Device Arena

In a move that will reduce communications costs while improving service, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has selected Terra Telecom, LLC to begin deploying a new IP-based communications platform from Alcatel-Lucent to more than 140 of its offices worldwide. The modernization project will enable UNFPA to more effectively share information and build relationships with the people they serve, with local agencies and partners, and within their own organization.

“UNFPA works with governments around the world to ensure that mothers and children can access the information and services that keep them healthy, and that governments have the essential population data needed for their development plans,” said Rafiodin Malikzay, Chief of UNFPA’s Management Information Services. “UNFPA recognizes the important role that telecommunications plays in fulfilling all these tasks,” he added.

“We know that by connecting knowledge – having access to information when and where it’s needed – organizations like the UNFPA become even more agile, responsive and effective in their work to make our world a better place,” said Tom Burns, President, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and Vertical Markets. “We are pleased that Terra Telecom has chosen our solutions to help UNFPA meet the communication demands of its important mission.”

“It’s rare to be able to take part in a project with the potential to have such a human impact,” said David Shepard, President and CIO of Terra Telecom. “As we came to understand the objectives of the UNFPA, not just their technology needs, we at Terra became excited about the opportunities this deployment has to offer to those it serves. We are very proud of this project.”

Terra Telecom selected the Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise VoIP platform to meet the diverse power, networking and service requirements of UNFPA country offices. Conferencing and collaboration features are supplied by the Alcatel-Lucent OmniTouch My Teamwork solution. The installed applications meet the multiple language requirements of local and visiting users, and the system ties into the main global network and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Terra has already deployed and brought on line the Alcatel-Lucent technology in New York; Kingston, Jamaica; Johannesburg, South Africa; Katmandu, Nepal; and Bangkok, Thailand. Projects are currently under way in Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Terra Telecom fully expects to meet the project deployment schedule set by the UNFPA.

Alcatel-Lucent