This is getting real interesting !
Thursday December 23, 8:02 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
8x8 Implements Session Initiation Protocol for Internet Telephony
IntraSwitch iPBX Becomes First Software PBX to Support SIP
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 1999--8x8 (Nasdaq:EGHT - news), a leading manufacturer of digital telecommunication products, has endorsed the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for making telephone calls over Internet protocol (IP) networks.
SIP will allow 8x8's IntraSwitch(TM) iPBX (Internet private branch exchange) software to interoperate with gateways, terminals and softswitches from other vendors.
The announcement comes after 8x8 successfully tested the IntraSwitch iPBX with SIP-compatible gateways and phones from Cisco Systems, Mediatrix Peripherals, Nortel Networks, Nuera Communications, Pingtel Corporation and 3Com Corporation recently at an industry-wide SIP interoperability test event hosted by Ericsson in Dallas, Texas. SIP became an official standard of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in March 1999 and has gained significant support among telecom equipment vendors, carriers, CLECs, cable operators and web-based voice chat providers.
8x8's IntraSwitch iPBX software provides the switching intelligence for a hosted iPBX system: it sets up and routes calls, interfaces with voice mail systems and interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and provides a link to enterprise computing systems to allow computer/telephony integration (CTI). The IntraSwitch iPBX is the first software PBX to implement Sun Microsystems' Java Telephony Applications Programming Interface (JTAPI), a CTI interface that allows computers to efficiently control telephone switches.
iPBX hosting is a new concept pioneered by 8x8 wherein telephone service providers such as competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) can provide small- and medium-sized businesses with PBX functionality over IP networks. This arrangement eliminates the need for businesses to manage a complex private telephone system while providing the flexibility and customization capability that businesses need to be competitive. ``iPBX-hosting' is similar in concept to application hosting services that allow businesses to outsource email operations, Web site hosting and e-commerce implementations as services.
Incorporating SIP support into the IntraSwitch iPBX allows it to interoperate with gateways to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), telephones and other softswitches that support the SIP standard. Interoperability between equipment from multiple vendors is necessary to allow IP telephone networks to be rapidly and cost effectively deployed.
``With its easy-to-implement character and robustness, we believe that SIP is the protocol of choice for PSTN gateways and network application servers for conferencing, voice mail and the like,' said Frederic Artru, general manager of 8x8's network software division. ``We look forward to continued development and support of this important new standard in our multi-protocol hosted iPBX.'
About 8x8
8x8 is a leading manufacturer of digital telecommunication products, including both central office and customer premise equipment for IP telephony. By leveraging its vertically integrated technology, the Company provides complete IP telephony solutions to service providers such as ISPs, ILECs and CLECs. For more information, visit 8x8's web site at 8x8.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. 8x8's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, implied or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to factors including in particular dependency on the growth of the market for IP telephony products, the limits of existing IP telephony technology, rapid technological change, compliance with industry standards, the uncertainty of market acceptance of our IP telephony product, of dependence on key personnel, and current and potential competition. Further information on these and other factors that could affect the actual results of 8x8 are included in 8x8's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 8x8 assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
The 8x8 logo is a registered trademark and IntraSwitch and Symphony are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Contact:
8x8, Inc.
Scott St. Clair, 408/727-1885
scottsc@8x8.com
or
TSI Communications
Scot Howard, 650/635-0200 x 256
showard@tsicomm.com
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