With the intention to strengthen the world’s largest voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network across 50 countries, India’s Reliance Communications Ltd. (RCom) has announced that its Reliance Globalcom unit has signed up a strategic alliance deal with New York-based Stealth Communications.

However, the financial details of the deal were not disclosed yet.

As per the agreement, Stealth Communications’ Voice Peering Fabric network to make use of Reliance Globalcom's 65,000-kilometre IP-enabled optic fibre network to channel its VOIP traffic.

The Voice Peering Fabric (VPF) is an electronic marketplace where companies buy and sell telephony services.

Mike Sauer, Reliance Globalcom’s global voice services president, stated, “Reliance Globalcom is pleased to provide the extensive reach of its network assets to the Worlds largest VOIP community - VPF.”

According to the company, the deal would also improve uniformity of next generation network of Reliance Globalcom.

“This will not only augment the services but will also provide cost benefits to VOIP to end-users,” the company added.

Moreover, Mike anticipates that the extended reach of VPF on Reliance Globalcom’s network would permit service providers from new markets to connect the VOIP platform at a smart price.

Located in major international hub, VPF is the world's biggest peering network for organizations to exchange voice (VoIP) and telephony-related services without depending upon customary telephone networks.

During the last year (2007), VPF carried a record traffic of 200 billion voice minutes that is likely to double to 400 billion voice minutes in 2008.

At 11:45 am, the shares of RCom gained 0.7% at Rs 478.05 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).