The promise of Unified Communications (UC) and Fixed-Mobile Convergence (News - Alert) (FMC) is that various media can be brought together into one interface or system, and that the user can roam between various networks while still having access to the same applications, regardless of whether one is using fixed-line or mobile networks. Industry critics have argued that such mobility and integration of technologies lead to serious security and other issues that are beyond the capabilities of legacy network equipment and the encryption capabilities in the UC devices themselves (e.g. weaknesses in the SIP protocol). That’s why, today, U4EA Technologies announced that it’s partnering with Tango Networks (News - Alert) to deliver interoperability between the U4EA Fusion 200 and 400 Series Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and the Tango Abrazo unified communications solution.

U4EA (News - Alert) Technologies (www.u4eatech.com) is a major vendor of integrated access technology for converged communications, known for their U4EA Fusion Session Border Controllers (SBCs), which are actually more sophisticated than a conventional SBC: Called Multi-Service Business Gateways (MSBGs), they combine the functions of a SIP session controller, router, switch, firewall, IDS (Intrusion Detection System), VoIP gateway, QoS and OA&M into a single device for the delivery of converged VoIP, data, and video services. U4EA’s Fusion Series was developed specifically for SIP-based next-gen networks carrying multiple types of real-time applications coexisting with data and other streaming IP media. The Fusion Series are essentially “one-box” solutions that deliver high-performance QoS, IP security (via IPsec), and Firewall/Network Address Translation (FW/NAT). The Fusion Series is supported by U4EA’s quality of service technology, GoS™ (Guarantee of Service), which guarantees service quality for applications of multiple media types — such as voice, data, video, and collaboration — all accessible through a single fixed or wireless access link or WAN pipe. Business continuity can be achieved through the use of multiple access links that include wireless.

Tango Networks (www.tango-networks.com) offers the Abrazo from Tango Networks, a Unified Communications (UC) and Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution for both enterprises and carriers that “marries” mobile phones to an enterprise PBX via any wireless network, giving employees, a single phone number for both their mobile and desk phones, a single voice mailbox and access to the advanced calling features and money-saving corporate dialing plans enabled by the corporate PBX (News - Alert).

“We are delighted to work with Tango Networks, whose Abrazo solution works with any phone and any PBX for true fixed-mobile convergence,” said Ken Epps, CEO of U4EA. “Tango understands the mobility needs of enterprises, and by partnering with U4EA, the companies can deliver a simplified, cost-efficient alternative to the multi-box approach. The combination of U4EA’s patented QoS and session control with the Tango Abrazo will provide customers with a solution that guarantees security and quality.”

Al Leo, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Tango Networks, added, “We are pleased to have U4EA added to our partner ecosystem. U4EA provides a cost-efficient single-box solution for enterprises and service providers who choose the Tango Abrazo solution. U4EA’s unique QoS makes its solutions ideal for unified communications, and we will look to expand our collaboration to meet customers’ evolving communications needs.”

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Richard Grigonis is an internationally-known technology editor and writer. Prior to joining TMC as Executive Editor of its IP Communications Group, he was the Editor-in-Chief of VON Magazine (News - Alert) from its founding in 2003 to August 2006. He also served as the Chief Technical Editor of CMP Media’s Computer Telephony magazine, later called Communications Convergence, from its first year of operation in 1994 until 2003. In addition, he has written five books on computers and telecom (including the Computer Telephony Encyclopedia and Dictionary of IP Communications). To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.