Equant launches global voice and data service

NEWS Equant, the global data and voice carrier which grew out of the Sita airline communications network, this week announced iVAD, which it describes as a fully integrated and managed global voice and data offering. The next generation carrier - now based in Atlanta, but with a Dutch parent company - hopes iVAD will bring more multinationals to its far-reaching network. The bulk of the company's 600 or so customers are already from this high-margin sector. Commenting on Equant's use of frame relay technology, Kevin Formby, vice president of Network Services, told Silicon.com: "Frame relay is a strength for us right now, but we look at it as on the roadmap to IP." He added: "Obviously the whole telecoms industry is looking at a flip. Our network is already 90 per cent data, and 10 per cent voice, whereas some carriers are looking at the reverse." However, Roger Runswick, director at telecoms consultancy Schema, said: "Their network is mostly data because they were a data-only company originally." Runswick said that Equant should keep its eyes on IP, as it is one of the technologies of the future, but the carrier is right in thinking voice over IP is not quite there yet. iVAD charges are based on how much data a customer trasmits, rather than the time spent online, prompting Equant's claims that it is up to 20 to 40 per cent cheaper than its rivals. More contentious is the company's view it is ahead of other next-generation carriers such as US-based Qwest and Level 3. According to Brunswick: "Equant might say it has had a lot of good experience, but Qwest and others are building their own green field networks, and that gives them a lot of advantages."