Telkom has upgraded its previous Verso Class 4 solution, which included its BHG2500 media gateway for its international wholesale traffic, with Verso's Clarent Edge Access Class 5 softswitch solution.

Says Lulu Letlape, Telkom's group executive for corporate communication: 'Verso equipment has only been used in the international market, and for specific solutions, such as the PC-to-PC voice service and internationally hosted call centers, and for international VOIP. Verso is therefore only a partner for these solutions.'

According to Terry Sanderson, Verso's sales director for sub-Saharan Africa, the upgrade will give Telkom the ability to offer end-users PC-to-PC calling capability, which will allow the company to leverage its VOIP investments and create new revenue opportunities. 'This deal is the first stage of providing IP Telephony for the mass market, taking Telkom's capability for its international wholesale gateway to the next level and an edge access solution,' he adds.

Sanderson says that Telkom Internet subscribers are now able to make free PC-to-PC VOIP calls to five other Telkom Internet subscribers by simply downloading TelkomInternet communicator software from Telkom's Web site.

Letlape adds: 'There is no plan to deploy Verso equipment in the National Public VOIP network. The softswitch in the National Public VOIP network is the Siemens HIE9200, and it will only interconnect with the existing international Verso equipment for international traffic.'