World Wide Packets, a solutions provider for optical broadband connectivity, and AG Communication Systems, a developer of advanced network-based communications solutions, announced a product partnership under which the two companies will jointly market a complete Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution for fiber deployments.
By integrating the two companies' solutions, converged voice, video and data can be delivered simultaneously over packet-based networks, resulting in significant revenue opportunities and long-term cost savings for service providers.
As part of the non-exclusive LightningEdge Certified Product Partner agreement, the two companies will offer service providers the iMerge Network-based Call Signaling Gateway (NCSG) from AG Communication Systems and the LightningEdge family of products from World Wide Packets as an integrated solution. Targeted service providers include multiple service operators, cable television operators, local exchange carriers, real estate developers, utilities and municipalities.
The iMerge NCSG allows service providers to deploy the highly efficient converged access networks demanded by their competitive environments while utilizing a telephony services platform -- the Class 5 central office switch. The switch continues to control calls, bill for them, provide features and provide connections to the public switched telephone network and SS7 networks as well as adjunct solutions. The switch connects to the iMerge NCSG, which converts from circuit-based telephony protocols to packet, specifically the NCS protocol, which is ready for distribution to subscribers on fully converged hybrid-fiber-coax networks and pure fiber networks.
The LightningEdge solution from World Wide Packets is designed to deliver a complete integrated service offering from a single provider or multiple providers (open access network). The complete solution includes:
(1) the LightningEdge Access Portal, delivering converged voice, video and data in the customer premises;
(2) the LightningEdge Access Concentrator, providing high-speed Ethernet connections for LightningEdge Access Portals in multi-unit applications;
(3) the LightningEdge Access Distributor, allowing service providers to connect seamlessly with subscribers over standard Gigabit Ethernet links; and
(4) the LightningEdge Network Supervisor, management and provisioning software allowing voice, video and data to become provisioning options from the service provider to their subscriber base.
In the integrated voice solution, LightningEdge LE-20 Series Access Portals perform the access gateway function, using eight switched Ethernet ports. In addition, the LE-22 features two plain old telephone service (POTS) ports to support true digital telephony capabilities from any touch-tone phone, providing rich sound quality via the integrated iMerge NCSG VoIP gateway.
In the LightningEdge LE-22 Access Portal, the two POTS interfaces provide comprehensive support for telephony, basic subscriber line protection, ring generation, Dual Tone Multi-Frequency generation and adaptive echo cancellation. Additionally, IP telephones can be connected to any of the LE-22 Access Portal's Ethernet ports, and customers may choose from a full slate of features, including:
* Call Waiting
* Caller ID
* Voice Mail
* Automatic recall
* Automatic callback
* Call forwarding
* Fax and modem calls
* 911 calls
* Three-way calling
* Call blocking
* Anonymous call rejection
* Distinctive ringing
The two companies will unveil an interactive demonstration of these products at the National Association of Broadcasters 2001 trade show in Las Vegas, April 23-26.
About AG Communication Systems:
AG Communication Systems, a subsidiary of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), offers service providers advanced network-based solutions, including circuit and packet switching, VoIP and IP Centrex, call center and integrated access products. For more information, visit www.agcs.com..
About World Wide Packets:
World Wide Packets is a solutions provider for optical broadband connectivity. The company designs, develops and manufactures optical access network solutions. For more information, visit www.worldwidepackets.com.