IBM launches VoIP network services

SAN FRANCISCO: Seeking to remain the network consulting market's leader, IBM Corp. said it would sell new services that will allow business customers to transfer telephone calls to voice-over-Internet Protocol networks.

The services will help customers plan and package telephone systems -- including voicemail, faxes and call-centers -- on a single Internet Protocol-based network, which holds the promise of cutting long-distance costs while delivering online services.

IBM had largely steered clear of the under-performing voice-over-IP market, but the company said it was ready for a more aggressive push because new technology is being developed for it and businesses are desperate to cut costs. The company said its network consulting, integration and deployment services package was currently available.

Yves Lozach, IBM's director of networking services, said that IP telephony services will help the company hold on to and expand its share of the network consulting and integration market, which market research firm IDC has estimated was 17.7 percent last year.

"We are very keen on keeping that," Lozach told Reuters on the market share figure. "In order to do this, we need to focus on fast growing segments." IDC has forecast the market for IP telephony services will grow 49 percent annually to $40.9 billion in 2007, Lozach said.

Lozach noted that IBM is working toward integrating its voice and data networks, and has deployed IP telephony systems based on technology from networking industry leader Cisco Systems Inc. at facilities in Toronto, Singapore, Calgary, Tel Aviv and Dubai.

© Reuters