CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Verilink Corporation (Nasdaq: VRLK), a leading provider of broadband access solutions, today announced the introduction of Verilink Professional Services (VPS), a comprehensive services program designed to assist telecommunications carriers in their efforts to accelerate the deployment of services while providing on-going operational support and maintenance services.

Carriers (ILECs, CLECs, IOCs and MSOs) are challenged with increasing competition while pursuing new market and revenue opportunities. Additionally, they face the challenges of numerous technological choices and their impact on network deployment as they pursue next generation IP-based voice, video, and data services. Recognizing these challenges, Verilink has introduced a professional services program featuring a comprehensive set of offerings geared to assist carriers in the design, planning, deployment, and on-going support of services. The Verilink Professional Services team partners with the carrier from the initial design and planning stage through the equipment delivery, installation, configuration, and service turn-up stages. From an on-going support standpoint, the program's key network operations activities include maintenance services, RMA, and equipment inventory management.

Building upon the services foundation established for the largest domestic carrier, Verilink's largest customer, the Professional Services group supports carriers in their efforts to rollout new services within today's strict time and budget constraints. Verilink's custom program structure enables carriers to leverage their in-house resources, augmented by Verilink's efficient process-engineered framework, to ensure success.

"One of the largest differentiators of Verilink's service program is its customizability. Our Professional Services Program is designed to quickly and efficiently tailor our services precisely to the carriers' needs," said David Waters, Vice President of Services for Verilink. "As an example of the impact of our service program in working with a major carrier customer rolling out T1 bundled voice and data services, we have accelerated their service turn-up time by 45%, which in turn, has resulted in reducing service churn by 16%. Additionally, we have improved the customer's service flow by 90% and increased service order accuracy by 65%. As a result of these types of improvements, our professional services engagements create a win-win for the carrier and their end customer, and align to our strategy to become the partner of choice for next generation broadband access solutions."

"Carriers around the globe are challenged to respond to market pressures with price-competitive services while maintaining profitability as well as their leadership with the latest technology and service advancements," said Michael Kennedy, President of Network Strategy Partners. "In this new age of converged communication services, the complexities of installation, service turn-up, and support have placed an unusual burden on service providers who are turning to outsourcing as a means to address these competitive pressures."

Verilink Corp.