3COM CORPORATION ADDS VOICE CAPABILITY TO ITS
INDUSTRY LEADING TOTAL CONTROL MULTI-SERVICE ACCESS
SYSTEM
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 1998--
Major International ISPs and Carriers Implementing VOIP to Bring Multiple Interactive
Services to Internet/Intranet Users
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced the addition of Voice Over IP (VOIP)
capabilities for its Total Control(TM) remote access concentrator. This represents one of the
industry's first major efforts at combining multiple services in a single platform as today's
Internet access evolves into multimedia, real-time communications and services. The list of
customers currently evaluating the 3Com solution includes IBM Global Services, Siemens, and
USA Global Link. In addition, the Internet solutions business unit of Siemens Telecom
Networks, a leading telecommunications solutions provider, has embraced the Total Control
system as the standard platform for integration into VOIP solutions currently under
development.
The Total Control VOIP implementation is a carrier-class remote access application that
provides investment protection and service integration for existing customers. At the same time,
it enables new customers to offer enhanced services cost effectively, and over a single network.
This level of service integration over a single network translates into significant cost reduction
for service providers and end users. "This progressive convergence of voice and data onto a
single network will bring competitive new services, cost savings and state-of-the-art technology
to 3Com customers," said Virginia Brooks, director of network research at Aberdeen Group.
"The standards-based Total Control system enables service providers to complement their data
offering with value-added services such as voice, fax, video, virtual private networking and
content -- all delivered on a single platform. With the addition of Voice Over IP, the business
case for remote access increases dramatically."
Supporting both the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard T.120 and H.323
protocol stacks, the new Total Control VOIP system is geared toward standards-based,
interactive, multimedia communications. Leveraging the flexibility of 3Com's new HiPer(TM)
DSP technology, the system implements standard G.711, G.723.1 and G.729 voice coding and
decoding for ensured compatibility with standard global phone systems. The universal design of
the Total Control HiPer access system provides the ability to process voice, fax and multimedia
in a single system -- and in one of the highest density interactive access solutions in the industry.
The integration of additional applications and technologies in the Total Control platform can save
an organization from having to deploy additional networking equipment. "Voice over IP is
considered just one of many possible revenue-enhancing services, another application that can
be software-downloaded onto the Total Control platform," said Gary Hamm, chief technology
officer for USA Global Link. "The product, in effect, changes the paradigm of remote access,
merging the voice and data capabilities into a single platform. It will change the way people do
business. In reality, it will allow service providers to offer telephony services and create new
revenue streams in voice and fax over IP where none existed before."
Based on advanced DSP and modem technology, the 3Com Total Control platform is currently
the industry leader with 40 percent revenue market share (Dell'Oro Group Q3 1997 Report). A
key competitive advantage for 3Com is its expertise in DSP technology. The enhanced
capabilities like VOIP are made possible through 3Com's industry-first HiPer DSP technology
and programmable DSP engines, which are superior to standard modem chipsets with three key
capabilities: -- Each DSP engine handles two remote access sessions, utilizing scalable
distributed DSP processing; -- The DSP engines terminate modem, ISDN, fax, multimedia and
voice
calls, all in the same DSP engine; -- And HiPer DSP technology is software upgradable to new
technologies and features.
For these reasons, Total Control customers have advantages over competing platforms that rely
on fixed-function chipsets from third-party manufacturers, which are restricted to providing just
analog modem support. "The integration of VOIP services is just another way that 3Com is
turning its Total Control system into the universal access platform of choice, well ahead of its
competitors," said Ross Manire, senior vice president and general manager, 3Com Carrier
Systems. "The VOIP capability in the Total Control system allows service providers and
enterprises to adapt to the changing marketplace quickly, custom tailoring applications, and
putting them into the Total Control platform. This capability will be a critical element for more
and more companies, as VOIP is leveraged as the mechanism for improved agility in a changing
marketplace."
The Total Control VOIP platform will be demonstrated for the first time at Comnet '98 in
Washington, D.C., January 27-29 (3Com Booth No. 616). The Total Control VOIP system is
priced separately, with pricing to be announced, and is expected to be available worldwide by
the end of March 1998. The VOIP capability also is expected to be available on 3Com's
SuperStack(R) II Remote Access 3000 family, a complete stackable remote access solution for
small to large enterprises, later this year. About 3Com 3Com Corporation enables individuals
and organizations worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime
from anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video
communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million
customers worldwide. The company provides enterprises, network service providers and
carriers, small businesses and consumers with comprehensive, innovative information access
products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and
wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at
3com.com, or the press site at 3com.com
Note to Editors: 3Com and SuperStack are registered trademarks, and HiPer and Total Control
are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other brands and product names
may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
3Com Public Relations
Philip Anast, 847/797-6576
philip_anast@mw.3com.com
or
The Weber Group
Eric Eddy, 650/463-8653
eeddy@ca.webergroup.com
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