IBM is gearing up to offer new blade servers and switches that the company said will improve the ability for the telecommunications industry to offer voice over IP, Internet protocol TV and security. The company announced that it would begin to offer <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2067127,00.asp?kc=EWEWEMNL120406EP22B">the BladeCenter HT system,</A> which is designed to hold up under the rugged environments in which many telecom systems are housed. IBM had previously developed eServer BladeCenter T servers in 2004. The newer HT models are being touted as a better way to deal with telecom products that demand more broadband processing power like VOIP and IPTV.