AT&T Launches VoIP and Interoperability Program

In a broad sweeping announcement AT&T has raised the bar in the telephony vertical by indicating that they are working with everyone from application developers, equipment and device manufacturers, and silicon manufacturers under comprehensive initiative.

“Our vision is to stimulate the development of a broad spectrum of VoIP-enabled devices from chipsets, software and Telephone Adapters to a range of products such as corded and cordless telephones, Wi-Fi phones, game consoles, set-top boxes, routers, modems, PBXs and ACD systems,” said Cathy Martine, AT&T senior vice president for Internet Telephony. “By working with developers and manufacturers, we will be able to deliver the benefits of IP-based telephony to businesses and consumers faster and more cost-effectively.”

I look at this as AT&T opening up the AT&T Labs concept and inviting everyone who wants to play with them in their sandbox as now being able to.

While some may say this follows what Vonage did with TI a year or more ago, it clearly raises the bar and distances AT&T further ahead, especially down the road, in order to become the telecom leader they once were, only this time, with VoIP.