With the recent launch of the VoIP T1 channel on TMCnet, I reached out to Thane Namy of Clear Rate, a provider of multiple services such as TDM or VOIP voice, MPLS, and Internet across a single T-1. Clear Rate has launched MetroEthernet with nationwide availability, and the company provides international DID service with VOIP Flex T-1. This service allows customers to have a local phone number in a market such as Mexico City, and receive calls at their main office. Popular with medium-sized businesses, the service is great for companies that need access to foreign markets, but may not want to invest in a full branch or satellite office.

To get more of an idea about what Clear Rate does, and how it stays afloat in the competitive T1 industry, I interviewed Namy about Clear Rate’s operations and plan for the future. See the full exchange below:

JK: How does Clear Rate set itself apart from other competitors in the VoIP T1 industry?

TN: There are several major differences is with our Flex (VOIP) T-1 service. First, 99.9 percent of fax and short-duration modem calls connect and complete properly on our network. Our network is configured to properly carry these call types.  We provide customized configurations at our end-points to our customers so we can provide the service in a way that integrates seamlessly with their network. We provide International origination, which allows a business customer to have a DID in another country, providing a local presence in a foreign market without setting up a full branch or office. Finally, our truly unlimited Local and Long Distance calling for business customers, which include VOIP T-1s that provide an analog, SIP or even PRI interface, allow customers to maximize the savings, budgeting and telecom cost management better than most, if not all providers.

JK: What trends, if any, has the company seen in recent years?

TN: We have really seen a maturation of the VOIP protocol, both in the technology itself and the integration and adoption by business users. VOIP services are being deployed without concern both on customer internal networks and services purchased from carriers. This encouraged hardware vendors to invest in and develop SIP-Based PBX (News - Alert) systems and other equipment. It has helped to further entrench VOIP-Based services in the business environment.

JK: How has Clear Rate reacted to these trends?

TN: Clear Rate has reacted to these trends by providing several different types of VOIP T-1 services and provided customized solutions to our customers. Additionally, we have integrated services like MPLS and MetroEthernet into our VOIP T-1 offerings, which has been extremely popular with our business customers. This has allowed them to substantially lower costs to smaller satellite offices, while still maintaining T-1 connectivity, data security and QoS/CoS capability with our integrated MPLS offering or simplified connections with MetroEthernet solutions.

Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Juliana Kenny