Verizon to Do Local Packet Voice in Two States

Verizon in short order will begin using packet-switching technology to deliver voice services to local businesses and consumers in California and Washington state. The services will initially be based on voice over ATM technology, eventually moving to voice over IP, according to Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president and CTO at the company.

The Nortel Networks softswitches in those markets are replacing a handful of circuit-based Nortel DMX switches.

Company technicians are currently installing the packet-switching systems in five southern California communities: Temecula, Elsinore, Homeland, Baldwin Park and Azusa. Installation of a sixth packet switch is also under way in Mount Vernon, Wash. The six switches are expected to come on line later this year.

Customers served by the new packet switches in California and Washington will continue to receive the same voice and data services at the same price, and customers will not be required to change equipment.

Verizon began deploying this packet voice technology in its network in 1999, in the form of VoIP gateways to connect local customers with some long-distance networks. In 2002, Verizon began installing packet switches in parts of the company's intercity network. A year later, Verizon deployed softswitches in segments of the company's long-distance network to carry national calls using VoIP technology.

In the near future, Verizon expects to launch an Internet-based consumer VoIP service. And later this year it expects to offer a softswitch-based service running over its own network for business customers of various sizes.

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