Press Release from Level3 re New Protocol
Circuit-Switched Networks and Emerging Internet Protocol (IP) Networks
OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:
LVLT) today announced the release of technical specifications for a new protocol suite
designed to bridge current circuit-based public switched telephone networks (PSTN)
and emerging Internet Protocol (IP) based networks.
"We're pleased the Technical Advisory Council (TAC) was able to accomplish its goal
on the aggressive schedule we set for ourselves," said Isaac Elliott, TAC Chairman and
Senior Director of Voice Network Engineering for Level 3 Communications. "Internet
technology is recognized as the technology of the future and is where an enormous
amount of entrepreneurial effort as well as capital - both financial and intellectual - is
being directed. Level 3 is building a next-generation IP network. This new protocol
suite allows seamless integration between Level 3's IP-based network and the PSTN
and will accelerate the development of new Internet-based products and services."
Known as Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), the specification includes six
documents developed over the last 60 days by the TAC, a consortium made up of
Level 3 and leading communications hardware and software companies from across the
industry. TAC member companies include 3Com Corporation, Alcatel, Ascend
Communications, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Level 3 Communications, Lucent
Technologies, Nortel (Northern Telecom), Selsius Systems, Stratus Computer,
Tekelec, and Vertical Networks.
The IPDC Protocol Defined
In bridging IP networks with those of the PSTN, the IPDC specification enables
external control and management of data communications equipment operating at the
edge of emerging multi-service packet networks. Such devices - which the TAC terms
"media gateways" - include voice over IP gateways, modem banks, and circuit cross
connects. Hardware and software combinations known collectively as "media gateway
controllers" manage the media gateways.
"The scope of the IPDC initiative is intentionally broad, yet each individual specification
addresses a well-defined area," said Elliott. "The protocol specifications cover four
major component areas, including: 'signaling transport' within an IP network; 'device
management' of the media gateways themselves; 'media control' functionality which
allows for detection and generation of specific in-band events; and 'connection control'
within the media gateways. Suppliers are already creating implementations of the IPDC
specifications and we expect that products based on the protocol will ship by the end of
the year."
TAC Submits IPDC Protocol to Standards Bodies
The TAC has submitted the IPDC specification draft to both the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF) and to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards
bodies. According to Elliott, "bridging of IP-based networks with the PSTN will be
facilitated by the efforts of the TAC as well as by initiatives already underway in a
number of forums. Our IPDC draft will be up for discussion at the IETF and ITU
meetings in August and September, respectively. We look forward to discussing the
breadth and scope of the IPDC specification within both of these organizations."
The Best of Newer IP Networks & the PSTN
The significance of the TAC lies in the desire to provide customers with the best of both
the traditional PSTN and the newer IP networks. 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.
While Level 3 plans to use the IPDC protocol in the development of its own network,
the TAC members envision many next-generation IP Telephony service providers will
soon require this functionality in their own networks. The publication and standardization
of IPDC will help stimulate deployment of IPDC in service provider networks on a
much more aggressive pace than was anticipated only six months ago. As such, Level 3
plans to discuss the benefits of IPDC with interested service providers.
The IPDC specification draft is available on the Level 3 Communications Web site at
l3.com.
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 is a world leader in telecommunications systems and equipment with operations
in over 130 countries. It provides complete solutions and services ranging from
backbone networks to user terminals for operators, service providers, enterprises and
consumers. Alcatel Alsthom, to be renamed Alcatel, has been up to now a
multi-business company with revenues of $31 billion in 1997. It is currently reshaping its
portfolio on its core business, telecom and cables, with a dedicated revenue of $23
billion in 1997. For more information, visit Alcatel via the web at:
alcatel.com or the US web site at www.usa.alcatel.com.
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 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
international network optimized for Internet technology. The Level 3 Network will
combine both local and long distance networks, connecting customers end-to-end
across the U.S. and Europe. The company expects to complete the U.S. intercity
portion of the network by the first quarter of 2001. In the interim, Level 3 has signed an
agreement to lease a national network over which it will be able to begin offering
services in the third quarter of 1998. Level 3 will provide a full range of communications
services -- including local, long distance, international and Internet services. Level 3's
common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol LVLT. Its
World Wide Web address is 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:
nortel.com.
Founded in July of 1997, Selsius Systems designs, develops and delivers the industry's
first IP-based H.323 PBX System. Our vision positions the IP network as the vehicle
for deploying and managing standards-based voice services. The Selsius-IP PBX(TM)
allows customers to migrate their voice requirements to an IP network, at their own
pace, without disrupting their current PBX environment. Our products include the
Selsius Call-Manager(TM), an NT-resident software PBX, the Selsius-Phone(TM),
which is the industry's first Ethernet IP phone, 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
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/
/Web site: l3.com
(LVLT)
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