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ASCEND ACCELERATES NEXT GENERATION OF
ACCESS SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS; COMPANY'S
MARKET-LEADING ACCESS TECHNOLOGY ENABLES
VALUE-ADDED SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES FOR
CUSTOMERS, BUILDS ON THE NEXT-GENERATION
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Ascend
Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O), the leader in wide area networking
(WAN) solutions for providers and users of the public network, today
unveiled its next-generation Access Solutions strategy that focuses on
the unique needs of service provider and enterprise customers in the
face of a shifting telecom/datacom market. As the networking industry
moves from simple dial-access to more advanced data services, Ascend
is driving the market for solutions that extend the profitability of
its leading-edge customers. Ascend's Access Solutions today encompass
four broad categories, including MultiVPN, MultiVoice, Carrier
Signaling, and Last Mile Access Solutions.
State of the Market
The convergence of voice, fax, and data services on The
Next-Generation Public Network is creating opportunities for new
profit-building and cost-efficient solutions for service provider and
corporate customers. Ascend's Access Solutions, which tightly
integrate market-leading access technologies with Ascend's ATM and
Frame Relay WAN switching capabilities, enable customers to take
advantage of these innovations in the new public network.
The changing market is driving the need for carriers and ISPs to
develop revenue-generating, carrier-class services like network
wholesaling and advanced voice and VPN services. This changing market
is also driving enterprise customers to demand more cost-effective
network solutions like VPNs and IP-based services that reduce total
cost of network ownership. Ascend is meeting this customer demand with
integrated voice and data capabilities that enable MultiVoice and
MultiVPN solutions, advanced Carrier Signaling functions, and
optimized Last Mile Access Solutions, including Networking Wholesaling
and DSL.
"As the largest independent Internet service provider focused on
international business needs, PSINet maintains a best-of-breed
strategy when choosing and implementing core network technologies.
Ascend consistently delivers innovative solutions that meet these
basic demands," said Mark Fedor, vice president of engineering for
PSINet Inc. (Nasdaq:PSIX.O). "As we continue to aggressively expand our
global network and develop the next generation of business
applications, we are confident that PSINet and Ascend will continue to
develop the technologies and solutions needed to succeed in this
competitive market."
The Future of Access Solutions is Now
Built on its market-leading MAX(tm) and MAX TNT(tm) WAN access
switching platform, and powered by the True Access(tm) Operating
System, Ascend's Access Solutions are implemented and managed with the
Navis family of network management products and Ascend's Global
Integrated Services organization.
"Ascend understands our need to deliver innovative and
cost-effective networking solutions to our growing customer base,"
said John Martis, chief operating officer for American Digital
Network. "Ascend delivers advanced Frame Relay and Voice over IP
applications that help us meet our customer demand. As we continue to
expand our service offerings into the 21st century, we will look to
Ascend as a key partner."
Ascend's Access Solutions include:
-- MultiVPN(tm): MultiVPN cost-effectively and securely extends
enterprise customers' network to the converged voice and data
Next-Generation Public Network, while creating additional value-added,
revenue-generating opportunities for service providers. As the leader
in the VPN market, according to a study by Frost & Sullivan, Ascend is
advancing its MultiVPN solution to increase VPN usage using Internet,
carrier IP, Frame Relay, and ATM architectures.
-- MultiVoice(tm): Ascend's MultiVoice solution supplies service
providers and enterprise customers with advanced Voice and Fax over IP
applications. Ascend is extending its MultiVoice solution for Voice
and Fax over IP, ATM and Frame Relay services to provide more robust
voice features and integrated cost-efficient SS7 capabilities.
-- Carrier Signaling: Ascend's proposed acquisition of Stratus
Computer, Inc. will supply a fault-tolerant platform, SS7 and
Intelligent Network (IN) products for tighter integration of the
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with the Next-Generation
Public Network. Using this carrier-class platform, Ascend is the first
to provide transparent use of existing SS7 networks to route voice,
fax, and data calls over IP, ATM, and Frame Relay networks to offload
the PSTN. This capability effectively offloads the PSTN and creates
new service capabilities for the future of packet-switched over
circuit-switched networks.
-- Last Mile Solutions: Ascend's multi-service access
technologies, including DSL, Frame Relay concentration, and network
wholesaling enable advanced customer connectivity to the network and
creates opportunities for service providers to differentiate and
broaden their class of services.
"Ascend is redefining the way the industry thinks about the
access market. Enterprise customers are demanding more cost-effective
solutions from their service providers, causing service providers to
demand more innovative solutions from their networking vendors. Ascend
is working closely with customers and is one step ahead in providing
innovative, next-generation access solutions that benefit both the
service provider market and the enterprise," said Kurt Bauer, vice
president, Access Product Marketing.
Related Access Solutions Announcements
MultiVoice Solution - ascend.com
MultiVPN Solution - ascend.com
Carrier-Signaling Solution - ascend.com
Network Wholesaling Solution - ascend.com
Remote Access Concentrator Market Share Leadership -
ascend.com
Frame Relay and ATM Market Share Leadership -
ascend.com
Stratus Computer Acquisition - ascend.com
Alcatel Alliance - ascend.com
Cable & Wireless Customer Win - ascend.com
MultiVPN SecureConnect/Pipeline announced today.
MultiVPN Market Leadership announced today.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O) develops, manufactures,
sells and services wide area networking solutions for
telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate
customers worldwide.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit
the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to
info@ascend.com. For Investor Relations, please call our
communications hotline at 800-648-3059 or 760-704-4423 (outside the US
& Canada). Additional investor information can also be accessed on our
Web site at: ascend.com. Ascend is headquartered
at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif. 94502;
phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510-814-2300.
The foregoing statements may contain forward-looking statements
that are based on current expectations and involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these
expectations as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the
Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new products,
competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's
dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain
components used in its products, risks inherent in international
sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other
factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made
periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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