Gary,
some thoughts:
1. There are several products in the LU packet voice strategy - the 7R/E Packet driver and the 7R/E call feature server are just a part of it.
2. There is over $100 billion in installed investment in 5ESS switches world-wide. This solution allows service providers to re-use these already paid for assets for next generation services. The need for line cards to terminate POTS connections isn't going away quickly - in fact, installation of these connections is still growing in the high single digits industry wide, with LU taking mucho share. Now with this solution, current LU customers can add a module and a server that will a: terminate xDSL and other digital connections, b: connect via ATM, Gigabit ENet, etc. on the trunk side, c: manage protocol translation from analog voice to IP to ATM, d: deliver the full range of feature functionality available on the 5ESS (an extraordinary accomplishment) for packet-voice, e: leave the flexibility to offer alternative services - i.e. voice over best efforts IP for cheap vs. voice over ATM for more vs. voice circuits for most, and f: do so without requiring an extra box. This is really attractive to incumbent customers and will give new customers for the 5ESS - e.g. CLECs, European Telcos, etc. - comfort that LU is taking care of the upgrade path.
3. The solution that is more analogous to Cisco's approach is the PathStar. This box has most of the same capabilities I described above in a stand-alone platform aimed at CLECs and ISPs, or as a souped up DSLAM/DLC. Check it out on lucent's web site. Contacts that have been testing the box say it is awesome - likely to start selling big on day one once it is in general availability.
BTW the 5ESS architecture is extremely modular - this has been a big advantage e.g. different flavors of wireless and wireline easily coexist on the same switch. The 7R/E product will fit in the 5ESS cabinet, but it is not "just existing circuit switch hardware" - IP traffic can stay local without hopping back to the circuit backplane. |
