( BW)(ASCEND-COMMUNICATIONS)(ASND) Ascend Delivers First
Carrier-Class Signaling System 7 - SS7 - Solution for Voice and Data Integration
Business Editors, Computer Writers
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 1998--
Ascend Signaling Gateway Relieves Internet Congestion, Enables
Future Revenue Generating Services for Network Service Providers
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions
for providers and users of the Public Network, today announced the Ascend Signaling Gateway (ASG), a
new product that allows the company's market leading WAN Access Switches to communicate directly
with the SS7 carrier-signaling network.
This capability allows Network Service Providers (NSPs) to relieve congestion on central office (CO)
telephone switches, thereby eliminating the need to purchase additional class 4/5 CO equipment, and will
in future releases allow more interoperability between data networks and the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN).
For end users and the corporate enterprise, the Ascend Signaling Gateway will bring greater reliability
in Internet connectivity, and enable new revenue generating applications over integrated voice and data
networks.
"The Ascend Signaling Gateway is a key element of Ascend's MultiVoice strategy to deliver managed
toll quality, carrier-class voice and fax services for carriers and ISPs over their existing and future data
networks," said David Misunas, vice president and general manager Voice and Carrier Signaling at
Ascend.
"We're rolling out a solution that saves NSPs money and relieves congestion problems, while extending
the platform to lead the market in transparent voice/data integration."
The SS7 Market Opportunity
Data traffic on public networks is growing at such a fast pace that in some areas of the world it has
already surpassed voice traffic. To meet this growing demand, NSPs are building carrier-class data
networks to carry voice, data and video traffic. This is what Ascend refers to as the New Public Network
(NPN).
However, the NPN will need to interoperate with the existing PSTN and the key to that interoperability
is the SS7 carrier-signaling network. By creating gateways, such as the Ascend Signaling Gateway, data
networking vendors can allow advanced voice and data applications to work interchangeably over either
network, thereby increasing functionality and reducing costs.
As a leader in the WAN Access market, ranked number one in revenue and ports by market research
firm Dell'Oro Group, Ascend is well positioned to provide the first carrier-class SS7 solution for
voice/data convergence. Delivering an end-to-end scalable approach to SS7, the ASG enables NSPs to
leverage a broad range of capabilities such as Internet call diversion, voice/fax over data, VPNs, and
high-speed 56K-modem technology.
As a key component of Ascend's MultiVoice strategy, the ASG enables transparent integration of voice
networks with voice and fax over Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and Frame
Relay networks, allowing customers to maximize their existing investments.
"Ascend's SS7 strategy is in line with the needs of many Service Providers seeking to achieve synergies
between their voice and data networks," said Christine Heckart, vice president of TeleChoice. "The
Ascend Signaling Gateway is designed to help Service Providers solve the immediate problem of Internet
traffic congestion from the PSTN, and position for future service opportunities like voice and fax over IP."
Features and Benefits
Many networking vendors have made general announcements about SS7, but only Ascend is delivering a
complete, carrier-class SS7 solution that combines Ascend's market leading MAX TNT(TM) product with
the Ascend Signaling Gateway.
Benefits of the Ascend Signaling Gateway include:
-- Cost-effective solution to Internet call diversion. The ASG
enables Service Providers to relieve congestion on voice
networks by diverting data calls off of costly class 4/5
switches to Ascend's MAX TNT WAN Access Switches.
-- Provides a path to new revenue generating services. The ASG
will use existing SS7 voice networks to route voice, fax and
data calls over IP, ATM and Frame Relay networks. This vlwers
infrastructure costs for Service Providers and enables the
creation of new revenue generating services over integrated voice
and data networks.
-- Carrier-class SS7 solution for voice and data integration. The
ASG is built on the proven SS7 HP OpenCall platform, and the NEBs
compliant, high-density MAX TNT WAN Access Switch. In addition,
the ASG is scalable from 10,000 ports to 200,000 and is fault
tolerant with dual HP 9000 processors, dual Signal interface
units and dual connections to the MAX TNT. One ASG can connect
to multiple MAX TNTs.
-- Enabling transaction based billing over data networks. By
providing call setup and call duration information, NSPs can now
provide transaction-based billing. The ASG produces standard Call
Detail Records for billing.
"With such dramatic Internet growth, the biggest problem ISPs and carriers face is dwindling network
resources," said Bob Walsh, chief information officer at Thrifty Call. "In routing traffic off the PSTN, the
Ascend Signaling Gateway will not only provide optimal network efficiency, but make room for future
value-added and cost-effective services. We are eager to implement this important SS7 solution."
Future releases of the ASG will integrate Ascend's MultiVoice technologies with SS7 carrier signaling,
and will equip Service Providers with Intelligent Network-based (IN) enhanced services, including
alternate call routing, network modem pooling, and other standard SS7 capabilities for optimal network
resource management.
The ASG and MAX TNTs are managed by Ascend's NavisAccess for monitoring, provisioning,
configuring, and reporting. NavisAccess provides integrated network management and control.
The ASG is being developed in three phases: Phase I provides Internet call diversion, Phase II will
integrate voice services across the data network, and Phase III will enable enhanced IN network services.
HP OpenCall for Reliability and Interoperability
Ascend's SS7 solution is built on HP OpenCall, a comprehensive platform for computer-based IN
functionality for carrier-class reliability and flexibility. The ASG combines Ascend's networking
innovation with HP's carrier-class technology to provide a stable and interoperable environment for SS7
capabilities. HP OpenCall has been proven as a Service Control Point (SCP) in carrier networks, ensuring
ASG's reliability and interoperability.
Pricing and Availability
The first release of the Ascend Signaling Gateway will support Internet call diversion from voice to
data networks with multiple hardware configurations for growth from 10,000 ports to 200,000 ports. The
initial release, scheduled for the end of August, will support up to 50,000 ports.
The total system price per port is $69 to $101 (US pricing). International pricing and availability may
vary. Customers outside of the United States should contact their local Ascend sales representative.
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
(ext. 131), mvalt@alexandercom.com. Investors and financial analysts, please contact: Kristina Graziano,
510/747-2345, kristina.graziano@ascend.com; or 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.
The foregoing statements may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations
and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a
result of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping
new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's dependence on
single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in
international sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in
Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
--30--DB/sf* rn/sf
CONTACT: Ascend Communications, Alameda
Todd Koch, 510/747-2672
todd.koch@ascend.com
or
Alexander Communications
Meredith Valt, 415/923-1660
mvalt@alexandercom.com
or
Hoffman Agency for HP
Shelly Greenhalgh, 408/975-3039
sgreenhalgh@hoffman.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET PRODUCT
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