Using Nortel technology, JSC Sibirtelecom, a telecommunications service provider in Sibera, has deployed an IMS-based, next-generation network.

Not only does the new network incorporate modern NGN communication standards, especially IMS-based, VoIP sofswitches, and media gateways, but also using Sibertelecom’s existing digital switched telephone network, it will expand its subscriber capacity.

Plus, the network offers advanced multimedia services such as Internet telephone calls, video telephony, file exchange, voice mail, and integrated universal messaging. The increased capacity will also allow subscribers to make tradition local, international and domestic long-distance voice calls over the existing switched network.

“As the first provider in Siberia to deploy a converged, next-generation network, Sibirtelecom is revolutionizing communications for the region,” said Anatoly Nikulin, CEO for JSC Sibirtelecom.

“Nortel was able to enhance our traditional telephony services with the newest multimedia capability on a single network for both consumers and business customers. The new revenue streams and cost-reductions enabled by our next-generation network are integral to Sibirtelecom’s leading position in the Siberian market.”

Russia, being the massive land mass it is, is an incredibly difficult market for wireless. Late last year, an unknown Florida-based operator GlobeTel made an eyebrow-raising, out-of-nowhere announcement of a $600 million Wi-MAX deal in Russia. GlobeTel CEO Tim Huff has been publicly reticent ever since about the deal, which now appears to have collapsed.

However, GlobeTel stock suddenly shot up 75 percent in a single day in late December after the firm, which describes itself as a “diversified, global telecommunications and financial services company announced a $600 million Wi-MAX wireless network deal for the 30 largest Russian cities,” Motley Fool analyst Seth Jayson reported.

Red Herring notes that Huff predicted at the time that, “Russia will, quickly and at a relatively modest cost, have a wireless infrastructure that will rival any in the industrialized world.”

“We are helping reduce Sibirtelecom’s operational costs by optimizing its existing network investment while enabling the delivery of new, revenue-generating services,” said Sorin Lupu, president Nortel Russia, Eastern Europe and Israel. “It’s particularly pleasing that we have been able to use Nortel’s network technology and experience to help Sibirtelecom achieve its business goals.”

The Sibirtelecom NGN infrastructure, deployed with the support of systems integrator and Nortel channel partner RON-telecom, encompasses the Nortel Communication Server 2000 superclass softswitching technology, Media Gateway 15000 carrier-grade gateways and KEYMILE UMUX 1500 subscriber access equipment which is used to provide 27,000 analog subscribers.

The future looks bright with an expected network capacity expansion to 40,000 analog subscribers by the end of 2006. The project also includes the provision of a Multimedia Communication Server 5200 in the focus city Novosibirsk, which will also Sibirtelecom to provide a common range of expanded multimedia services within the entire federal region of Siberia.