Verso Technologies, an integrated communications solutions company, has reported that elements of its Clarent PSTN Softswitch solution are being used to provide telecommunications services to the citizens of Baghdad.
A Verso distribution partner based in the Middle East has established one of the first prepaid phone services as a part of the postwar effort to rebuild and restore critical telecommunications infrastructure in Iraq. Two calling centers have been established in downtown Baghdad, allowing Iraqis to place international calls to friends and family outside of Iraq for the first time since the war.
To utilize the new call centers, customers purchase prepaid phone cards from local retail merchants. Service began in August and is expected to expand quickly as demand increases. The new call centers have a capacity of more than 1.2 million minutes per month and are expected to reach 50 percent capacity within the first 30 days of operation.
Verso's Clarent Gateways are used in conjunction with compatible PBX systems to interface to traditional switched networks and supports account management and billing functions. Verso's Clarent PSTN Access Softswitch solution provides public switched telephone network access and Clarent Connect will enable international partner connectivity.
According to the US State Department pre-war Iraq had only about 800,000 phone lines or about three percent penetration of its 24 million plus population. It currently estimates that as many as 500,000 lines may still be in operation, offering only local exchange service. International call services are expected to be in great demand, by both local citizens and members of the Allied Forces as the rebuilding of Iraq continues. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
