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Having passed rigorous interoperability testing through the Certified XConnect Ready Partner Program, Acme Packet’s Net-Net session border controllers (SBCs) are now certified XConnect Ready, the two companies announced today.

The certification means service providers deploying the SBCs can connect directly to the XConnect (News - Alert) Peering Federations, including the XConnect Alliance, thus enabling them to bypass the PSTN and avoid costly interconnection fees. Aside from the cost savings, they will also benefit through increased service reach, improved signal quality and enhanced security – all of which are advantages gained through VoIP peering.

“We welcome Acme Packet (News - Alert) as a certified XConnect Ready solutions provider,” said Eli Katz, XConnect CEO, in a press release. “Acme Packet customers can now experience rapid ‘Plug&Peer’ interconnects with the award winning XConnect Alliance and Federations, and take advantage of the commercial and operational benefits of multilateral VoIP peering.”

“Session border controllers and VoIP peering providers play a key role in keeping VoIP and IP interactive communication traffic on IP networks rather than transiting the PSTN,” said Seamus Hourihan, vice president marketing and product management at Acme Packet. “Given the proven interoperability as an XConnect Ready Partner, Acme Packet together with XConnect can help bridge VoIP islands in a rapid fashion and deliver secure, high quality and economical interconnects.”

Acme Packet’s Net-Net SBCs are deployed at both subscriber access borders and for IP interconnects at service providers around the world. They enable end-to-end IP calls, PSTN origination and termination services and also facilitate ASP services.

Supporting a range of communications applications at multiple network border points, the SBCs provide key control functions in the areas of security, service reach maximization, service level agreement assurance, revenue and profit protection and regulatory compliance, while at the same time supporting next-generation service architectures such as IMS.

The XConnect Alliance and Federations are carrier-neutral peering services that deliver complete interoperability, ENUM directory management and identity resolution in a secure environment. They provide for the interconnection of XConnect Members, which include voice over broadband providers, application service providers and VoIP carriers.

XConnect made news earlier this month when it announced that it had acquired IPeerX, a leading VoIP peering company owned by Pulver.com Enterprises, for an undisclosed sum.

XConnect’s acquisition of IPeerX, which boasts more than 130 VoIP service providers, brings its total number of service provider customers to more than 300 – many of them in the Netherlands. In addition, it significantly increases the size of XConnect’s ENUM registry – which was also recently fortified when the company acquired e164.info, a Germany-based Carrier ENUM Exchange. According to a press release, the two acquisitions have added more than eight million active VoIP numbers to the XConnect’s ENUM registry, as well as 120 million numbers registered for future use.

Perhaps more importantly, the deal enables XConnect to take on even more VoIP service providers, which adds value to the both the company and the service. As VoIP peering goes, the more service providers and users you have connecting to your peering network, the more everyone stands to gain.

For more information about Acme Packet visit www.acmepacket.com.

For more information about XConnect Global Networks, visit www.xconnect.net.