Bell Atlantic Accelerates Network Evolution to Enable Risk-Free Migration to IP Voice Technology

Strategic Insights -

Bell Atlantic, a leader in advanced telecommunications, is significantly accelerating its converged network strategy to bring the benefits of Internet Protocol (IP) technology to its customers while maintaining the high-quality, feature-rich capabilities of its Advanced Intelligent Network. The company's introduction of the Centrex No Risk Technology Protection Plan is designed to enable current and new Centrex customers to easily transition to voice over IP (VoIP) capabilities, offering a seamless migration path.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bell Atlantic's network modernization plan involves a $6 billion annual investment in network technologies, including the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching, and high-bandwidth infrastructure.
  • The company's converged network strategy will utilize the inherent benefits of IP technology while retaining the high-quality, feature-rich capabilities of its Advanced Intelligent Network.
  • The Centrex No Risk Technology Protection Plan allows customers to migrate to VoIP capabilities at their own pace, minimizing capital costs and ensuring a worry-free transition.
  • Bell Atlantic's network architecture will be enabled by the integration of Advanced Intelligent Network technology and will allow for feature activation in conjunction with IP voice technology.
  • The company's focus on open standards-based interworking and interoperability, using multiple suppliers' components, will enable end-to-end quality of service management, including performance and security.
  • Bell Atlantic's commitment to network evolution has significant appeal to decision-makers who want to avoid stranded investment in their telephone equipment during a time of rapid technology change.

Statistics:

  • Bell Atlantic has invested over $6 billion annually in network technologies, including AIN, ATM switching, and high-bandwidth infrastructure.
  • The company has more than 44 million telephone access lines and over 20 million wireless customers worldwide.
  • Bell Atlantic companies operate in 23 countries and are among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets.
  • AIN call control capability will be used to direct both circuit-switched and IP calls.
  • Bell Atlantic will introduce ATM switches in its backbone voice network to augment or replace existing tandem switches.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "Company's Network Evolution Planned to Enable Risk-Free, Feature-Rich Migration to IP Voice Technology for New and Current Centrex Customers" (June 7)
  • Bell Atlantic press release, "Bell Atlantic's Network Evolution Accelerates"