Covad Announces Voice and Data Bundle for SMBs that Combines Covad ClearEdge Integrated Access with Cisco(R) Unified CallManager Express; Announcement Made at 2006 Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Washington, DC.WASHINGTON -- Covad Communications Group, Inc. (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :DVW DVW Deutscher Verein für Vermessungswesen eV (German Surveying Association) DVW Dynamic Virtual Worlds ) has introduced a bundled voice and data offering for small-medium businesses (SMBs) that unites two industry-leading IP Communications A general term for networks that use the IP protocol for voice (VoIP) and video traffic. See IP telephony. solutions: Covad ClearEdge Integrated Access and Cisco(R) Unified CallManager Express. The offering was announced today at the 2006 Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Washington D.C. The customer managed IP Communications service is based on Cisco Unified CallManager Express and is built to scale as a SMB (1) (Small to Medium-sized Business) Also called "SME" (small to medium-sized enterprise), it refers to companies that are larger than the small office/home office (SOHO), but not huge. evolves. Further, it provides the foundation and applications SMBs need to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer relationships, and control costs. Features that help businesses manage their telecommunications efforts include auto attendant The part of an interactive voice response (IVR) system that replaces the human operator and directs callers to the appropriate extensions or voice mailboxes. See IVR. , night service bell, call logging, caller ID A telephone company service that sends the caller's telephone number between the first and second ring of the call. If the calling number is not blocked, the calling number is displayed on the handset or base station of the called party. , call monitoring A call center feature that lets managers listen in on agents' calls in order to improve agent performance. Also called "agent monitoring" and "call logging," it can be done in real time with or without the agent's knowledge, or calls can be recorded for later retrieval. , call forwarding call forwarding n. A telephone service that enables a customer to have an incoming call automatically rerouted to another extension. Noun 1. , call pickup, dual-line appearances, and hunt groups. The solution also provides SMBs with a solid foundation for the addition of advanced communications capabilities such as video telephony See videophone. , rich-media conferencing, unified messaging and softphone integration. "Cisco Unified CallManager Express and Covad ClearEdge Integrated Access give small companies like ours a reliable, flexible voice-and-data service," says Brian Blanton, vice president of business administration for HIS Communications Services, which has successfully deployed the bundled offer. "Dynamic bandwidth allocation Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) is a technique by which traffic bandwidth in a shared telecommunications medium can be allocated on demand and fairly between different users of that bandwidth. , enabled by Covad's voice optimized access product, is also a significant benefit for our business. Voice calls are always prioritized over data traffic, so our call quality does not diminish when, for example, an email with a very large attachment comes through. If nobody is on the phone, then the entire circuit is available for the Internet, increasing access speed. And if we hire new people, we do not need to add circuits or make any other changes to our network. The combination of Cisco and Covad is the best for our business." Covad ClearEdge Integrated Access combines voice and data on a single, integrated connection to deliver voice over IP, broadband, email and Web hosting services on one bill. This acts as a consolidated point of contact for support and offers the potential for a significant discount over the local phone company's loosely coupled voice and data services. The service also features an optional Covad Integrated Access Dashboard, a Web-accessible interface equipped with a full range of powerful communication and productivity tools. The Cisco Unified CallManager Express solution is embedded in the Cisco Internet Services Router that provides call processing for Cisco Unified IP phones. The Cisco Unified Communications solution delivers a comprehensive set of features commonly used by business customers, facilitating the deployment of a cost-effective and highly reliable unified communications solution for the SMB. Cisco Unified CallManager Express and integrated services routers for the solution will be sold, deployed and maintained by authorized Cisco and Covad partners. "Together, Covad and Cisco provide big business communications for SMBs with a comprehensive, flexible, end-to-end voice and data solution that increases customer responsiveness and reduces operational costs. It also offers Covad and Cisco channel partners the opportunity to earn both up-front margins on Cisco equipment and ongoing commissions from Covad," said Eric Weiss, chief marketing officer for Covad, a member of the Cisco Powered Network program. "This joint offering will increase our presence in the $30 billion small business communications market." "Covad's customer focus led it to develop this offering specifically for SMBs that require smart, simple and secure communications services," said Vic Northrup, vice president of service provider operations for Cisco. "This offering gives these businesses exactly what they need in a managed unified communications service -- feature-rich call processing, integrated voicemail, and basic auto attendant, as well as advanced high-touch customer service applications, allowing them to get the best of to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly. - Milton. See also: Best both the hosted and the premise-based communications solution." About Covad Covad is a leading nationwide provider of integrated voice and data communications. The company offers DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary , Voice Over IP, T1, Web hosting, managed security, IP and dial-up, and bundled voice and data services directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. , value-added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad broadband services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 57 million homes and businesses, which represent over 50 percent of all US homes and businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 110 Rio Robles Robles is a common surname in the Spanish language meaning oaks, and may refer to:
Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995: The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's current information and beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management. Examples of forward-looking statements include expectations regarding Covad increasing its presence in the small-business communications market and the addition of advanced communications capabilities such as video telephony, rich-media conferencing, unified messaging and softphone integration. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Covad's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risk factors include the ability of Covad to sell and deliver its services efficiently to small-medium businesses, to effectively compete with other providers of voice and broadband services, and to maintain an efficient cost structure, as well as potential changes in telecommunications regulations, among other risks. For a more detailed description of the risk factors that could cause such a difference, please see Covad's 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Covad disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of Covad. |
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