Telecom launches next first generation wholesale broadband service
Telecom Wholesale today launched the first of a series of next generation broadband products to telecommunication service providers.
Enhanced Unbundled Bitstream Access has been successfully trialled with both CallPlus and South Island ISP Snap and is now available to other service providers.
“Enhanced UBA is the first of a new family of next generation network products allowing service providers to offer their customers real-time next generation services,” said Telecom Wholesale chief executive Matt
Crockett.
“The launch marks the completion of a challenging project with invaluable input from our wholesale customers and a complex build to a tight timeframe.”
Enhanced UBA will be available nationally where Telecom has deployed next generation Ethernet broadband technology, also called ADSL2+. Today, 56 per cent of fixed line broadband customers are served by ADSL2+ and this will increase to more than 80 per cent in the next three years.
“In an increasingly competitive wholesale market this is a critical first step to offering services to our customers that will bring the concept of IP services to life in New Zealand homes,” Mr Crockett said.
“The new products will pave the way for service providers to offer their customers multiple digital voice connections, high-quality video conferencing, improved remote working and home security systems, all over
a single access in the home.”
Enhanced UBA includes a channel dedicated to real-time IP traffic – such as voice or video – and a second channel specifically for Internet services. Future variants of the product are expected to include additional dedicated channels built to cater for services, such IPTV or video-on-demand.
Snap Chief Executive Jamie Cairns said Enhanced UBA will become the foundation for converging voice and data services over Telecom’s next generation broadband network.
“Enhanced UBA enables a single copper line to reliably carry several services to the same location, and we’re very excited about how we can use it for our customers,” he said.
“It fits the gap between the more cost-competitive broadband products and the more expensive fibre services that are currently available.
CallPlus General Manager Mark Callander said Enhanced UBA will enable the cost effective delivery of IP-based services to the business market.
“Enhanced UBA will be one of the technologies we use for the delivery of our next generation SIP-based products targeting the small to medium business market.
“Having the ability to cost effectively deliver high quality voice and data over a single connection enables more businesses to start benefiting from the emerging world of voice-over-IP. Over the next few months we
will be working closely with selected IP PBX vendors to leverage thisopportunity in the New Zealand market,” he said.
Enhanced UBA will initially be available in two variants with real-time channels of 40 Kbps and 90 Kbps. Two more variants will be added to the Enhanced UBA family in early 2009. All variants can be provided with or without an active analogue phone service.
About Telecom Wholesale:
Telecom Wholesale is an operationally separate business unit within
Telecom that wholesales network connectivity products to internet and
telephone service providers throughout New Zealand. Telecom Wholesale’s
broadband, business data, voice and interconnect products give providers
the foundation on which to build their own network or telecommunications
services for their customers. For more information on Telecom Wholesale
visit www.telecomwholesale.co.nz.
About CallPlus:
Established in 1996, CallPlus is New Zealand’s third largest fixed line,
voice and internet company offering a full range of communication services
in both business and residential markets through its CallPlus and
Slingshot brands. The company has a strong focus on innovation, service
delivery and building customer value which has contributed to the
significant customer and revenue growth over the last five years. For
more information visit www.callplus.co.nz and www.slingshot.co.nz
About Snap:
Snap is the largest ISP in the South Island and has been supplying
Internet connectivity for 15 years. It has developed a broad portfolio of
services and is now a leading provider to small and medium sized
businesses.