systems are designed to integrate existing and disparate voice and data networks to provide cost-effective interoperability with multimedia communications terminals and VoIP network devices from other major suppliers.

Cable & Wireless IDC's earlier infrastructure investment is protected since its existing Nortel Networks DMS circuit switches can be cost-effectively upgraded to Succession CS 2000 softswitches via a simple software upgrade and introduction of minimal additional equipment.

Succession CS 2000 superclass softswitches provide true service provider circuit-to-packet migration — including local, tandem and long distance capability — on a single platform, along with full business and residential telephony service sets. They also provide carrier-grade reliability and scalability, and regulatory features like lawful intercept and number portability.

Nortel Networks MCS 5200, part of the Multimedia Communications Portfolio, is a carrier-grade, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)-based media and applications server. The Multimedia Communications Portfolio, including both MCS 5200 and MCS 5100, delivers advanced multimedia and collaborative applications through the same commercially available hardware and open-standards software.

The MCS 5200 also supports PRI (Primary rate interface), a first for Japan for the entire year and fourth quarter of 2003.

Nortel Networks ranked no.1 in the global markets for VOIP ports, according to Synergy Research Group and Instat/MDR.