IRVING, Texas - Verizon Communications, the national telecommunications company formed by the merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic, is conducting a technical trial of Voice over DSL (VoDSL), becoming one of the first local phone companies to use the technology.
VoDSL is a technology that provides high-speed Internet access and up to 16 separate telephone lines over a single copper wire into a home or business.
The technical trial involves Verizon employees in the metro Dallas area. Pending the success of this trial, Verizon expects to begin a market trial with selected small businesses in Texas later this summer.
"By integrating voice and data services over one copper line, we will be able to provide small businesses with the telecommunications solutions they want," said Lee Wright, director, marketing management for Verizon. "VoDSL positions Verizon to compete effectively in the small business market place by leveraging our investment in our advanced network. Our extensive experience with DSL allows us to offer small business customers lower cost advanced solutions with the reliability and true voice quality they demand."
Lucent Technologies of Murray Hill, New Jersey and CopperCom of Santa Clara, Calif. are providing the infrastructure for the current trial. Lucent is providing its voice and data capable Stinger DSLAM (digital subscriber line access multiplexer) and total systems integration for the project. CopperCom is providing the integrated access devices which combine voice and data traffic into packets onto a single DSL line and is equipping central offices with CopperCom gateways.
"We are excited at the opportunity to work with Verizon on this strategically important project," said Stephen Marino, sales director for Lucent Technologies. "By utilizing the Lucent Stinger for its voice and data capabilities, Verizon will strengthen its position as a market leader in Voice over DSL packet services."
"As the first local exchange carrier to provide VoDSL technology, Verizon will be able to competitively offer its subscribers a new level of compelling voice services," said Cynthia Ringo, CopperCom CEO. "Verizon has an aggressive model for delivering robust voice services to small businesses and residences - complementing CopperCom's charter to improve broadband access and offer a new way for service providers to move beyond standardized calling features."
Verizon plans to offer VoDSL commercially later this year.
Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 95 million access lines and 25 million wireless customers. A Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and approximately $60 billion in 1999 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com .