Verizon Global Wholesale is now offering additional functionality for three of its product platforms, providing voice-over-Internet-protocol customers with a secure connection for transmitting information over the Internet and other public networks.

This new functionality enables the product platforms -- SIP Gateway Service, Advanced Toll Free IP Termination and Carrier IP Termination Transport -- to share a single, secure virtual private network connection called an IP Security tunnel. Currently, Verizon is the only major provider offering this connection, which provides additional security during call setup. Because IPSec is an industry standard and supported by most major equipment vendors, there is no need to create vendor-specific security protocols.

An IPSec tunnel maintains integrity and confidentiality because all data is encrypted prior to transmission, then authenticated upon receipt to verify the data has not been altered. The source of the data is also authenticated to prevent the possibility of such security breaches as "spoofing" an IP address – a fraudulent network technique in which a program or person masquerades as another.

Verizon's wholesale VoIP products continue to grow as more customers migrate from traditional voice platforms to IP platforms while taking advantage of the quality and extensive reach of the Verizon network.

Verizon's SIP Gateway Service, which carries billions of minutes of use each quarter, comes in four configurations: Inbound Complete, Two-Way Local, Two-Way Complete and Outbound.

SIP Gateway Services are complemented by Carrier IP Termination Service. This offering allows customers to take advantage of the cost savings of originating long-distance traffic and terminating that traffic via SIP protocol over a global network.

Verizon's Advanced Toll Free Service, which has been growing since its introduction in 2008, allows U.S.-based customers to support toll-free calling solutions on a global basis. Verizon's International Toll Free Service supports in-country toll-free dialing outside the U.S. across more than 80 countries and Universal International Freefone Numbers across more than 40 countries, giving customers a superior offering that combines expansive coverage with flexible configurations and robust features.