10:45 PM -- Nortel Networks Ltd. has plenty on its plate as it restructures, but maybe it will rest easier knowing that Cox Communications Inc. , one of its bigger cable partners, isn't about to kick the vendor while it's down. (See Should Nortel Be Sold for Parts?, Nortel Files for Bankruptcy Protection, and Need Gear? Call ABN.)

Cox, some might remember, uses PacketCable-qualified softswitches to power a portion of its VoIP services. [Ed. note: Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) also supplies such gear to the MSO.] More recently, Cox and Nortel forged an agreement to team on the selling of business-class services in the MSO's footprint. (See Nortel Ups the Ante on Cable VOIP, Cox Chooses Nortel and Nuera, and Cox Biz: Cable's Next Billionaire? )

For now, status quo rules.

"We are hopeful that Nortel can emerge from Chapter 11 even stronger, and at this time do not anticipate changing our relationship with them," Cox said in a statement. "We feel Nortel's equipment remains among the best in the business and Cox will continue to maintain regular contact with Nortel as part of normal business operations."

I honestly forgot to pose a similar status question today to Charter Communications Inc. , which also uses Nortel for VoIP. (See Charter Picks Nortel VOIP Gear.)

Then again, Charter's a bit preoccupied with other things these days, and might not be all that concerned about the financial condition of one of its VoIP suppliers. (See Charter Misses Interest Payment, Tracking Charter , and Charter Seeking 'Financial Alternatives' .)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Cable Digital News