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Data Access, VocalTec enter into network expansion pact
By siliconindia
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Wednesday, 08 January 2003, 20:30 IST
NEW DELHI: VocalTec Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: VOCL) and Data Access (I) Ltd., one of India's leading long distance carriers, announced Tuesday that they have finalized a strategic global framework agreement.
The agreement says Data Access has committed to place purchase orders for VocalTec equipment and related services in the estimated amount of $8 million.
This will enhance switching capacity of Data Access by 2.5 billion minutes a year over the next 15 months. Additional VocalTec equipment will be deployed as part of Data Access' major network expansion during 2003.
Data Access plans to expand its Points of Presence (POPs) in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and to deploy a new POP in New York.
"VocalTec's carrier-class platform has proven its ability to generate revenues and provide fast return on investment," said Siddhartha Ray, MD, Data Access. "Our partnership with VocalTec, as enhanced through our new global framework agreement, is a key component of our strategy to become a leading international player in the VoIP space. Data Access' planned expansion will support up to 20 million minutes per day, a significant increase from the network's current capacity of four million minutes per
day."
Data Access has a total of eight switch centers and network operating centers (NOCs) -- five located within India with overseas centers in New York, London, and Hong Kong. The company has an additional 20 points of interconnect (POI) to link to other carrier networks.
"VocalTec is fully committed to its strategic partnership with Data Access, which is undoubtedly one of the industry's outstanding success stories," said Dr. Elon Ganor, CEO and Chairman of VocalTec. "Our global framework agreement with Data Access demonstrates the ability of our packet telephony solutions to meet the demands of carriers and service providers in deregulating and global markets."
Using VocalTec's packet tandem switching architecture, Data Access is presently carrying approximately 3.5 million minutes per day of ILD traffic, representing an estimated 30 percent share of total international long distance call traffic in India. This success can be attributed to the carrier-grade network quality and unsurpassed SS7 connectivity of the VocalTec-driven network, as well as the attractive rates offered by Data Access.