By Paula Bernier
Posted on: 10/11/2004

In separate deals, CLECs Budget Phone Inc. and Pine Tree Networks have deployed Tekelec’s 3000 Multimedia Gateway Controller and 8000 Multimedia Gateway products.

Budget Phone, out of Shreveport, La., installed the multimedia gateway and controller in May 2004 when its prepaid calling card subscriber base outgrew the capacity of its existing platform.The Tekelec platform now manages all of Budget’s inbound and outbound call traffic and provides real-time updates to the operator’s prepaid call application service. Tekelec’s switching solution allows Budget Phone to offer long-distance services and will serve as the foundation for future applications.

Country Road Communications deployed the gateway controller and gateway for its Pine Tree Networks property in Portland, Maine. The Tekelec switch went live in April 2004 to serve Pine Tree’s growing local and long-distance voice traffic. The platform now manages all of the carrier’s competition long-distance services and supports all new Class 4 traffic.

The Tekelec 3000 and 8000 platforms comprise a next-generation switching solution supporting full-feature IXC tandem, Class 4/5 PRI offload, packet/cell switching, and voice over broadband services on a single platform. It has both circuit and packet fabrics and supports all regulatory requirements of a legacy system. Tekelec acquired the gateway controller through its purchase of Santera.