Level 3 Inks Deal To Aid Comcast VoIP Service

Level 3 Communications, Inc. has begun providing cable operator Comcast Corp. with backbone support for its new Digital Voice VoIP service.

By using Level 3's backbone, Comcast will be able to ensure that VoIP traffic travels across a privately managed IP network infrastructure, allowing it to ensure a high level of voice quality. Level 3 has been offering IP backbone services to cable operators and service providers since 1999.

"We're pleased that Comcast has chosen Level 3 to provide backbone support for its Comcast Digital Voice rollout," Level 3executive vice president of Services Sureel Choksi said in a statement. "We believe the market is poised for rapid adoption of innovative voice services and look forward to further supporting Comcast as it adds IP-based phone service to its leading suite of cable, entertainment and communications products and services."

Comcast began rolling out its Digital Voice residential VoIP service earlier this spring. The company plans to reach 15 million subscribers with the service by the end of the year, and all 40 million Comcast subscribers by the end of 2006.