While the others have more experience with copper to optical solution, SONS uses pure optical. That means greater ability to handle more traffic, less drop off, and far greater bandwidth. Also the competition needs to use converters to go to electrical back to optical and vice versa. The competition is working on pure optical -- but I do not know of a single case where it has left the drawing boards. Certainly, something to happen, but then again don't count them until they start to get deployed. There are a lot of these hybrid systems in practice right now.
The interoperability of SONS with other manufacturers equipment like JNPR or Riverstone is more significant than the competion-- just look at SONS compatibility chart. I challenge anyone to find such compatibility from NT or CSCO. That is a big plus.
On the software side, Sonus is light years ahead of the competition in class 5 funtionality. Anyone realize how much software it takes to replace the functionality of a legacy switch ? We are talking about Windows XP-type of complexity. Sonus has invested over 7 years and running in code developement. Look at the recent AOL deal, that means that special IP VOIP software specific to AOL needs to be written. Sonus is well-known for delivering timely software patches for these reasons. They currently have an entire software team in Bangalore dedicated to improving this customization and class 5 functionality.
NT, CSCO, ERICY, and LU are behind in their delivery of a pure optical-packet based softswitch technology , and the software involved. Most of the offerings from these companies are class 4 with work-in-progress to deliver class 5.
Sonus is 12-18 months ahead of the competion in delivering this much more scalable, more efficient, greater bandwidth, more highly-tested, more feature-laden, softswitch technology. Also one more thing, unlike NT, CSCO, ERICY, and LU -- SONS developed their softswitch from the ground-up. The competition did not originally have an in-house VOIP solution team -- they purchased the companies that did, and then "patched them" into their corporate structure. Don't expect them to work seamlessly from the start, there are plagued with problems. For instance,ERICY was mentioned, they have not yet deployed softswitches in any real network, anywhere. BT will be their first network.
And lets not forget about experience. It has already been reported that SONS has more traffic on their network than anyone-- including NT or LU. Experience counts when it comes to deploying a network in reasonble time. The cost of a widget is peanuts compared to the cost of the installation and any incurred delays.
SONS is in the lead, like it or not. That is why a carrier would select SONS over the competition and that is why SONS is a lucrative buy-out candidate. Nothing changes my opinion about the prospects for this company.
- from yhoo msg board#435877 |
