Kenya`s leading business communications provider, UUNET, today formally launched a high-quality, low-risk voice communications solution for business organisations.
The new solution will enable businesses to make a smooth transition from separate voice and data communication networks to a single network while making huge cost savings in their overall communication costs.
Companies can make savings of up to 70% depending on how their current communications network is configured. The solution uses voice over IP (VOIP) technology to carry voice calls over existing data networks and the Internet, thus offering users vast cost savings on their current telephone bills.
UUNET Kenya has partnered with the one of the world`s leading VOIP solutions firm, Quintum Technologies of America, to deliver this solution.
Henry Njoroge, managing director at UUNET Kenya, says: "Every business person wants to reduce their communication costs. However, they are unsure of the effects of merging their voice and data networks for fear that the quality of voice calls may be compromised. With UUNET`s risk-free VOIP solutions, there is no need to worry. Indeed, the voice quality on our solution is identical to the normal PSTN calls. Our risk-free VOIP solutions use existing PABX and telephone infrastructure to intelligently route inter-branch calls through the data network while retaining the existing voice lines as a backup. This of course means fewer bills for the same calls."
"We have invested heavily in training our personnel at Quintum headquarters in New Jersey, USA, and now have the requisite know-how to implement risk-free VOIP for companies. Our partnership with Quintum Technologies, the global leader in VOIP technology, will further serve to reduce the risk commonly associated with migration from one network to another," he adds.
UUNET Kenya becomes the first local communications company to offer a risk-free VOIP solution in the liberalised arena and is the only authorised value-added reseller for Quintum Technologies` range of VOIP solutions in the East and Central African region.
Njoroge continues: "Kenyan business managers have been demanding cost-effective and reliable communications services especially after the licensing of independent backbone and gateway providers. The subsequent decision by the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) to allow VOIP within closed user groups, just served to increase the decibels. UUNET Kenya is rising up to meet these needs by innovative products such as risk-free VOIP in partnership with world-class solutions provider, Quintum Technologies."
Peter Mwondi, IP Solutions Manager at UUNET, says: "Our partner, Quintum Technologies, specialises in voice over IP technologies that bring high levels of reliability and voice quality to Internet-based telephony. Its Tenor VOIP MultiPath switches and gateways are designed to help organisations of all sizes achieve a risk-free migration from two networks to one."
VOIP technology converts the analogue signal of a voice call into digital packets that are compressed and sent over the Internet or a private network. At the other end, the packets are re-converted into voice to complete the communication. "Our preliminary research indicates that the risk-free VOIP is highly attractive to most businesses in Kenya because they do not have to invest in totally new equipment to be up and running," continues Mwondi.
One of the strongest advantages of this solution is that it eliminates inherent risks in migrating from public telephone networks to VOIP such that companies can make reasonable cost savings. The product`s features include PSTN failover that eliminates risk from data network failure and congestion and `plug-and-play` installation into existing data and telecom networks.
"With ever-growing operational costs and competition, businesses must take advantage of cost-effective IT solutions that deliver the best return on investment. They must carefully consider the possible risks of outsourcing different elements of their communications networks as well as the benefits of merging them into one network. Ultimately, VOIP will become a standard communication technology that will enable most businesses to communicate more cost-effectively, not only internally but to customers and suppliers alike," concludes Mwondi.
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UUNET Kenya, an MCI and African Lakes Company, is Kenya`s leading provider of Internet-based network solutions and through its shareholding is one of the largest global carriers of Internet traffic. The company provides Internet connectivity and corporate network solutions to major corporations as well as access services to Internet service providers. All UUNET Kenya products and solutions are delivered within the required regulatory conditions. For more information, please visit the UUNET Kenya Web site at www.uunet.co.ke.
MCI
MCI, Inc (NASDAQ: MCIP) is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovation, cost-effective advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry`s most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points-of-presence, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today`s markets. For more information, visit www.mci.com.
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