Qwest to deploy Sonus packet technology

(Telephony) Despite talk of carriers scaling back capital spending and network buildouts, Qwest Communications revealed it has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Sonus Networks for packet voice technology solutions.

While the exact value of the multiyear deal was not revealed, Qwest will deploy the Sonus PSC6000 Softswitch; the SGX2000 SS7 Signaling Gateway; the GSX 9000 Open Services Switch; and the INtelligentIP Softswitch, which Sonus acquired through the purchase of Telecom Technologies.

The total platform will allow Qwest to offer its first services that combine Internet and voice technologies over its nationwide IP network, including wholesale voice-over-IP terminating services that let providers deliver voice calls over its IP network.

In addition to delivering traditional telephony services, the Sonus platform will enable Qwest to offer next-generation IP services, said Hassan Ahmed, president and CEO for Sonus

“The reality is that there is a very big shift in the way carriers are building networks,” Ahmed said, noting that many carriers want to take better advantage of their existing networks.

“Every day, there is bad new from vendors. Carriers who do have money are spending it. They may not be expanding, but they are trying to live within their means.”

But rather than building out, carriers are adapting their existing networks to offer new services, Ahmed said.

Sonus seems to be on the right track with its plan to target major carriers rather than the competitive local exchange carriers, which are now bogged down in financial mire. According to a new report from Synergy Research Group, Sonus surpassed Lucent, Cisco and Nortel for the most voice-over-IP ports shipped in the quarter.