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SIP Forum announces the introduction of the SIPconnect Compliant program, a unique certification mark created to ensure interoperability among equipment manufacturers, software providers and service providers, as well as to promote further adoption of Session Initiation Protocol as the standard for VoIP communications.
The SIPconnect Compliant logo serves as the "seal of compatibility" for companies that have agreed to abide by the terms of the licensing agreement, and is permitted only on compliant equipment that has been rigorously reviewed and tested. Purchasers relying on the certification mark will enjoy increased interoperability levels. Several industry leaders and SIP Forum members have recently been awarded the SIPconnect Compliant mark, including Acme Packet, BroadSoft, Cbeyond, Digium, Ingate Systems and McLeodUSA.
"SIP is the protocol of choice for IP communications going forward, and the pace at which companies are introducing SIP-based products and services is accelerating," said Joe McGarvey, senior analyst with Heavy Reading. "SIPconnect provides a common framework to ensure products and services that claim to be based on SIP actually are -- a key safety check for an industry that is experiencing tremendous growth."
SIPconnect, an initiative of the SIP Forum, streamlines how service providers and their enterprise customers leverage interactive IP communications services and solutions. A standards-based approach to direct IP peering between SIP-enabled IP PBXs and VoIP service providers, SIPconnect was designed to directly tie enterprise customers to VoIP service providers using an end-to-end IP connection. SIPconnect eliminates the need for VoIP gateway on the premise, improves voice quality and creates the right foundation for personalized applications and rich media services.
"The key to full adoption of the SIP standard is the drive towards total interoperability within the industry," said Jay Batson, managing director and chairman of the SIP Forum. "Having so many telecommunications innovators embrace this certification mark furthers our belief in the importance of standardizing requirements necessary to elevate VoIP to traditional phone line levels in terms of reliability and predictability."
"Acme Packet continues to support the mission and goals of the SIP Forum," said Seamus Hourihan, vice president of marketing and product management at Acme Packet. "This program's interoperability certification ensures our service provider and enterprise customers can rapidly leverage the benefits that Acme Packet session border controllers bring to the market."
Scott Hoffpauir, chief technology officer at BroadSoft, said, "SIP has evolved to become the protocol of choice for deploying enhanced data and voice services. BroadSoft's affiliation with SIPconnect has enabled us to continuously improve our VoIP applications to ensure service providers can offer the most advanced calling features to their enterprise and residential customers."
"Cbeyond has been utilizing SIPconnect's standard-based approach to SIP trunking in our BeyondVoice® with SIPconnect service, which has allowed us to provide an integrated package of voice, mobile and broadband services," said Chris Gatch, chief technology officer for Cbeyond. "Using the SIPconnect Compliant certification mark will help us partner with like-minded companies to provide better and more complete services to our customers."
Digium founder and chief technology officer Mark Spencer remarked, "The presence of a certification mark from the SIPconnect Compliant program assures our partners and customers of our products' interoperability with SIP devices. SIP offers a standardized way to bridge open source Digium Asterisk products and proprietary solutions."
Ingate Systems chief executive officer Olle Westerberg stated, "With the rapid increase in enterprise adoption of SIP-based technologies, especially SIP trunking, having an identifiable standard will further Ingate's mission to enable businesses of all sizes to utilize the benefits of SIP-based communications."
"McLeodUSA is informing customers that SIP trunking is an excellent and cost-effective replacement for primary rate interfaces (PRIs), and ensuring interoperability of networks and equipment is essential for delivering immediate benefits to customers," said Chris MacFarland, chief technology officer at McLeodUSA. "We're proud to be among the first SIPconnect Compliant members, and we look forward to collaborating with other industry leaders to enhance SIP-based services and expand SIP adoption in the market."