Tech Tip - VOIP and MPLS

VOIP and MPLS Team for a Total Solution

Demand for voice communications over IP networks continues to increase, as does the functionality and quality of the voice over IP phone systems. Voice travels in packets over the same facility and in the same manner as data. Users make and receive calls as they would with traditional voice. The lower cost of the VOIP technology, including the elimination of long distance charges, is prompting businesses to migrate to this packet based technology.

In a VOIP solution, voice is broken into packets and must be transported over a network that will provide the priority necessary to deliver these time sensitive packets. US Signal Multiprotocol Label Switching Virtual Private Network (MPLS VPN), a private IP protected network, provides everything that an organization needs to complete their solution. Additional features like Quality of Service (QoS) that ensures reliable transmission of time sensitive traffic, such as voice, provides US Signal MPLS VPN the prioritization needed to make each VOIP solution a complete success. In fact, QoS divides customer traffic into four classes that are given different priorities over the US Signal IP network. With US Signal’s offering, facility and port performance are measured using latency, packet loss, jitter and availability. These parameters are very important when transporting time sensitive voice packets. Therefore, SLAs are included to guarantee 99.999% reliability and network performance. In addition, MPLS provides the customer with a fully meshed, “any-to-any” network solution that is flexible, cost efficient and secure. It is also easy to add additional sites, or to upgrade the bandwidth, of existing customer locations.

MPLS-based networks and VoIP are two of the hottest topics for networking professionals who are becoming more application aware and are moving toward a unified IT environment that is dynamic. To learn more, please talk with a US Signal Channel Manager.

Market Expansions

US Signal Network Expansion

In the first quarter 2009, US Signal announced network expansion into two Midwest markets. The Fox Valley region (Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh in Northern Wisconsin) was added to the network in late February. In March, the Toledo, Ohio metro market was added providing the first point of presence (PoP) in Ohio for US Signal.

“We are pleased to continue our network expansion in Wisconsin and Ohio,” said Stephen Oyer, US Signal’s executive vice president of sales. “Increasing the density of on-off ramps throughout our footprint is critical to US Signal’s strategy of responding to customer demand. The expansion also provides us with a strong foundation for the introduction of new products and services.”

US Signal’s expansion of its network introduces service access at the following locations:

• Green Bay, Wis. - GNBYWI01
• Oshkosh, Wis. - OSHKWI01
• Appleton, Wis - AAPLWI01
• Toledo, Ohio - TOLDOH21

US Signal’s network now includes more than 700 miles of fiber optic metro rings in 14 markets, and more than 5,000 route miles of long haul fiber connecting markets in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The US Signal network provides more than 100 on-off ramps, comprised of major carrier hotel locations and incumbent telephone company central offices.

Ethernet over Copper

Ethernet over Copper Market Deployment Continues

US Signal’s Ethernet over Copper (EoCu) footprint has expanded to the following four markets: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Wis. and Toledo, Ohio.

US Signal’s Ethernet over Copper provides customers with access to bandwidth up to 20 Mbps matched with Ethernet simplicity and ease of management. Using traditional copper lines and access-loops, Ethernet over Copper is designed to be used with US Signal’s Dedicated Internet, MPLS VPN and Virtual Ethernet Service products. US Signal will be utilizing ADTRAN’s Total Access 5000 Ethernet Aggregation Platform to provide the copper-based Metro Ethernet extensions.

The expansion of Ethernet over Copper access gives customers in these markets a more affordable option to connect to the US Signal network,” said Kirk Dombek, director of product development for US Signal. “Ethernet over Copper access provides a cost-effective alternative for lower bandwidth solutions that have historically required expensive bonded T1 and DS3 loops.”

EoCu Dedicated Internet Promotions

10Mbps Dedicated Internet Access for $775

Ethernet over Copper Provides:

• Symmetrical Bandwidth
• Static IP Address
• Carrier Class SLA
• Great Scalable Value

Offer subject to availability, contact your US Signal Channel Sales Manager.  Offer expires 6/1/2009.