Fusion Communications Corporation has established the "FUSION IP-Phone Terminals and Systems Testing Center" for testing the interconnectivity of IP telephone terminals using the FUSION IP-Phone service and for testing various systems developed to provide solutions. The center goes into full operation on December 1.

The main protocol used in providing voice services over the Internet, also used by FUSION IP-Phone, is SIP. Communications that employ this protocol differ from calls via conventional fixed-line telephones in that various functions depend on the "intelligence" of the terminal equipment. In order to boost added value, it is therefore vital to improve the functions of the end device.

Fusion believes that providing an environment for equipment vendors and system integrators to develop ideas freely will benefit and help to expand the entire IP telephone market. The company has therefore established ties with many device partners and solution partners.

At the same time, it is essential to develop equipment and systems to provide better telephone service, and to test the interconnectivity between end devices and the network, and from end device to end device. In the area of added-value solutions as well, systems need to be tested before they can be commercialized.

Up to this point, in order to maintain connectivity and assure the quality of end-to-end voice transmissions by IP phone, Fusion has tested each new product developed by a partner firm separately. Fusion has established the FUSION IP-Phone Terminals and Systems Testing Center to carry out this process more efficiently and to concentrate on functional testing. The center will be able to test the interconnectivity of all types of end devices and system solutions.

The testing center has 23 FUSION IP-Phone device partner and solutions partner firms as members. It uses the same network equipment as Fusion's commercial network and is equipped with IP telephone terminals and other equipment provided by various manufacturers. Partner firms can do testing at the center or take advantage of remote access over the IP network. Use of the center will help to shorten the development cycle for commercialization of new products and solutions, improve connection quality maintenance, promote quick modification when problems arise, and help to expand high-quality, high-added-value IP phone services.