Does Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) have its eye on NexTone Communications Inc. as a possible ticket into the VOIP session controller market? (See Cisco Looking for Control?)

It's certainly getting cozier with the startup, judging by a couple of recent announcements.

First, Peru-based VOIP carrier Convergia announced it is using NexTone's session controllers to help scale its implementation of Cisco VOIP gateways (see NexTone Solves Cisco VOIP Shortcoming).

Then global VOIP carrier ITXC Corp. (Nasdaq: ITXC) reveals it has chosen NexTone's session controllers and Cisco's IP-to-IP gateway to manage IP peering between its carrier partners (see ITXC Picks Cisco for VOIP Peering, ITXC Deploys NexTone).

Coincidence?

To find out more, see the full story on our sister site Boardwatch.

— Jo Maitland, Senior Editor, Boardwatch