TOLLBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES FIRST IP-BASED VOICE-OVER-CABLE GATEWAY DELIVERING FULL TELEPHONY FEATURES AND METROPOLITAN AREA SCALABILITY
Voice-over-DSL Leader Makes "Any Broadband" Real; Operators Can Deploy over DOCSIS Cable Today and Seamlessly Upgrade to Next-Generation Networks<SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 14, 2000 - TollBridge Technologies, Inc., the leading developer of IP-based voice-over-broadband solutions for next-generation carriers, today announced a broad-ranging development and marketing initiative to add Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)-standard cable to the growing list of network architectures supported by its products. The initiative, coupled with TollBridge's number one* market share in voice over DSL, establishes the company as the most complete provider of carrier-grade broadband IP telephony solutions. [*According to the Synergy Research Group's report "Q4 and Year-End 1999 Broadband Equipment Market Share," announced by TollBridge on February, 25, 2000.] TollBridge can be deployed by large and small cable multiple system operators (MSOs) that want to compete today for local exchange telephony customers using a proven, cost-effective solution. TollBridge's solutions are also positioned to provide a strategic advantage for the growing number of integrated communications providers (ICPs) that run cable operations in addition to other broadband access networks such as DSL, fixed wireless, T-1, and fiber. "TollBridge's extension of its market to voice-over-cable providers and its collaboration with SoftSwitch and next-generation network vendors are really two facets of the same initiative," said Agnes Imregh, vice president of marketing, TollBridge Technologies. "Carriers need to deploy today using available technologies and broadband access to gain quick market share. Then they can add new, value-added services to basic telephony functionality to compete even more profitably." First IP Voice-over-Cable Solution Based on Industry-Leading Product
The TollBridge DOCSIS-standard cable development initiative centers on a new software module for the company's industry-leading TB200 Local Exchange Gateway, enabling it to communicate with standards-based cable modems and access equipment. The TollBridge initiative will provide the first IP-based voice-over-cable solution that has the full-featured scalability and reliability traditionally associated with the PSTN. A residential customer served by a TollBridge TB200 and a DOCSIS 1.1/PacketCable compliant cable modem will experience exactly the same features-call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling, and toll-quality voiceas with traditional hard-wired service provided by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). As part of the same service, the customer will also get high-performance Internet and data access that is dozens of times faster than dial-up. Seamless Migration to Next-Generation Networks
Intrinsic to the TollBridge architecture is support both for traditional telephony-time-division multiplexing (TDM), Class 5 switches, and ATM-and next-generation VoIP technologies. In addition to delivering familiar telephony applications today, the TB200 also performs as a media gateway, communicating with such SoftSwitch protocols as NCS and MGCP, as well as with value-added VoIP applications, including "follow me" phones and Web-provisioned Centrex. The TollBridge gateway is fully upgradeable to end-to-end IP telephony operation, providing the industry's most seamless migration path to the networks of tomorrow. About TollBridge Technologies
Founded in March 1998 and located in Santa Clara, Calif., TollBridge Technologies is the leading developer of IP-based multiline voice solutions targeted at competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and other next-generation carriers. The company's solutions change the economics of delivering voice services to small-business and residential customers by allowing voice CLECs that own Class 5 switches to use broadband access technologies, such as DSL, to bypass the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and deliver toll-quality voice and integrated data services. TollBridge and TollVoiceTM are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
