Go2Call

Overview

Go2Call delivers a complete suite of hosted International VoIP solutions based on Digium's Asterisk Open source technology to service providers worldwide. Go2Call's back-office solutions enable carriers and resellers, broadband service providers, ISPs, new VoIP license holders, call shops and other distributors to offer powerful VoIP services while building equity in their own brands and dramatically reducing their time-to-market and capital expenditure. The company has over 200 customers in nearly 100 countries.

Challenge

Go2Call began providing hosted VoIP solutions in 1999. Many of the company's customers are ISPs looking to sell voice services to complement their existing data services. However, Go2Call was working with several vendors to get the components needed for its VoIP solution. The company was using components such as SIP registrars and voice mail servers from different vendors. Go2Call decided it was time to seek an integrated solution.

Solution

Go2Call became aware of Asterisk, the open source PBX, in early 2003. Go2Call chose Digium's Asterisk solution because it was able to provide multiple features and components and the flexibility for customization at very low costs. The company uses Asterisk for basic softswitch functionality including SIP registrar, feature server for voice mail or conference calling, and specialized e911 call routing. "Seeing first hand the amount of people and the level of interest at Astricon last year, it was clear that Asterisk started to be well accepted into the mainstream," said John Nix, Co-Founder, Go2Call.

Implementation

Go2Call was able to customize its Asterisk deployment to address challenges such as poor Internet connections and a network with many different vendors of IP phones. Specific network issues affecting performance include high packet loss, jitter, delay, and packet fragmentation. Although internal software testing began in 2003, Go2Call waited until 2004 after the inaugural Astricon Conference and launch of Asterisk 1.0 to begin testing with customers.

Results

Go2Call has utilized Asterisk to provide hosted PBX features to VoIP service providers, primarily in emerging markets where low cost solutions are essential. Asterisk has enabled Go2Call to meet its customers requirements for a high-quality, low-cost VoIP solution. "Go2Call has been impressed with the amount of web support there is for Asterisk," said John Nix, Co-Founder, Go2Call. "There are also large numbers of companies and programmers working with and familiar with Asterisk. This helps our process of adding new customers and expanding our network around the world."