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To: KLP who wrote (36)	10/24/2000 5:15:58 PM
From: tech101	Respond to of 53

SBC takes VOIP plunge By Jennifer Jones STAKING ITS CLAIM as one of the first major carriers to make a concerted IP telephony push, SBC on Tuesday unfurled a two-prong VOIP (voice over IP) strategy. The San Antonio-based Baby Bell said it will go after larger business customers interested not only in VOIP but also in flexibility in moving voice onto a data-based infrastructure. Specifically, SBC said it will help enterprises either in their efforts to upgrade hardware to new IP PBX platforms or in moves to use add-on equipment that blends voice and data functionality. For users falling into the first camp, SBC in early 2001 will begin offering solutions based on Cisco's new AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data) platform. For enterprises that want to retain their existing PBX but still move to VOIP, SBC will work with Nortel, which has its Meridian Internet Telephony Gateway platform that plugs traditional phone systems into IP networks. Also falling into the second category are businesses that use Centrex services, many of which are interested in injecting IP capabilities into their Centrex switches. SBC said it will target that customer set in partnership with Lucent and Nortel. In making its VOIP push, SBC said it identified a VOIP void caused by the dearth of brand-name telecommunications providers in the market. Largely thought to be holding out on VOIP to protect still-healthy long-distance revenue streams, carriers' reluctance to jump into the VOIP fray has held back the market, SBC officials said in a statement. Jennifer Jones is an InfoWorld senior editor. infoworld.com