GENBAND, Top VoIP Company 2008: FierceVoIP, Fierce 15

GENBAND 

Where it's based: Plano, Texas
When was it founded: 1999
Website: www.genband.com 

Why it's Fierce: Since it started acquiring companies in September 2006, GENBAND has been on a Fierce jag to dominate hardware equipment in the core by bridging the old TDM network while offering the next generation network all-IP, IMS capable solutions to carriers when they're ready. The company has acquired Siemens switch division, Tekelec's switching solutions group, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) gateway product lines and NextPoint Networks.  On top of that, add reseller relationships with Alcatel-Lucent, NEC, NSN, and Nortel.

GENBAND's purchase of NextPoint was significantly Fierce; NextPoint had developed deep packet inspection (DPI) and session border control (SBC) technology on open platforms, with the number two market share position on SBCs. Loading new security capability on existing GENBAND hardware is basically a code port.

With all of its acquisitions, GENBAND has over 800 service provider customers in more than 80 countries and lists 61 of the top 100 largest service providers.  Given current market conditions, we wouldn't be surprised with another acquisition or two in 2009.