Tuesday August 25, 8:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
I3S Selects Ascend Multiservice Core Switches, IP
Navigator/MPLS for National IP Backbone Network
Switches Support High-Speed Data Services Today, Provide Scalability for Future Applications
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 1998-- Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND - news) a
leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers and users of the Public Network, today announced that I3S,
Inc., will deploy a nationwide IP backbone network using Ascend Multiservice CBX 500 and GX 550 ''Smart'' Core ATM
switches and IP Navigator/MPLS. I3S is a leader in providing high-speed Internet access and data services to the
multi-dwelling unit residential apartment community in the U.S.
I3S will implement IP Navigator/MPLS on its CBX 500 and GX 550 switches in up to 23 metropolitan markets over the next
year and will manage the network using Ascend's Navis Core and NavisXtend network management products. IP Navigator,
which is the industry's closest implementation of the emerging Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) standard, will allow
I3S to deliver IP services at rates up to OC-48. Additionally, IP Navigator's ''Absolute QoS'' capability enables
applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and video-on-demand services to become a reality. These IP services, combined
with the GX 550's integrated transmission capabilities, will allow I3S to upgrade its network at a significantly lower cost
than separate IP, ATM, and SONET networks.
In selecting Ascend, I3S cited commitment to quality and service as well as pricing. The Ascend switches and IP
Navigator/MPLS also fulfilled I3S' criteria for a faster IP backbone; fewer router hops; ATM-based data; full support for
video and VoIP applications; state-of-the-art IP applications; and a ''future-proofed'' network.
''The combination of Ascend's CBX 500 and GX 550 switches with IP Navigator will enable us to build a cost-effective IP
network infrastructure while Ascend's multiservice capability provides a very high level of investment protection for future
services,'' said John Galgay, vice president of Network Engineering for I3S. ''This will allow us to add new services and
pursue new opportunities with minimal incremental capital and infrastructure costs.''
The new infrastructure will enable I3S to offer subscribers broadband cable-modem access to the Internet and value-added
content. The new infrastructure also will enable I3S to offer apartment community residents and corporate customers
high-speed access to the Internet and value-added content through broadband and other high-speed access technologies. For
example, I3S' future plans include using the Frame Relay capabilities of the CBX 500 to move customer access aggregation
and content servers into the core of its network, thereby delivering the quality, reliable, advanced services broadband access
is capable of providing. I3S also has plans for implementing the VPN capabilities of the Ascend switches.
''I3S' apartment resident customer base represents one third of all Americans. We are delighted that I3S has chosen Ascend's
core switching technology to deliver high-speed Internet access to this very large community. This is another example of
how we are helping service providers build the new public network,'' said Tom DeCanio, vice president of Product
Marketing, Core Switching Division, Ascend Communications. ''Ascend switches will enable a powerful broadband IP
backbone for providing true, broadband Internet connectivity for subscribers to I3S' high-speed data services.''
About I3S
I3S provides high-speed data service to the residential apartment community market, consumers and commercial enterprises
using a variety of broadband Internet technologies and applications, such as two-way cable television systems. I3S offers a
dedicated ''always on, always connected'' symmetrical high-speed Internet access service at transmission speeds up to 10
Mbps, or 300 times faster than typical dial-up Internet connections. In addition to offering a high-speed Internet connection,
I3S provides a turnkey, high-speed data services solution with its partners to deliver unique multimedia applications tailored
for delivery and use in a broadband Internet environment. I3S has entered into agreements with large private cable operators
and residential real estate investment trusts (REITs) to deliver the complete suite of I3S high-speed data services to nearly
600,000 to 1,000,000 apartment or multiple dwelling units (MDUs) nationwide.
Further, I3S is in current contract negotiations with major franchise and private cable system operators as well as other
REITs to deliver high-speed data services to nearly 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 potential MDU residents in 45 metropolitan
markets throughout the United States. Information about Dallas-based I3S can be found at www.i3s.com.
Regards
Neil |
