News of interest:
Level 3 Communications Leads Council to Define New Standards for Network Interconnection
Monday, June 22, 1998 02:21 PM
Industry Wide Council to Develop Bridge Between Traditional Circuit-Switched Networks and Emerging Internet Protocol
(IP) Networks
OMAHA, Neb., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced the formation
of a new technical advisory council (TAC) with a charter to develop a set of technical standards to bridge between current
circuit-based public switched telephone networks (PSTN) and emerging Internet Protocol (IP) based networks.
The TAC brings together leading communications hardware and software companies from across the industry. Founding
members of the TAC include 3Com Corporation, Alcatel Telecom, Ascend Communications, Cisco Systems, Ericsson,
Level 3 Communications, Lucent Technologies, Nortel (Northern Telecom), Selsius Systems, Stratus Computer, Tekelec,
and Vertical Networks.
"The significance of the TAC lies in the desire to provide customers with the best of both the traditional public switched
telephone networks and the newer IP networks," said James Q. Crowe, president and CEO of Level 3. "To do this, a new
set of standards is needed that will allow the seamless integration of these two types of networks. Such integration will
enable customers to benefit from the lower cost of IP network services, including voice and fax, without modifying existing
telephone and fax equipment or dialing access codes."
Range of Technical Issues Addressed
The TAC's work centers on defining the requirements for controlling a new generation of integrated network access servers.
When implemented, the new, open, and interoperable protocol standards will enable external control and management of
data communications equipment operating at the edge of emerging multi-service packet networks. The protocol will initially
support voice- over-IP, modem dialup, and circuit interface services. Carrier-class products developed by members of the
TAC, and based on the agreed protocol, are expected to be available by the end of 1998.
Members of the TAC presented their protocol requirements to experts from ITU-T Study Group 16, originators of the
H.323 standard upon which Internet telephony is based, who met in Cannes earlier this month. A similar presentation was
made to the ETSI TIPHON project on Internet telephony in Helsinki last week. A draft submission to the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) is in preparation. The TAC plans to submit its final proposal to each of these standards
bodies for adoption.
About the TAC Member Companies
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to stay
more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources anytime,
anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video
communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more
than 200 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprise,
small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, 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.
Alcatel designs, manufactures, and markets complete telecommunications
systems. Activities include fixed switching networks, transmission systems,
access systems, mobile communications infrastructure, business networking,
submarine cable networks, as well as radio communications, space, and defense
systems. In 1997, the Telecom segment of Alcatel Alsthom registered total
sales of $14.2 billion (FF 82.9 billion). For more information, visit Alcatel
via the web at: www.alcatel.com or www.ans.alcatel.com (U.S. site).
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services
wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet
service providers and corporate customers worldwide. For more information
about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend web site at
www.ascend.com.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking
for the Internet. News and information are available at cisco.com.
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 Countries. Their
combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom
systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications.
Ericsson can be reached on the World Wide Web at ericsson.com.
Level 3 is a communications and information services company that is
building the first national Internet Protocol (IP) based network. The Level 3
Network will combine both local and long distance networks, connecting
customers end-to-end across the U.S. Plans also call for the company to
expand internationally. In the interim, Level 3 has signed an agreement to
lease a national network over which it will be able to offer advanced IP-based
services beginning in 1998. Level 3 will provide a full range of
communications services -- including local, long distance and data
transmission as well as other enhanced services and Internet access services.
Level 3's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol LVLT. Its World Wide Web address is www.L3.com.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public
and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking
systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. More
information about Lucent is available on its Web site at
lucent.com.
Nortel's (Northern Telecom's) optical networking solutions are IP-
optimized to deliver global web-based services. In fact, more than 75 percent
of North American Internet traffic is carried over Nortel optical networking
equipment. Nortel works with customers in more than 150 countries to design,
build and integrate their communications products and advanced digital
networks. Customers include public and private institutions; Internet service
providers; local, long-distance, cellular mobile and PCS communications
companies; cable television companies; and utilities. Website:
www.nortel.com.
Founded in July of 1997, Selsius Systems designs, develops and delivers
the industry's first IP based H.323 PBX System. The Selsius IP-PBX includes
the Selsius-Phone family, the first Ethernet IP phone; Selsius-CallManager, a
NT-resident software PBX; and Selsius-Access, a family of IP to circuit
switched analog and digital gateways. Selsius can be reached on the World
Wide Web at selsius.com.
Based in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Stratus Computer, Inc. (NYSE: SRA) is
the premier supplier of computer systems and services where continuous
availability is a critical need. Stratus and its subsidiaries provide
innovative Intelligent Network (IN) and telecom solutions to 27 of the world's
30 largest telecom service providers. Leveraging its IN expertise in
delivering solutions to wireline and wireless carriers, Stratus is building an
Internet IN architecture designed to break the Internet bottleneck and bring
intelligence and value-added applications to the world of Internet telephony.
For more information, visit Stratus on the Internet at stratus.com.
Tekelec (Nasdaq: TKLC) is a leading supplier of innovative network
switching solutions and advanced diagnostic systems that enable rapid delivery
of advanced communications products and services for the global communications
marketplace. Tekelec's EAGLE STP switching platform is designed to meet the
complex requirements of SS7 networks and enable wireline and wireless
operators to deliver intelligent network services. Tekelec's diagnostic
systems are used by communications suppliers and service providers to design,
install and maintain their communications equipment and networks. Tekelec can
be reached on the World Wide Web at tekelec.com.
Founded in 1996, Vertical Networks is the leading developer of a new class
of integrated voice and data communications systems for the rapidly changing
communications marketplace. These next generation systems are designed to
simplify and deliver powerful business communications solutions to remote
corporate offices and small- to medium-sized companies worldwide. These
systems also allow network service providers to offer enhanced voice and data
services and managed network services to attract and retain customers in an
increasingly competitive marketplace. Vertical Networks can be reached on the
World Wide Web at www.vertical.com.
The statements made by Level 3 in this press release may be forward-
looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected
in forward-looking statements. Level 3 believes that our primary risk factors
include, but are not limited to: changes in the overall economy; technology;
the number and size of competitors in our markets; law and regulatory policy;
and the mix of products and services offered in our target markets.
Additional information concerning these and other potential important factors
can be found within Level 3's SEC filings. You should evaluate any statements
in light of these important factors.
SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Josh Howell, 402-943-1309, or David Powers, 617-500-0106, or Investors: Julie Stangl,
402-943-1310, all for Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Quote for referenced ticker symbols: TKLC, SRA, LVLT, CSCO
c 1998, PR Newswire |
