February 1, 2008
Ann Arbor, MI. – Merit Network, for 40 years the most advanced research and educational network, announced today the introduction of MeritVoice, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service optimized for Educational, Research, Library and Health Care organizations. In Partnership with TelNet Worldwide, Inc., of Michigan, Merit will provide a comprehensive suite of IP telephony services as turnkey hosted solutions, or via direct connection to existing phone systems.
Don Welch, CEO of Merit, commented, “I am very excited that Merit and TelNet Worldwide are partnering to better support the research, education, and health care communities. Converged services – voice, video and data – usher in a new era of communication and savings in a difficult economy.”
Mark Iannuzzi is president of TelNet. “Multiservice networking is a growing area of importance for institutions of every type and size,” Iannuzzi said, “because converged networks allow organizations to do more with less. The unification of voice service means a better infrastructure system as well as accessibility to a new, rich array of applications and features which work as one.”
Rob Golden, Merit’s director of product development and research also emphasized the impact both VoIP services and the partnership will have on Michigan: “We are dedicated to providing high reliability, superior quality and the most forward looking services, while taking down the barriers to using VoIP technology. This partnership with Telnet will dramatically advance our service delivery capability.”
MeritVoice offers the savings and flexibility of IP voice service to any organization regardless of their current phone technology. Non-digital phone systems are supported as effectively as state-of-the-art PBX equipment with MeritVoice. MeritVoice pricing is equally revolutionary in the cost savings it delivers, with most connecting equipment provided by Merit at no additional cost.
“This partnership raises the standard of VoIP services,” said Golden. “With an exceptional peering arrangement that means our member’s voice and data traffic will pass through Merit’s private network as opposed to the general Internet. We are uniquely positioned to bring high speed and highly coveted services to all of Michigan. The service will optimize our members’ network efficiency and lead the way to unified communications.”
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations. For more information: www.merit.edu
About TelNet Worldwide
TelNet Worldwide, Inc. is a comprehensive telecommunications service provider, offering a robust portfolio of communication services, since 1998. With TelNet’s state-of the-art application suite and information management tools, businesses are able to deploy and utilize essential telecommunications services simply and affordably. www.telnetww.com
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