Compass Communications is unbundling exchanges in Auckland,Christchurch and Palmerston North, partnering with Nokia Siemens Networks andAgile Integration.

Compass founder and CEO Karim Hussona (pictured) says Compass will beable provide a full range of traditional telephony and advanced next generationservices to residential and corporate customers. This is because the Multi-ServiceAccess Node (MSAN) technology from Nokia Siemens enables service providers todeliver any mix of ADSL2+, VDSL2, G.SHDSLbix, Ethernet and POTS services.

“This new initiativeusing the latest MSAN technology allows Compass to take advantage of the costbenefits of Local Loop Unbundling and deliver new and highly competitiveservices to our customers,” says Hussona.

Compass’s entry into the LLU market shows a renewed interest in the LLU market,with CallPlus also announcing its intentions to unbundle in exchanges,beginning in Hamilton. Interestingly both Compass and CallPlus also havesignificant ‘WiMAX spectrum’. Compass has begun a WiMAX network rollout, butCallPlus has yet to announce its plans in this area.

The Compass move also represents a new direction for Agile. CEOTony Jayne says the company has recently boosted its Network division with theaddition of new staff and the signing of partner agreements with JuniperNetworks, Ceragon Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks.

“The company has decided to expand its capabilities andleverage the extensive experience and skills we have developed to make anaggressive move into the network solutions area with a focus on the carrier andservice provider market,” Jayne says.