WASHINGTON -- WorldCom, Inc., today unveiled plans to commercially launch IP Communications, a suite of services that will enable businesses to move their voice traffic to an IP network and take advantage of a new generation of multimedia applications.
The new services will extend WorldCom's IP networking strengths to deliver the industry's most comprehensive IP capabilities essential for businesses to compete in the digital generation. IP Communications will broaden WorldCom's IP leadership by playing an integral role in its IP VPN, Private IP and Web Center offerings, further solidifying WorldCom's position as a data-driven, high-growth company leading the industry in delivering new digital services. WorldCom IP Communications services, available in second quarter of 2001 and on display this week at ComNet, will facilitate the integration of voice, data and video applications allowing customers to conduct business more quickly, easily and efficiently. IP Communications will be incorporated into WorldCom's IP VPN and Private IP services.
WorldCom IP VPN, powered by the company's global IP network, delivers industry-leading, secure dial and dedicated Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. WorldCom Private IP unlocks new e-applications for traditional data users through the Company's IP-enabled global networks using MPLS technology. These unified IP network services raise the bar for the entire industry.
"WorldCom IP Communications services are about much more than transmitting information across a network," said Jim DeMerlis, Vice President Product Marketing. "We're changing the way we do business in a digital world by integrating a variety of communications methods such as voice, email, and instant messaging into our everyday exchanges -- within an enterprise and with a company's customers. WorldCom is committed to working with our business customers to implement a smooth and efficient transition from traditional voice services to a rich array of IP-based communications."
Customers are already using WorldCom's IP Communications services to transport their voice and data applications over a common network, improve productivity and save on equipment costs. This is a key advantage within the enterprise, where customers are seeking ways to leverage existing Frame, ATM and VPN networks to move intra-enterprise voice. IP Communications is designed to operate over a variety of networks, so customers can take advantage of their existing infrastructure while improving the quality of their communications. For example, WorldCom enterprise customers will be able to shift their voice communications to an IP environment for internal and external calling and be able to complete calls to domestic and international locations. WorldCom's IP Communications customers can move to an IP environment, with the distinct benefit of being able to maintain their existing dial plans and calling features, such as call forwarding, voice mail, calling privileges and call screening.
Later this year, IP Communications customers will be able to take advantage of new, leading-edge multimedia applications, such as "presence," instant conferencing and unified messaging. By implementing "presence," IP Communications customers will be able to inform callers of their availability and preferred method of communication, such as e-mail, telephone call or instant message. Presence will also enable WorldCom customers to instantly set up chat sessions and audio-conferences. WorldCom can extend IP Communications services to a company's teleworkers, retail outlets and satellite offices through its new enterprise voice solution PBX Extension, available today. Customers benefit from the combined power of WorldCom's IP Communications services through the reach of WorldCom's PBX extension service and utilizing a variety of access methods including dedicated, dial, broadband (DSL, T1 and MMDS) and Wireless Internet. Supported by MCK Communications technology, WorldCom's PBX extension application not only extends IP Communications to these remote sites, but it also allows customers to achieve full PBX functionality while centralizing control.
Through its relationships with industry-leading vendors like Cisco, CommWorks Corp. (a 3Com subsidiary) and Pingtel, WorldCom has led the development and delivery of IP Communications for the enterprise. Each vendor is providing SIP phones to support WorldCom's IP Communications services at customers' locations. CommWorks is also providing the Total Control 1000 Media Gateway and CommWorks 4007 Signaling Gateway to bridge WorldCom's IP Communications between the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Cisco is providing the Cisco AS5X00 series of access servers and the 2600/3600 multi-service access platforms for use at the customer premises. WorldCom's IP Communications provides customers the latest technology, flexibility and features, which will enable businesses to move their voice traffic to an IP network. This will facilitate the integration of voice, data and video applications allowing customers to conduct business more quickly, easily and efficiently.
