Data Access selects VocalTec equipment to deliver ILD services

NEW DELHI: VocalTec Communications Ltd. (VocalTec), a telecom equipment

provider offering packet voice solutions for carriers and service providers, has

announced a multi-million dollar deal to deploy its packet tandem switching

equipment with long distance provider Data Access. Data Access is among the

first licensed international long distance operators in India following the

country's April 1 deregulation. It is also the second largest gateway Internet

service provider in India and provides more than 50 percent of the bandwidth

requirements for ISP's in India.

Data Access is purchasing VocalTec's packetized telephony solution in

anticipation of the deregulation of its principal market in India. "VocalTec

offers Data Access the ability to capture revenue and market share through the

rapid deployment of high quality voice services," said Data Access CEO

Siddhartha Ray. "A true turnkey solution, VocalTec equipment allows us to

immediately offer new services without the delay and expense of a traditional

network build-out."

"Similar to what we have seen in other deregulating countries, we expect

the opening of the Indian market to trigger overall market growth, primarily due

to reduction in prices. As a result, both new and incumbent carriers will have

the opportunity to grow their voice business," said Elon Ganor, CEO and

chairman of VocalTec.

VocalTec has additional equipment installed in India through ITXC's SNARC(SM)

program. Over one billion minutes have traveled over ITXC's global

telecommunications network from its SNARC program. ITXC SNARCs are ITXC-owned

and operated IP telephony equipment co-located at a qualified, licensed

carrier's premise. SNARCs convert calls between circuit-switched networks and

IP, enabling carriers to receive competitive rates and earn additional revenue

for completing phone calls from around the world.