Question : MPLS to carry voice and data

I am tasked to connect three offices together, in three different cities on the east coast.  Data and voice services.  It was recommended strongly that I procure an MPLS service.  I've worked with private lines (T1, T3) and switched services (frame relay, ATM) in the past but never MPLS, which I know very little about.  Each location has a PBX and I need each to connect to each other as if theyhad T1 trunks connecting them (They used to have that, not any more, too expensive).   This is a two part question:  1.  What kind of MPLS service do I order and what questios do I ask (QoS? etc.)?  2.  And what kind of hardware do I need to interface the MPLS for both the IP data and the voice? (I suppose this might hinge on what I get with the MPLS service.)

Answer : MPLS to carry voice and data

1.  Different providers offer varying levels of MPLS connectivity which are typically based on the level of QoS associated with each.  For example, the lowest cost MPLS offering would not include QoS features.  You'll want to contact the providers and evaluate each of their service offerings.  You'll want to find a single provider to cover all of your locations to simplify the process.  Typically, cost is the deciding factor for implementation.

2.  With most MPLS implementations, no additional hardware is required on your part.  Your provider should be able to take care of all hardware needs with their own equipment (in most situations).

Hope this helps...

Mike