UNPRECEDENTED IP TELEPHONY SERVICE PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATED AT SUPERCOMM
Integrated 20-Vendor Network to Showcase IP Communications Services Siofok accommodationATLANTA, June 6, 2000 - Abatis, Agilent Technologies, BroadSoft, Cisco, Copper Mountain Networks, dynamicsoft, Ericsson, HearMe, IPeria, Mediatrix, Netergy Networks, Nortel Networks, Pingtel, Siemens, Tellabs, telecom technologies, 3Com, TollBridge, Ubiquity and VegaStream Bring Live Packet Telephony Services over Public Switched Telephone Network Today at SuperComm, WorldCom and a combination of leading network equipment and software vendors announced the largest, most comprehensive, multi-vendor, multi-service network prototype built to date, a basis for upcoming next generation communications service offerings. The live interoperability demonstration is based on Internet Protocol (IP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The prototype provides basic and enhanced IP telephony services by integrating equipment and software from multiple vendors into an IP communications services platform based on SIP. WorldCom is facilitating the demonstration by providing an open, collaborative network environment that encourages vendor development, advancing the evolution of new types and classes of IP-based services. The prototype interconnects WorldCom's IP and public switched networks with SIP-based platforms to provide a wide range of enhanced IP communications services. These services include SIP proxy and location services, unified messaging, hosted iPBX services, instant messaging with voice, multi-media conferencing, IP-based Class 5 and Centrex services, presence management and service creation environments. "The implementation of these types of distributed architectures will revolutionize the way we do business and communicate over public networks, and softswitch products will play a critical role in enabling this revolution," said Christin Flynn of the Yankee Group. "The keys to success are interoperability, open solutions and scalability with a constant focus on the creation and timely delivery of unique services. These lofty goals can only be accomplished through strong vendor partnerships such as those evidenced here." The demonstration, the largest SIP interoperability test to date, positions WorldCom as an industry leader, enabling the development of a broad range of IP communications services for enterprises. For customers of such services, the exhibit indicates that a wide selection of standards-based equipment will be available to support their networking requirements. "Delivering IP-based telephony that combines the power of interoperability and open standards, without sacrificing PSTN quality, is one of the greatest challenges facing all service providers," said Ron McMurtrie, WorldCom vice president, Marketing and E Business. Other advanced applications will also be demonstrated including follow-me-anywhere services, IP-based audio/web conferencing, packet-based Class 5 local exchange services and personal profile management. These services are integrated over an all-packet, managed IP backbone and are accessed via ATM, Frame Relay, xDSL and a variety of other interfaces. Media Gateways will convert the packetized media streams from the IP domain to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The demonstration network at SuperComm is comprised of SIP clients and servers, service creation and application platforms, softswitches and media gateways. SIP clients provided by 3Com, Ericsson, HearMe, Mediatrix, Nortel Networks, Pingtel, Siemens, VegaStream and Ubiquity are routed through designated SIP servers and SIP application platforms. Proxies and service platforms provided by BroadSoft, dynamicsoft, Ericsson, HearMe, IPeria, Netergy Networks, Nortel Networks and Ubiquity communicate through WorldCom's SIP services platform. TollBridge and Copper Mountain Networks devices provide guaranteed delivery for voice over IP applications over xDSL access. Agilent Technologies' test system provides automated, end-to-end performance analysis of this next-generation network. telecom technologies' softswitch provides access to all of the SIP servers into the global PSTN by providing SS7 signaling and controlling class-independent switches and media gateways from Tellabs (SALIX) and Cisco using the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). The softswitch also communicates with the enterprise gateway from Abatis and the media gateway from 3Com using the SIP protocol. Additional details on the prototype can be viewed at www.virtualpressoffice.com. TollBridge and TollVoice are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. TollBridge and TollVoiceTM are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
