Jerusalem-based Internet Telecom, which specializes in developing Internet telephony applications, is developing a switch with interface for normal telephony and for Internet telephony (VOIP) jointly with Bezeq.
The intention is to develop a switch for connecting Bezeq to all players in the market, and between the players themselves. In the future, when part of the services are provided over IP networks, including the services of bodies competing with Bezeq, those bodies will also have to be connected to Bezeq. The joint development of Bezeq and Internet Telecom is designed to overcome this problem.
The general manager of Internet Telecom told "Globes" that the development project is the first in the world of its kind. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2000.
Internet Telecom is the company that developed the VOIP technology, which Israeli company Delta 3 used to deploy the world's first and largest telephony network over the Internet and IP networks.
"Globes" has obtained a letter sent in 1999 by the manager of the Internet telephony department of Bezeq's engineering division, which details Bezeq's VOIP (Internet telephony) policy. The letter states that Bezeq plans to begin providing these services at the end of 2000.
Bezeq's spokesperson said that the company is not involved in the project. She said that the initiative is not serious, and did not pass the lower levels of the company. A senior Bezeq source told "Globes" that the company is not happy with the disclosure of its involvement in the project, since general manager Ilan Biran wants to preserve maximum discretion concerning Bezeq's strategic activity.
Internet Telecom is also cooperating with the Gad Line cable modem company in a unique development of Internet telephony solutions for cable network modems.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on February 20, 2000