NTT Com to Launch Voice/Video

TOKYO -- NTT Communications (TSE; 9432; "NTT Com") announced today that it will begin from July 9, 2004 a new IP-based service package combining voice and video communications (G-V2oIP) under its Arcstar Global IP-VPN service operating on NTT Com's flagship MPLS network.

Under this service package, NTT Com provides free VoIP-based voice communications on private corporate networks (on-net calling) spanning the globe, outgoing call placement to the public network (off-net calling), a teleconferencing service (including a collaboration function1 that allows conference participants to share screen images), and a videoconferencing service. The services are made possible by the call agent function2 incorporated within G-V2oIP running on an Arcstar Global IP-VPN. This function enables configuring an international corporate voice network even when branch offices have different VoIP environments.

Previously offered separately, the voice and video services are now integrated on the same communication platform. The customer will benefit from this integration in terms of much-improved convenience, productivity and reduced total cost of ownership.

G-V2oIP supports multiple vendors and multiple protocols, an important feature in achieving a seamless transition between VoIP environments that may vary depending on the branch office location and equipment. Therefore, this benefits those customers wishing to initially operate the service in a mixed PBX and IP-PBX environment as they gradually migrate from PBX to full IP-PBX.

Centralized call control between VoIP systems enables NTT Com to respond to any changes in the customer's network configuration promptly, and provide traffic reporting.

Vendors currently supported are NEC, Avaya and Cisco (with this number to be steadily increased in the future). SIP and H.323 protocols are supported. The full on-net service is scheduled to be available in 88 countries (with off-net calling possible to destinations in 220 countries and regions throughout the world).

"I am extremely confident in the advantages of G-V2oIP which is an extension of NTT Com's superior technological and business expertise garnered from developing and operating the company's highly successful MPLS-based IP-VPN service," said Mr. Kimio Tamura, Vice President of the Product Management Group at the Global Services Business Division. "The rapid progress by multinational corporations in deploying and expanding services in Asia, one of the world's strongest growth regions, positions these customers to substantially benefit from the voice and video service package when setting up new small-scale operational bases."

NTT Communications Corp.