TOLLBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES PARTNERS WITH INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS VENDORS ON IP VOICE FOR BUSINESS
Partnerships Enable Integrated PBX Voice and Data Products to Support Toll-Quality IP-Based Voice over DSL, with a Migration Path from GR-303 to Next-Generation IP Voice Solutions Sunnyvale, Calif., September 14, 1999 - TollBridge Technologies, Inc., the leading developer of IP-based voice-over-broadband solutions for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), announced today interoperability and technology licensing partnerships with key vendors of next-generation integrated communications products. The goal of the partnerships is to provide small offices, mid-sized businesses, and enterprise branch offices with a broader range of connectivity choices and a risk-free migration path from circuit-based to IP-based voice. These partnerships allow businesses to consolidate their voice and data communications for cost savings and reduced operational complexity while taking advantage of existing and emerging broadband access technologies, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, wireless, and T1. "Vendors of integrated communications systems realize that convergence is the future of communications for all mainstream business," said Jim Grady, vice president of marketing at TollBridge. "IP is the natural protocol for convergence of voice and data. Right now, TollBridge's TollVoiceT solution provides toll-quality IP Voice Trunking access to today's Class 5 switches for voice CLECs who want to use broadband access networks to bypass the Incumbent LEC. TollVoice also provides a strong migration path to the next generation of end-to-end IP voice services, supported by integrated communications system vendors and emerging class-independent, IP-based voice switches." Multi-Level Interoperability Provides Strategic Long-Term Value TollBridge has tested the interoperability of its TB50 Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) with integrated communications products from Vertical Networks (www.vertical.com), Shoreline Teleworks (www.shoretel.com), Praxon (www.praxon.com), and Merlot Communications (www.merlotcom.com).The TB50 incorporates standard LAN and PBX interfaces for seamless interconnection with these products. On the WAN side, the TB50 can interface to any broadband-DSL, cable, wireless, or T1. In addition, TollBridge has licensed its TollVoiceT Any Service over Packets system software to Vertical Networks, Shoreline Teleworks, Praxon, Merlot Communications, and Flexion Systems (www.flexion.com), allowing them to directly incorporate TollVoice functionality into their systems over time. TollVoice converts voice signals to IP packets and then prioritizes the packets for transmission over broadband access networks. TollVoice uses IP Voice Trunking to transmit multiple calls in a single packet stream to ensure the most efficient use of broadband connections. Any unused bandwidth is automatically assigned for data. The TollBridge relationship also assures these vendors that their solutions are compatible with Central Office systems from Copper Mountain Networks, Nokia, Paradyne, Lucent, Cisco, and Promatory. TollBridge has tested and announced interoperability with DSL access multiplexers from all of these vendors. At the voice carrier network, the TB200 Local Exchange Gateway receives IP packets over the broadband network from the TB50, unpacks the voice channels, and converts them back into circuits that connect to any Class 5 switch using the widely deployed GR-303 protocol. TollBridge recently announced support for the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), allowing TollVoice solutions to connect to next-generation, class-independent switches. With this capability, carriers can transition customers to new IP-based services while maintaining their Class 5 services. "The TollVoice plus integrated communications platform combination satisfies real customer needs for 'corporate-quality' communications for smaller offices without the complexity, cost, and management headaches of piece-part alternatives, while at the same time offering a robust migration to the next generation of IP-based services," said Reed Henry, vice president of marketing at Vertical Networks. "Carriers looking to generate more revenue and services and to retain their customer base need to offer this combined solution." "The TollVoice solution leverages IP technology to enable cost-effective, operational simplicity for the distributed, mid-sized enterprise," said Shaheen Kazi, director of product marketing at Shoreline Teleworks. "TollBridge's technology seamlessly integrates with the Shoreline Communication System, allowing us to offer our customers voice and data services over a single IP infrastructure that supports multiple sites at a fraction of the cost of traditional PBXs." "TollBridge's TollVoice solution adds another important dimension to our Integrated Business Communications solution" said Tom Williams, Praxon's president and chief executive officer. "Together with Praxon's Phone Data eXchange (PDX), TollVoice lets small and medium businesses benefit from an all-inclusive communications solution that includes PBX functionality, email, voicemail, internet access, and data networking. This combined solution offers capital investment savings, reduces recurring costs, and simplifies system management." Michael Centrella, Merlot's president, CEO and co-founder said, "Today's competitive service providers want to reduce customer churn by offering stickier services. Providing all the customers' enterprise equipment, including their digital key telephones, creates a bond that cannot be achieved by simply offering a lower price. We are pleased to partner with TollBridge, which has an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality services that allow facilities-based CLECs to better their competitive edge in today's market." "Flexion offers small and mid-sized businesses a fully managed, one-stop communications system for voice, data, and applications," said Andrew Bale, CEO at Flexion Systems. "TollBridge's TollVoice takes advantage of emerging broadband networks. TollVoice significantly broadens the range of connectivity options available to businesses using the Flexion X300 to build a high-quality communications and applications infrastructure." About TollBridge Technologies
Founded in March 1998 and located in Sunnyvale, Calif., TollBridge Technologies is the leading developer of IP-based multiline voice solutions targeted at Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). The company's solutions change the economics of delivering voice services to small-business 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. For more information about TollBridge Technologies, visit the company's Website at http://www.tollbridgetech.com or contact Rich Farana at (408) 585-2146. TollBridge and TollVoiceTM are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
