MCI WorldCom to Trial Next Generation Switching
Platforms From Lucent Technologies
MURRAY HILL, N.J., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- MCI WorldCom will trial
systems from Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU -
news) designed to enhance the broadband switching technology throughout
MCI WorldCom's global network. The trial, set to
begin in the third quarter of 1999, is part of MCI WorldCom's continuing
initiative to evolve their existing narrowband network
into a next-generation broadband network using a multi-service switching
platform.
Lucent's broadband solution will enable MCI WorldCom to deliver advanced
telephony and data services over local, tandem
and long-distance networks. The planned trial will include Lucent's recently
announced 7 R/E(TM) portfolio along with core
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches from recently acquired Ascend
Communications.
''Our vision is to build the most flexible, worldwide network using the most
advanced ATM and IP technology available,'' said
Fred Briggs, chief technology officer, MCI WorldCom. ''Lucent's solutions will
help us quickly bring the best in broadband
technology to the marketplace.''
The Lucent broadband solution selected for the initial trial will enable carriers
like MCI WorldCom to realize the advantages of
putting their traditional local, tandem and toll traffic on a broadband ATM
infrastructure. This technology platform can be used
to evolve efficiently to a network optimized for IP (Internet Protocol).
''Lucent is pleased to continue our work with MCI WorldCom and to help
them expand and evolve next-generation networks
around the world,'' said Dan Stanzione, executive vice president of Lucent
Technologies and president of Lucent's Broadband
Networks Group. ''With the comprehensive broadband solutions offered by
Lucent -- including the latest packet-based
technology developed at Bell Labs -- MCI WorldCom will be able to offer the
services their customers need over the most
cost-effective, easy-to-operate networks.''
The third quarter trial includes Lucent's new 7R/E Call Feature Server, 7R/E
Multimedia Resource Server and 7R/E Packet
Gateway products. The 7R/E Call Feature Server unlocks the more than
3,000 features that are available today over circuit
switches, such as three-way calling, call waiting and Caller ID, and delivers
them over packet networks. Using the 7 R/E Call
Feature Server, calls are processed in packet format with the unmatched
reliability and voice quality of Lucent's 5ESS®
Switch, the foundation of today's public network.
The trial also includes the GX 550(TM) ''Smart'' Core ATM switches, GX
250(TM) Multiservice Extender and CBX
500(TM) Multiservice switches developed by the former Ascend
Communications. These carrier-class core switching
platforms deliver multiple revenue-generating services from a single network
inf |
