Ascend and HP Announce Integration for Data and Telephony Networks
Ascend and HP Announce Integration for Data and
Telephony Networks
Business Wire - May 11, 1998 08:19
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 1998--
Collaboration Speeds to Market Ascend's New SS7 Solutions based on HP
OpenCall; Solutions Expected to Lower Cost for Solving Internet Dial-up Traffic
Congestion
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND) and Hewlett-Packard Company
(NYSE:HWP), today announced plans to develop SS7 Carrier Signaling Network
solutions to solve Internet congestion problems, while driving network infrastructure
costs down for Telcos/ISPs.
Ascend is the leading supplier of wide area network (WAN) solutions to network
service providers, and HP is a leading supplier of SS7 and Intelligent Network (IN)
platforms to Network Equipment Providers.
This development provides the foundation for a new network architecture designed
to optimize the routing and processing of Internet traffic across the public switched
telephone network (PSTN). This reflects Ascend's support for SS7 as a key part of
its recently announced MultiVoice strategy to help customers leverage the service
convergence across voice and IP networks. The MultiVoice strategy, based on a
new version of the HP OpenCall IN platform, involves interoperability with the SS7
network, which will be delivered by Ascend. The resulting architecture is expected
to support future product developments such as voice-over-IP communications and
broadband ATM access.
"Ascend is using the HP Open Call Intelligent Network Platform to build new data
and voice applications for Carriers and ISPs. HP OpenCall provides a flexible and
comprehensive platform for computer-based Intelligent Network (IN) functionality,
offering the reliability, performance, and scalability required in this fast-paced
market segment," said David Misunas, vice president of Strategic Business
Development for Ascend. "And HP has the mix of commercial computing and PSTN
expertise we need to help our carrier and ISP customers reduce infrastructure costs
on their network, while simultaneously preparing for a new wave of
revenue-generating IP telephony services."
"As the market-share leader in Internet access equipment, Ascend is in an
excellent position to extend and integrate its architecture across PSTN and the
Internet," said Virgil Marton, general manager of HP's Telecom Infrastructure
Division. "The collaboration with Ascend is a critical component of our strategy to
provide the computing foundation for what HP calls the "extended network," which
is the convergence of PSTN, Internet, intranets, and private communication
networks."
About HP
HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance supplier to the
1998 World Cup soccer tournament.
Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and
intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all
of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 123,300
employees and had revenues of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.
Information about HP and its products can be found on the Web at www.hp.com.
Information about HP OpenCall platforms can be found at www.hp.com/telecom.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area
networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and
corporate customers worldwide.
Press and Industry analysts, please contact Meredith Valt, Alexander
Communications, 415/923-1660, mvalt@alexandercom.com: Investors and financial
analysts, please contact Kristina Graziano, 510/747-2345,
kristina.graziano@ascend.com; for all other inquiries please call toll-free:
800/ASCEND4.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend web
site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to info@ascend.com. Ascend is
headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif.
94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510/814-2300. |
