Kenya–Based ISP Wananchi Selects VocalTec For Its Evolution To Triple-Play Services

VocalTec Communications Ltd. (NasdaqCM: VOCL), a global provider of end-to-end VoIP and Convergence solutions for communication service providers, today announced that Wananchi, a Kenya-based Internet Service Provider (ISP), has selected VocalTec’s VoIP solutions, as part of its plan to launch the country’s first triple-play service.

VocalTec will be providing its core Voice-over-IP solution together with a wide range of supporting applications and prepaid billing solutions. This comprehensive offering will enable Wananchi Group to provide VoIP services to both enterprise and residential users in Kenya and Tanzania, under the SimbaNET and Zuku brands. Using VocalTec's Class-5, Essentra™ BAX Application Server, Wananchi will be able to offer its subscribers the latest in IP telephony services, including an extensive set of applications. These include voicemail, fax, conferencing and others. The deployment also incorporates VocalTec’s Essentra™ EX, Peering Manager, and Essentra CX, Media Gateway Controller, which provide complete Class-4 capabilities including secure interconnection between disparate VoIP networks, as well as seamless interconnection to legacy PSTN environments.

"Launching complex VoIP services in Kenya and Tanzania is essential to our advancement," commented Euan F. D. Fannell, CEO of Wananchi Group. "VocalTec showcases its strength in emerging markets by serving as the central component in fulfilling our goal of becoming the first triple-play provider in the region. We see VocalTec as a strong and committed partner in our quest, and we value their extensive experience in building VoIP networks.”

"We are very excited about the partnership with Wananchi Group," said Ido Gur, President and CEO of VocalTec. “Our experience and product capabilities will help Wananchi to develop its triple-play business rapidly and cost-effectively, by enabling fast time to market, with maximum interoperability and connectivity to other carriers' networks. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to further assist Wananchi in continuing its future expansion plans into new markets and technologies.”