PalTel evolves network with Nortel Solution

The new services have been made possible through PalTel's agreement with Nortel to supply technology that supports international VoIP and hosted SIP services. The agreement also includes network maintenance from the Nortel Global Services portfolio. The solution includes two Nortel Communication Server 2000 softswitches, located in London and Ramalah, with six Points of Presence (PoPs) in the United States and the Middle East where PalTel international calls are handed over to other operators.

"This is a common practice for PalTel and is in harmony with our vision and objectives;" said AbdulMalik Jaber, Paltel Group chief executive officer. "We always strive to reach world-class standards in terms of technology advancements and as part of our strategic plans, which in return helps us to diversify our product offerings and satisfy our customer needs."

"Nortel's softswitch solution is our first step towards a fully converged next-generation network and expands PalTel's reach beyond our geographical borders, this provides clear cost benefits to our customers in Palestine and abroad", said Mohannad Heajawi, PalTel's general manager.

"Next to the cost benefits, the Nortel Communication Server 2000 allows Paltel to introduce new SIP-based voice services such as IP Centrex and advanced multimedia services."

"We're helping PalTel meet increased demand for new communications services in a simple and cost-effective way by providing network evolution planning and ongoing support," said Sorin Lupu, president, Eastern Europe Markets, Nortel. "By making the most of its high-capacity network infrastructure, PalTel is able to develop and deliver new revenue-generating multimedia services such as instant messaging, presence and video conferencing while maintaining quality of service."

The new Nortel agreement with PalTel builds on an existing upgrade to PalTel's SDH network backbone with Nortel's Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 (OME6500) convergence platform, a solution that was used to increase backbone capacity from 2.5Gbps to 10Gbps and enhance network capabilities. This upgrade enabled PalTel to introduce new features and services such as televoting, video broadcasting and broadband to the home. These features were used during the 2006 Palestinian elections.

The relationship between the two companies began in 1995 when Nortel helped PalTel to become one of the first telecommunications providers in the Middle East to operate a fully digital, fiber-optic telephony network.

Nortel Global Services include a full range of network application, implementation, management and support services for end-to-end, multi-vendor, multi-technology networks.

Nortel is providing VoIP and multimedia solutions to many of the world's leading service providers, including Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, SaskTel, Telus, Verizon, Embarq, Verizon Business, British Telecom, Cable & Wireless and Neuf Cegetel. According to Dell'Oro Group, Nortel is the worldwide leader in carrier VoIP and has maintained that position for the last six years (2002-2007). Nortel has deployed its existing SIP applications with more than 100 operators globally and has shipped more than 40 million carrier VoIP ports.