RICHARDSON, Texas -- tekVizion(TM) PVS, Inc., the new standard for systems integration, and Level 3 Communications, today announced that Level 3 has chosen tekVizion to participate in its (3)VoIP(sm) Technology Alliance Program (TAP).

tekVizion and Level 3 also announced that tekVizion Labs now maintains a persistent connection with Level 3's VoIP network in order to provide interoperability testing services. Service providers and vendors now have the option of contracting with tekVizion to complete Level 3's (3) Interop certification process. Level 3 requires completion of the (3) Interop process before a service provider turns up traffic over the Level 3 network, or whenever the service provider or Level 3 adds or upgrades any network components or VoIP services.

The (3)VoIP TAP program formalizes the relationships between Level 3 and a select group of technology vendors and experts in order to help service providers quickly deploy services that are to be interconnected with the Level 3 network.

The (3)VoIP TAP program is designed to speed a provider's time to market by increasing confidence in vendor solutions that have already been proven to (interoperate) with Level 3's wholesale services offering, which include (3)VoIP Enhanced(SM) Local, (3)Voice(R) Termination and (3)VoIPSM Local Inbound services.

Due to the unique resources and capabilities of tekVizion Labs(TM), tekVizion plays a singular role in the (3)VoIP TAP. tekVizion Labs is the first certification lab of its kind to provide independent and objective interoperability certification and testing services for next-generation wireless and wireline products. In addition to testing, tekVizion can provide consulting, integration and support, and customized application development services to service providers connecting to Level 3's network.

"tekVizion is an important participant in the (3)VoIP TAP program," said Bill Steen, director of channel development for Level 3. "tekVizion Labs' testing services are important to helping us rapidly expand the number of products certified as interoperable to the Level 3 network and to bring more traffic onto the network reliably."

"tekVizion is honored to bring its interoperability expertise to its role as a member of the (3)VoIP TAP Program," said Sach Vengurlekar, tekVizion CEO. "This venture is a boon to the entire VoIP industry because it makes it so much easier for service providers to be confident about adding or adapting IP-based services to their existing legacy networks."

TekVizion PVS Inc.