BT and Sonus hook up on conferencing

BT is to deploy Sonus Networks' scalable conferencing platform in its global network, the companies announced on Monday.

Sonus's platform allows users to organise conferences without the need for reservations, and can be scaled up or down to meet demand. Users can also use a single set of access numbers for the service.

 The company is known mainly for its softswitches, and its GSX 9000 open services switch and PSX call-routing server are included in the BT tie-in. 

Aaron McCormack, BT Conferencing's chief executive, said on Monday that Sonus's platform was "an important additional feature to [our] conferencing and collaboration portfolio".

"Sonus is excited to be partnering with BT Conferencing to deliver feature-rich voice services to business users throughout the UK," said Sonus's president, Hassan Ahmed, on Monday. "By deploying a Sonus-powered conferencing service, BT Conferencing will be able to offer a more robust end-user experience, while reaping the benefits of improved operational efficiencies."

BT will first roll out the new service in the US, then across its global network over the next year, the company said.