Vendors' ISDN Association holds
Industry Forum; sets technical, market
agenda for 1997-98; VIA to focus on
applications implementation, educating
industry and end-users
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1997--The
Vendors' ISDN Association (VIA), an association of ISDN
CPE vendors devoted to the automation, simplification, and
global deployment of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network), held an Industry Forum here May 13 to update
progress on its three key initiatives and to announce new
initiatives for 1997-98.
At the meeting, VIA provided an update on the significant
progress achieved in the past six months on its three current
initiatives: Always On/Dynamic ISDN (AO/DI), CPE
Diagnostics (CPED), and Initialization Simplification (IS). New
initiatives were also identified by the members of VIA as key
focus areas over the next 12 months. Current Initiatives
AO/DI, an application proposed by VIA members as a key
ISDN initiative in 1996, uses the ISDN D-channel X.25 packet
service to maintain an "always on" virtual connection between
an ISDN end-user and an information service provider. This
continuous connection allows more efficient use of the
existing network infrastructure by ISPs and the LEC, and
results in a less expensive, more efficient connection for
end-users.
At the meeting, 15 VIA companies announced that they will
incorporate AO/DI technology into their products by the first
quarter of 1998. These companies include 3Com, ADTRAN,
Bay Networks, BinTec Communications, Eicon Technology,
Intel, ITK Telecommunications, Jetstream Communications,
Motorola, Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, U.S. Robotics, Virtual
Access, and ZyXEL. Products supporting AO/DI will be
introduced by these companies beginning with the third
quarter of 1997. VIA members will work with the North
American ISDN Users' Forum's (NIUF) newly formed AO/DI Ad
Hoc Group and with the National ISDN Council (NIC) to
advance the implementation process for AO/DI applications.
VIA also reported that it has achieved significant progress in
two principal sections of its Initialization Simplification (IS)
Initiative. The first, Switch Identification, was developed to
distinguish the protocol, version, and type/manufacturer of the
switch being used, thereby eliminating the need for the user to
manually enter the information when initiating a voice or data
call. An agreement was reached with Bellcore this year to
implement Switch ID, resulting in automatic identification of
National ISDN BRI lines.
Eleven VIA companies announced that they currently support
Switch ID or plan to implement the application into their
products by the end of 1997. These companies include 3Com,
ADTRAN, Bay Networks, Digi, Eicon Technology, Motorola,
Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, VideoServer, and Virtual
Access.
AutoSPID, the second chief component of the initiative, is now
available in certain office switches. AutoSPID is currently
supported or will be supported by the end of the year by 16
VIA members including 3Com, ADTRAN, Bay Networks,
BinTec Communications, Digi, Eicon Technology, ITK
Telecommunications, Jetstream Communications, Motorola,
Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, U.S. Robotics, VideoServer,
Virtual Access, and ZyXEL.
VIA reported that a specification for CPE Diagnostics (CPED),
VIA's third initiative, was completed and presented by new
VIA member AT&T at a recent Bellcore-sponsored CPE
Diagnostics workshop. VIA is working closely with Bellcore to
develop standardized diagnostics capabilities in vendor
equipment, including state and fault management, cause
codes, and loopback testing, among others. These diagnostic
tools will allow rapid troubleshooting and resolution of ISDN
troubles, resulting in better quality service for end-users and
more efficient problem-solving capabilities from telco service
technicians.
VIA members are committed in principle to the CPED
specification; members Jetstream Communications, TELES,
U.S. Robotics, and Virtual Access will implement CPED into
their products by the first quarter of 1998.
"VIA has already made great strides in the past eight months
toward the simplification of ISDN," said Walt Mansell, VIA's
new president, who participated in the Industry Forum. "We
have a full agenda of goals and objectives for the coming year,
both in driving the current initiatives toward full implementation
and use, and in addressing new issues to further simplify and
automate ISDN."
"VIA and NIC have established a very strong working
relationship in VIA's first year of existence," added Garrett
Jenkins, NIC chair. "Our organizations are working in parallel
to implement technology which brings us closer to achieving
our common goal of ISDN automation and widespread
deployment." New Initiatives
VIA and the NIC agreed at the Industry Forum to continue
working together on implementation of the three key
initiatives, as well as to identify new technical and market
focus areas. Proposed initiatives for 1997-98 include ISDN
ordering codes simplification, EZ ISDN codes, tariff
consistency, and provisioning improvements, among others.
VIA has already been heavily involved in the development of
simplified, standardized ISDN ordering codes (IOC) and with
EZ ISDN codes, and will increase its focus in these areas.
Tariff standardization is necessary for AO/DI implementation,
and as such, will be a significant issue for VIA to resolve.
VIA is currently developing a market education program
designed to inform potential end-users about the benefits of
using ISDN. Additionally, VIA is working to educate telcos,
Internet service providers (ISPs), CPE vendors, and other
companies involved in networking and communications
technologies about the benefits of VIA's key initiatives. In
addition to its education programs, VIA will explore ways to
work with all industry organizations to simplify and automate
ISDN.
North America,United States of America
BUSINESS WIRE
Author: Business Editors & Computer Writers
May 27, 1997 |
