PARIS -- Leveraging the reach of existing school data networks, Verizon and Alcatel are deploying a 27,000-line Internet protocol (IP) telephony system for the Clark County School District (CCSD) that will connect more than 300 schools and administrative facilities. The IP telephony system, one of the world's largest, will connect every classroom and administrator and deliver enhanced communications and security capabilities, as well as improve reliability, streamline management and provide flexibility for the growing school district.

The sixth-largest school district in the United States, CCSD encompasses the city of Las Vegas and surrounding environs. CCSD has an enrollment of almost 268,000 students and employs nearly 30,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel.

To date, approximately one-quarter of CCSD's schools and facilities have been brought on line, with two to three locations added to the IP telephony network per week. The contract, valued at more than $15 million over three years, covers all Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise hardware and software, as well as Verizon-provided professional services such as network assessments, project management and installation. In addition, Verizon and Alcatel provide on-site technical support, training and on-going maintenance.

According to St. Louis-based Dietrich Lockard Group, Inc., an independent management consulting firm specializing in voice, video and data networking retained by CCSD, the school district could save more than $2 million per year by converging its voice and data networks.

"After reviewing several proposals, it became apparent that the Verizon-Alcatel solution was best-suited to provide the district with consistent management across all 300 locations without expensive wiring upgrades," said Dr. Philip Brody, chief technology officer, Clark County School District. "Verizon and Alcatel clearly demonstrated the ability to provide the level of support required to undertake an IP telephony deployment of this magnitude and the Alcatel's dual IP/TDM architecture gives us the flexibility to deploy a combination of digital and IP handsets throughout all district facilities."

According to Eric Bruno, vice president - marketing, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, the deployment of IP telephony by CCSD highlights the growing popularity of the technology within the education vertical market, where robust yet economical communications are required. "Schools find that merging computer and telephone traffic over the same network enable them to connect every teacher, classroom and administrator. Converging these networks helps maximize internal and external communications in a cost-effective manner."

Tom Wilburn, general manager Alcatel North America enterprise business, said, "When considering voice and data convergence, customers want choice as to when, where and how to deploy IP telephony. The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise offers customers such as Clark County School District that flexibility. The OmniPCX Enterprise excels in its ability to support both digital and IP telephones, provide a full feature set within a single system as well as across networked environments, and scale from small branch locations to very large configurations."

Alcatel SA

Verizon Communications Inc.