VoIP network shake-up for Tiscali

Tiscali International Network, carrier arm of European Internet communication company, Tiscali SpA, has activated its converged voice over IP (VoIP) international network, based on Cisco Systems PGW 2000 and AS5400 voice gateway platforms.

Tiscali International Network, carrier arm of European Internet communication company, Tiscali SpA, has activated its converged voice over IP (VoIP) international network, based on Cisco Systems PGW 2000 and AS5400 voice gateway platforms.

According to the company, voice interconnect capabilities have been deployed over the existing international network footprint within the UK, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, Switzerland, Spain and the USA. These eight countries represent phase one of a convergence project that will include six additional countries (Austria, Belgium, China, The Netherlands, Germany and Ireland) by the end of Q2 of this year.

The company believes that with the deployment of a global class-4 VoIP network, Tiscali International Network has been able to successfully launch an International wholesale voice service, complementing its wholesale service portfolio, which already includes Clear Channel, IP Transit, Remote Peering, and wholesale European ADSL access products.

The economics of its converged network, it says, are enabling it to build a competitive edge by leveraging the existing IP/MPLS infrastructure to optimise investments and operational costs. Tiscali International Network's voice network is said to be available to main European and USA carrier-neutral facilities, and to be able to handle up to 200m minutes per month over different interconnection systems, including classical TDM, H323 and SIP interconnection.

Tiscali has also deployed a corporate voice platform for its headquarters in Cagliari, Italy, based on Cisco 7900 series wireline and Cisco 7920 series wireless IP phones.

"Our reduced operational expenditure translates into more competitive prices for our customers, who also enjoy the high standard of quality ensured by Cisco platform and by our international IP/MPLS backbone," says Tiscali International Network's CEO, Paolo Susnik.

"This is one of the biggest VoIP convergence projects in Europe and Cisco is proud to have been involved in its delivery. The company is now providing a more efficient voice platform to its customers, and the use of VoIP and IP Telephony in-house will not only save costs, but enable Tiscali to sell converged services based on personal experience. This gives Tiscali the edge on many operators who have yet to converge their own networks," says Enrico Deluchi, MD for Cisco Systems, EMEA.