Power to InPurple
Switch IP product promises QoS over broadband
Switch IP has launched an IP VPN-based WAN that offers QoS over broadband.
Stephen North, a director of Switch IP, which is owned by reseller Switch Communications, claimed: "This is the first secure, affordable broadband network with QoS for voice, data and videoconferencing."
The firm is recruiting resellers for a wholesale version of the service, called InPurple, and will offer a version for straight resale later this year. It has sold direct so far to establish a market, but is now switching to channel operations, North added.
Switch IP has pitched the product as offering voice and data networking. North said it also intends to provide capability for videoconferencing.
Cisco also is pushing a videoconferencing line through its Avvid architecture.
Maren Bennette, IP communications programme manager for the UK and Eire at Cisco, said companies are looking to provide video on their networks.
But she added: "I don't see everyone with a videophone on their desks tomorrow."
North said the nearest equivalent to Switch IP's offering was BT IP Clear, although the Switch IP product works at ATM Layer 2 using Private Virtual Circuits rather than BT's IP VPN services. BT launched IP Clear, a bare-bones VPN service, in 2002.
Chris Jagusz, BT Indirect Channels' chapter manager, claimed BT's Multiprotocol Label Switching Network is government-approved. "It's very secure, and integrates with Frame and ATM. We can offer broadband and a 100Mbits Ethernet connection too," he said.
SwitchIP said it offers service-level agreements and a network operations centre for customers and resellers.