Integra Telecom Expands Agreement with Lucent Technologies to Enhance and Expand Services

Strategic Insights -

Integra Telecom, an integrated communications provider, has expanded its agreement with Lucent Technologies to deploy packet switching and voice messaging solutions, enhancing and expanding its voice, data, long distance, and high-speed internet access services. The expanded agreement enables Integra to convert its network to ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) transport, providing seamless access to and management of voice, email, and fax messages. Integra serves commercial and institutional customers in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Midwest regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Integra Telecom has expanded its agreement with Lucent Technologies to deploy packet switching and voice messaging solutions, enhancing its voice, data, long distance, and high-speed internet access services.
  • Integra will use Lucent's 7R/E Networks Distinctive Remote Module (DRM) and VCDX switch to convert its network to ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) transport of communications services.
  • Lucent will supply Integra with its Unified Messenger for Service Providers, an easy-to-use unified messaging system for seamlessly accessing and managing voice, email, and fax messages using any telephone or a multimedia personal computer.
  • The agreement represents an expansion of an agreement between Integra and Lucent signed on July 1, 1997.
  • The switching and voice messaging systems provide a highly cost-effective way for Integra to migrate its existing 5ESS circuit switches to a packet-based network.
  • The deployment of equipment is under way and is expected to be completed by the end of October.
  • The DRM can be installed up to 2,000 miles away from an existing host switch, and the VCDX will allow Integra to enter new geographic markets with a smaller presence and expand to a larger switch as the customer base grows.
  • Integra has combined operations that serve over 50,000 access lines in the upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions.
  • Lucent Technologies focuses on high-growth areas such as broadband and mobile Internet infrastructure, communications software, communications semiconductors and optoelectronics, and professional network design and consulting services.

Statistics:

  • Over 50,000 access lines served by Integra's combined operations in the upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions.
  • Lucent's 7R/E Networks Distinctive Remote Module (DRM) can be installed up to 2,000 miles away from an existing host switch.
  • The value of the expanded agreement was not disclosed.

Sources:

  • BUSINESS WIRE, "Integra Telecom Expands Agreement with Lucent Technologies to Enhance and Expand Services"
  • Integratelecom.com
  • Lucent.com