(COMTEX) B: Mockingbird Networks Unveils Breakthrough Hybrid IP Telep
B: Mockingbird Networks Unveils Breakthrough Hybrid IP Telephony Switch for
Competitive Access Providers in Emerging and Deregulated Markets
CUPERTINO, CALIF. (April 14) BUSINESS WIRE -April 14, 1999--
Nuvo 500 Offers Highly Scalable, Standards-Based Solution
for Building Integrated SS7, PSTN and IP Networks
Mockingbird Networks, a pioneering developer of enabling technology for
Competitive Access Providers, today announced the Nuvo 500 hybrid IP
telephony switch.
The Nuvo 500 is a highly scalable switch that is based on major voice
and data communications standards, enabling competitive carriers to
quickly and cost-effectively deploy a state-of-the-art IP-based
telephony network. By combining legacy PSTN and IP data networking
technology in a single switching platform, Mockingbird Networks makes
it easy for new carriers to offer a range of communications services,
including voice, fax, data, and Internet.
"The Mockingbird switch represents the second major wave of the IP
telephony wave," said Paul Johnson, Senior Technology Analyst at
BancBoston Robertson Stephens. "The first wave was characterized by
Voice-over-IP devices that enable existing TDM switches to
cost-effectively transport voice traffic over IP backbones. Now,
carriers are looking for a fresh approach to building converged
networks the right way - from the ground up. With the Mockingbird
approach, the carriers will be able to immediately take advantage of IP
to provide cost-effective long-distance calling. Then, after they are
established, they will be able to use the Mockingbird switches to grow
their businesses, and provide new merged voice and data services."
The Nuvo 500 is fully standards-based, offering a seamless interface to
the TDM/circuit-switched PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), SS7
(Signaling System 7) for providing call control features between
network locations, H.323 for PC/IP-based calling and IP (Internet
Protocol) for cost-effective voice transport and enhanced data
services. The switch is based on a fully redundant Solaris system,
providing reliable, carrier-class operation and an open platform for
custom application development. The Mockingbird solution is designed
for competitive carriers who need to start small, then quickly scale to
accommodate growing numbers of subscribers. The switch can scale in
place, and without disruption, to support from 48 full-duplex voice
channels to 600 channels per shelf. Carriers can cluster multiple
Mockingbird switches through SS7 to support over 10,000 simultaneous
channels.
"Competitive carriers around the world are looking for a cost-effective
platform for building the new generation of telephony networks," said
Craig Forney, Chief Executive Officer at Mockingbird Networks. "While
the promise of converging voice and data networks is clearly
understood, until now it has been out of the reach of many new
carriers. By converting and transporting TDM/circuit-based traffic to
the packet network in a single, scalable platform, we are enabling the
new generation of service providers to offer their customers innovative
and differentiated services - faster, and at dramatically lower cost."
The Nuvo 500 architecture was designed from the ground up to integrate
the SS7, PSTN and IP networks. Unlike legacy TDM switches, which
integrate IP and SS7 as add-on technologies, the Mockingbird solution
works seamlessly with both the voice and data networks. The switch
appears to the PSTN network as a virtual tandem class 4 switch, while
to the IP network it appears as a router capable of forwarding voice,
fax and data traffic. Support for SS7 enables the Nuvo 500 to work with
the emerging Intelligent Network (IN) infrastructure, which moves
enhanced services features such as alternative billing, messaging and
number portability out of the legacy switches into standards-based
service modules. With support for H.323, the IP standard for call
control, the Mockingbird solution will support PC-to-phone, PC-to-PC,
and phone-to-H.323 device calling. Target Market
The Mockingbird solution is targeted at competitive carriers in
emerging and deregulated markets, including the small to medium PTT,
Emerging International Carriers, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
(CLECs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These carriers have a
common requirement for cost-effectively servicing small to mid-size
subscriber bases of dozens to tens of thousands. Equally important,
unlike incumbent service providers, who have established relatively
consistent subscriber bases, competitive carriers have to be able to
manage rapid growth. With a base configuration of 48 ports, and
seamless scalability for up to 600 ports in a single switch, the
Mockingbird solution offers the right installation options for these
carriers.
"The Mockingbird switch will make it possible for us to quickly enter
the international long-distance market," said Roger Sheppard, CEO at
CommSource International, an emerging international carrier with
operations throughout Latin America. "We will start field trials with
the Nuvo 500 later this quarter in Venezuela, and will be offering
integrated voice, fax and data services. I do not believe that there is
anything similar to the Mockingbird solution that combines the
sophisticated technology we want with the size and scalability we need.
Other options were either significantly too large, or based on older
technology. We think that Mockingbird will give us a significant
competitive advantage - both in terms of on-going costs, and in our
ability to offer our customers a broad range of new products and
services." About the Nuvo Hybrid IP Telephony Switch
The Nuvo architecture operates as both a TDM/circuit switch and a
subscriber-side Voice over IP gateway. With important call completion
features, including single-stage dialing, instant call setup and
circuit management, and CLASS features which are generated from a Class
5 voice switch, the Mockingbird switch provides the functionality
competitive long-distance carriers require. Additionally, with
sophisticated voice compression, treatment and packetization, and the
ability to work with fax and data traffic, the Mockingbird IP media
gateway provides state-of-the-art IP telephony functionality.
"We at AudioCodes are delighted to be working with Mockingbird
Networks. Their experience with open systems and SPARC/Solaris
architecture coupled with their computer telephony, SS7 enhanced
services expertise will provide for a richly featured IP Telephony
Hybrid Switch" said Bruce Gellman, Vice President of Sales and
Marketing at AudioCodes. "They have a proven track record in being able
to architect and produce robust embedded platforms. They have taken
advantage of our architecture by enhancing it and porting it to the
Solaris environment." Practical Details
The Nuvo 500 is available now for market trials, and the company plans
to make them generally available in May. It is priced starting at $50,
000 for an entry-level configuration. About Mockingbird Networks
Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Opus Systems, Mockingbird Networks
(MBN) develops IP telephony equipment for the competitive carrier
market. The company's Nuvo IP telephony switches enable carriers in
emerging and deregulated markets to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy
a network infrastructure that supports both traditional voice
communications and new IP-based next-generation applications. The
company leverages its hardware design and telephony expertise to
deliver this new class of SS7-enabled, open systems switches with the
fault resilience, network management, density, serviceability, and
performance required for carrier-class equipment. The company is
privately held with significant venture and corporate financing.
Mockingbird Networks is located 10050 Bubb Road, Cupertino, California
95014 and can be reached at 408.342.1067. Fax 408.342.1061 or visit
www.mockingbirdnetworks.com
-0- cs/sf*
CONTACT: Dave & Bairey Communications, LLC
Fiona Hughes, 925/672-9547
fiona@dbcomm.com
or
Mockingbird Networks
John Chun, 408/342-1067
jchun@mbird.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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