Nortel BCM was an on-premises IP-PBX and unified communications platform for SMBs that bundled telephony, voicemail, IVR and basic data services. After Nortel's corporate breakup, BCM became a legacy platform; organizations now typically choose extended-support vendors, modern on-prem IP-PBXs, or cloud UCaaS and SIP-based migrations.

What Nortel BCM was

Nortel's Business Communications Manager (BCM) was an on-premises IP-PBX and unified communications platform aimed at small and medium businesses. It bundled telephony, voicemail/unified messaging, IVR, contact-center features, and basic data services on a single appliance to help organizations converge voice and data.

Key capabilities

BCM systems supported traditional digital/analog handsets and IP phones, provided voicemail and unified messaging, offered IVR/auto-attendant and call-centre features, and included basic security and routing for voice over IP (VoIP). The product line was sold as compact units suitable for single-site or multi-site deployments.

Typical deployments

Installations commonly served small offices up to multi-branch SMBs. BCM platforms were positioned as a migration path for customers with legacy Nortel Norstar or Meridian investments who wanted to move toward IP telephony while protecting prior hardware investments.

What happened to BCM and Nortel's enterprise business

Nortel Corporation faced severe financial difficulties and reorganizations in the late 2000s; its enterprise business changed ownership during the breakup of the company. Many BCM installations became legacy systems supported by third-party service providers or by the successor companies that acquired Nortel assets. 1

Modern alternatives and migration paths

Since the BCM era, two major shifts have reshaped business communications:

  • A broad move from on-premises PBX to cloud-hosted unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) platforms (for example, cloud telephony providers and integrated calling in collaboration suites).
  • Standardization on SIP trunking and software-based session controllers that decouple telephony services from proprietary hardware.
Organizations running BCM today typically choose one of three paths: keep the system in place with extended support from specialist vendors, migrate to a modern on-premises IP-PBX, or move to cloud UCaaS (hosted phone systems, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing/Teams Phone, Zoom Phone, etc.).

Practical considerations for SMBs

  • Inventory: Document handset models, voicemail, IVR customizations, and network readiness (QoS, firewall rules).
  • Security: Legacy VoIP boxes can expose older protocols and should be isolated and patched when possible.
  • Cost vs. features: Cloud UCaaS reduces on-site maintenance but may have ongoing subscription costs; on-premises replacements require capital expense but offer control.
If you still run a Nortel BCM, plan migration steps, budget for interoperability testing (SIP trunks, codecs), and consult a telecom specialist familiar with legacy Nortel gear and current UCaaS options.
  1. Confirm specific BCM model names and the user/extension capacity ranges historically advertised (e.g., BCM 50/200/400) and update article if needed.
  2. Verify ownership history and the companies that acquired Nortel's enterprise communications assets and the current official support lifecycle for BCM products.
  3. Confirm availability and names of third-party vendors still offering extended support for BCM deployments.

FAQs about Nortel Business Communications

Is Nortel BCM still sold or supported?
BCM is a legacy product. New sales from Nortel no longer exist; however, some third-party vendors and specialist service providers offer extended maintenance and migration services for existing BCM installations.
What are the common migration options from BCM?
Typical options are (1) retain BCM with third-party support, (2) replace it with a modern on-premises IP-PBX, or (3) migrate to a cloud UCaaS provider that offers hosted telephony and contact-center features.
Can BCM interoperate with SIP trunks?
Many BCM deployments were adapted to use SIP trunks, but interoperability depends on the model, firmware, and gateway equipment. A compatibility and network readiness check is recommended before switching trunks.
What security risks should I watch for with BCM?
Legacy telephony systems may run outdated firmware and expose SIP or RTP services to the network. Isolate telephony VLANs, update firmware where possible, and use session border controllers or firewalls to protect VoIP traffic.
Should small businesses move to cloud UCaaS?
Cloud UCaaS simplifies management and delivers modern features (mobile clients, integrated meetings, and contact-center). It suits businesses that prefer operational subscriptions and fast feature updates; those needing full local control may prefer on-premises replacements.

News about Nortel Business Communications

Mitel: Interview With CISO Bill Dunnion About The Business Communications Company - Pulse 2.0 [Visit Site | Read More]

Sneak Preview: Avaya/Nortel Panel at VoiceCon - No Jitter [Visit Site | Read More]

Is Nortel Still in the Game? - No Jitter [Visit Site | Read More]

Alternative solutions arise as Brightspeed outage disrupts local business communications - WSET [Visit Site | Read More]