US Xchange Selects Ascend's Market-Leading B-STDX 9000 Switches to Build Premier Frame
Relay Backbone Network
Business Wire - November 17, 1998 08:14
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1998--
Multiservice Frame Relay WAN Switches and Navis Network Management Solutions Offer Fast-Growing CLEC Competitive Business Advantages
Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Networking (IN) solutions for providers and users of the
next generation public network, today announced that its B-STDX 9000 Multiservice Frame Relay WAN switches have been chosen by US Xchange, LLC, a
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) based in Michigan, to build a premier data network in the Midwest.
"Ascend's B-STDX multiservice Frame Relay switches offer us a competitive advantage in delivering scalable, cost-effective new solutions for our customers,"
said Connell Black, director of Packet Switched Technologies at US Xchange. "In evaluating our options, Ascend's multiservice approach, outstanding network
management solutions and proven commitment to advance the platform to ensure we maximize our network made the B-STDX 9000 the clear choice."
The B-STDX family of broadband packet switches enables service providers, like US Xchange, to build the next generation public network. These multiservice
products offer a combination of Frame Relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), switched multi gigabit data services (SMDS), ISDN and internet protocol
(IP) technology in one platform.
They give service providers higher performance, expanded service capability and Quality of Service (QoS). US Xchange will use the B-STDX 9000 switches to
help solve the challenge of interconnection between cities as the company builds out its network.
US Xchange's new Frame Relay backbone will consist of 10 nodes that span 12 cities across the Midwest. The new network will have OC-3, DS3 and T1
trunking between: Appleton, Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago and Rockford, Illinois; Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan; and
Bloomington Evansville, Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana. National and international service is also slated for availability via partnership agreements.
US Xchange will add Virtual Private Networking (VPN) capabilities, which are powered by Ascend's market-leading MultiVPN solution. Corporate customers
and second-tier Internet service providers (ISPs) are looking for reliable, secure VPN solutions.
"We're pleased our continued leadership in carrier-class Frame Relay WAN switching is recognized by US Xchange," said Tom DeCanio, vice president,
Product Marketing, Core Systems Division at Ascend. "Our solutions will give US Xchange a competitive advantage by enabling them to provide customers
with reliable Frame Relay services and to quickly deliver next-generation solutions like MultiVPN."
Ascend's Navis service management products, namely NavisCore and NavisXtend, were also cited by US Xchange as important elements in selecting
Ascend's equipment. US Xchange will use Navis service management products to manage its network end-to-end, as well as to reduce operating costs and
speed service delivery.
About US Xchange, LLC
US Xchange is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) founded in 1996 and certified by the FCC. US Xchange is committed to providing unparalleled
customer service, as well as a full range of competitively priced business and residential phone services, easy-to-understand invoicing, and state-of-the-art
communications technology. For more information about US Xchange, please visit the US Xchange Web site at www.usxchange.com.
US Xchange is headquartered at 20 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 450, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503; 888/731-1494 (voice) or 888/731-1503 (fax).
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND) 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 the Ascend communications hotline at 800/648-3059 or 760/704-4423 (outside the U.S. & Canada). |
