Global Crossing and SunRocket, one of the nation's leading Internet phone service providers, have implemented an industry-changing VoIP peering solution that will give customers high-performing, end-to-end IP connectivity for IP services, while bypassing the usage fees associated with completing calls via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

"Global Crossing's efforts to implement VoIP peering arrangements with like-minded companies is nothing short of industry-changing," said Anthony Christie, Global Crossing's chief marketing officer. "Customers tell us they want end-to-end IP solutions that eliminate the need to complete calls on the PSTN. That's why we're aggressively pursuing VoIP peering arrangements with other VoIP service providers such as SunRocket, who share our vision. We expect other industry leaders to embrace our viewpoint and form similar peering arrangements with us. Together, we can unleash the full potential of enhanced IP communications solutions to deliver innovative new services and products."

Both Global Crossing and SunRocket support the development of VoIP peering solutions in the industry and the need for an open-standards peering model. VoIP peering reduces complexity by providing end-to-end IP guarantees, so IP- enabled features will work through peering points. VoIP peering can also create disruptive pricing models for voice calling versus the pricing models commonly associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network model. This solution removes the per-minute usage access component, delivering a more predictable cost structure and higher operating margins on VoIP services.

"SunRocket strongly believes that the future of VoIP peering rests upon an open standards-based model rather than a replication of the legacy PSTN approach, and we hope others within the VoIP industry join our call to implement true VoIP peering that fosters new pricing models, new addressing schemes, and promotes the interoperability of voice with other Internet-based communications services," said Mark Fedor, chief technology officer for SunRocket. "Peering with Global Crossing reflects our shared vision and reaffirms our commitment to delivering innovative, next-generation services based on higher quality end-to-end IP connectivity to our growing subscriber base."

Collaboration between leading Internet phone service providers will continue to reduce the inefficiencies of "VoIP islands." Islands of VoIP can occur in a VoIP-over-PSTN solution. This is significant because many VoIP deployments still depend on the PSTN to carry the voice signal during part of its journey, and this reliance on PSTN networks has created "VoIP islands" that do not link together. Linking these islands directly to one another using IP has proven to be an industry challenge. Global Crossing has overcome this challenge to further help its customers provide advanced VoIP features.

Another obstacle for VoIP providers such as SunRocket is how they access emerging peering points. Because Global Crossing designed an MPLS-based IP VPN connection, SunRocket will be able to seamlessly connect to additional peering points by accessing Global Crossing's IP VPN service through its existing VoIP connection on the Global Crossing network. It also eliminates any need for network expansion or additional connections.

Global Crossing's converged IP solutions supported the launch of SunRocket's fast-growing residential Internet phone service. Through the use of Global Crossing's converged IP solutions, including VoIP Outbound, VoIP Local, IP Transit and network services, SunRocket has become a market leader in consumer-based VoIP services. SunRocket is continuing to support its offers now by implementing the VoIP Community Peering feature pertaining to Global Crossing VoIP Outbound service. This will help them avoid using the PSTN when possible, remove the traditional cost-per-minute usage charge associated with the PSTN and avoid the "islands of VoIP" providers experience when completing calls outside of their network.

Executives from both companies will describe the scope of this implementation this week at the Fall VON trade show in Boston on Tuesday, September 12, at 2:15 p.m., in the VON Solutions Theater. The case study will detail the innovative IP convergence strategies and solutions the two companies are devising. A follow-up interview with the two companies will be re-broadcast by podcast shortly thereafter. For more information about this and other podcasts, visit http://blogs.globalcrossing.com/podcasts/.