Ascend Unveils Equipment for Unclogging Internet
Traffic Jams
Ascend Unveils Equipment for Unclogging Internet Traffic Jams
Alameda, California, Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Ascend
Communications Inc. unveiled computer-networking equipment that
makes it easier for phone companies to handle Internet traffic,
giving it a jump on rivals in a lucrative new market.
Ascend used technology it acquired when it bought Stratus
Computer Corp. for the so-called SS-7 Gateway product, which has
been tested by several Internet service providers and is
available immediately, company executives said. Ascend closed its
$822 million purchase of Stratus on October 20.
The gateway lets phone companies transfer calls containing
data communications onto the Internet before they reach switches
used for voice calls, freeing up capacity on their networks.
Alameda, California-based Ascend is racing against larger rivals
Cisco Systems Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc. and others to make
Internet gear for telecommunications carriers.
''They're the first ones to have this stuff ready,'' said
Craig Johnson, principal analyst with the market research firm
Pita Group in Portland, Oregon.
Ascend began working with Stratus before it acquired the
company to make sure Ascend's remote access equipment, which
route incoming Internet calls, worked with Stratus's SS-7 gear,
used to direct voice calls.
''This product is designed to alleviate traffic congestion
on the traditional phone network,'' said Rod Randall, vice
president of marketing for Ascend's carrier signaling division.
Cisco, the top maker of networking equipment, said last
month it will work with No. 3 computer-maker Hewlett-Packard Co.
to develop similar products, the first of which are expected to
ship in the first quarter of 1999.
Shares of Ascend rose 1/4 to 53. |
