Sonus Networks, Inc., a leading supplier of service provider Voice over IP (VoIP) infrastructure solutions, announced that Interoute, owner and operator of one of Europe's most advanced telecommunications networks, has selected Sonus Networks' IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)-ready network infrastructure solutions to support the multimillion dollar expansion of its IP-based voice network into several major markets, including Madrid, Spain and Milan, Italy. The Sonus solution offers Interoute the authentication and security features necessary to support its carrier-class Virtual Voice Network (VVN) service and Arena, Interoute's commission-free voice exchange, which gives carriers the ability to exchange traffic securely and flexibly with other operators around the world. Sonus' IMS-ready, standards-based platform was selected because it provides Interoute with the scalability and reliability necessary to meet the growing demand for the company's enhanced voice services.

Voxeo Corporation, the leading provider of standards-based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) platforms, and MAP Telecom, a leading IVR hosting provider in Europe and the Middle East, announced a multi-year strategic partnership whereby Voxeo will provide the IVR infrastructure for MAP Telecom's current facilities in Europe and four planned facilities in the Middle East.

Measures considered by some operators to block, or make illegal, the use of VoIP services on their network are a waste of time, especially given the clear signals by consumer and business users indicating a demand for these type of applications. This is one of the findings from visiongain's new report, "VoIP in Europe 2006-2011: Market analysis and forecasts."

Vonage's announcement that it has teamed up with UK Wi-Fi service provider The Cloud to offer free VoIP calls is the first major move in this direction, which will force mobile operators to follow suit.

LiteScape Technologies, Inc., announced that Allen & Overy, one of the largest law firms in the world, has selected LiteScape's VoIP solutions to improve the firm's global communications and collaboration. LiteScape's CallTrack PRO and OnCast Directory are being deployed at the firm's London offices to unify communications between phones, PCs and other IP-enabled devices. This deployment marks LiteScape's entrance into the European marketplace where enterprises are increasingly recognizing the value and benefits of applications as strategic investments in IP-based communications.

AudioCodes, a leading provider of Voice over Packet (VoP) technologies and Voice Network products, announced that its media gateways have been selected for the Russian market by CompTek, a leading Russian distributor of networking and telecommunications equipment.

AudioCodes' range of products, including its carrier class media gateways and servers, has successfully been interoperability-tested, evaluated and deployed in a variety of VoIP networks in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

ARRIS announced that one of its major customers, UPC Broadband, the European broadband division of Liberty Global, Inc., has reached the milestone of deploying voice service to over one million telephony subscribers within its European footprint. UPC's telephony deployment count has doubled over the last 15 months and has been driven by the accelerated growth of UPC's VoIP (Voice over IP) based Digital Telephony service. Over the years, ARRIS has been a strategic supplier of headend and customer premises cable telephony solutions to UPC Broadband, from the days of constant bit-rate voice to their current successful digital voice deployments.

pulvermedia announced that it is hosting the ninth annual VON Europe Spring event, 15-18 May 2006 at Stockholm International Fairs. VON Europe is expected to be more than 40-percent larger than last year's event, now attracting more than 200 exhibiting companies, 150-plus speakers, and more than 3,000 attendees.

As the premier pan-European IP Communications event, VON Europe is the place to hear and see what the future brings for communicating, and working together. VON Europe will cover in detail the emergence of IPTV, video on the desktop; triple play services, the migration of mobile devices and cellular networks to IP and SIP; and the event will examine the ways in which communications are being integrated with real-time data in business processes such as CRM and ERP.

Netcentrex, the leading enabler of converged voice-video-data networks and next-generation services, and Tiscali GmbH, a subsidiary of Tiscali S.p.A., one of the main independent European telecommunication companies, announced that Tiscali has chosen Netcentrex IMS-based solutions for the roll-out of unbundled telephony services in Germany.

Netcentrex, the leading enabler of converged voice-video-data networks and next-generation services, and France Telecom, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators, announced that France Telecom's residential Voice over IP services, running on Netcentrex solutions, have exceeded 1 million lines in commercial service across 5 countries at the end of 2005: France, UK, Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Telecommunications leader Alphacomm Solutions BV has chosen SysMaster Corporation's Norfa Broadband IP Telephony system to deploy VoIP services across Europe. The new relationship with California-based SysMaster was announced at global exposition CeBIT 2006 in Hannover, Germany, the world's largest IT trade show.

"SysMaster's expertise in deploying VoIP networks and next generation voice/video solutions will provide a proven high-end platform which enables us to accelerate the delivery of revenue generating services and optimize our network infrastructure," said Menko Hoekenga, Managing Director of Alphacomm Solutions BV.

Sandvine Incorporated, world leader in intelligent broadband network management solutions released new VoIP figures based on data aggregated from its North American and European broadband service provider deployments.

Broadband service provider-branded VoIP rollouts were extremely successful in 2005 and have taken the lead in terms of share of VoIP minutes.

For this study conducted in November and December 2005, aggregate data was collected and analyzed from Sandvine's North American and European broadband customer networks where Sandvine is deployed. The data highlighted the VoIP traffic trends of more than 700,000 broadband households from a group of service providers with over 6 million subscribers.

Vonage Marketing, a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp., a leading provider of broadband phone service, today announced the availability of Virtual Numbers with area codes from Austria, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain. European friends, family and business associates residing and working within these nations can now call U.S.-based Vonage customers for the price of a local call.

SkyPilot Networks, a leading provider of carrier-class broadband wireless systems, announced that Costa del Sol Online SL (CDSO), a multi-faceted reseller, system integrator and network operator based in Malaga, Spain, has selected SkyPilot equipment to rollout advanced wireless voice, data and Internet access services across Western Europe. CDSO's network operator subsidiary, Bamboo Telecom, is actively deploying SkyPilot equipment to a large rural subscriber base in Malaga, Spain to deliver voice-over-IP (VOIP) and Internet access services. Based on its own success in building out a service provider network based on SkyPilot gear, CDSO is initially reselling this equipment to network operators in other regions of Spain and Holland in preparation for an aggressive expansion plan across new geographies.

Greenwoods Communications, the UK's leading independent telecoms services company, has been appointed channel partner for ShoreTel’s award-winning VoIP product suite. Greenwoods Communications will be aiming the ShoreTel VoIP telephone system primarily at enterprise customers in the UK where the company can offer a complete supply, installation and support package.

“Greenwoods Communications sees the ShoreTel appointment as a valuable foothold in the SME market where our natural and well-proven strengths in the telecoms field can be used to enhance our product offerings and to provide a springboard for our operations and maintenance services,” comments Peter Skinner, Commercial Director, Greenwoods Communications. “We will also be offering the solution to European multi-nationals where the proven benefits of VoIP can significantly enhance productivity and reduce communications costs.”

neuf Cegetel, the largest alternative operator in France, has deployed a VoIP solution from Nortel to provide carrier-grade voice services over DSL broadband access to businesses and consumers throughout France.

"For neuf Cegetel, VoIP represents a considerable development opportunity for the home subscriber and corporate markets, enabling us to offer innovative services while optimizing our infrastructure costs," said Francois Paulus, general manager, network and marketing division, neuf Cegetel. "Nortel has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality solutions. With their technology and support, we are well equipped to succeed in this very competitive market."