EGHT - news after the bell Fri (guessing someone posted already?):
Friday January 21, 4:31 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: SALIX Technologies, Inc.
Industry's First Live, Wide Area, Multi-Protocol IP Telephony Network Services Delivered at ComNet 2000
8x8, Pingtel, SALIX Technologies and telecom technologies Demonstrate Carrier-Class Telephony Services Using Next Generation Technologies
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The telecommunications industry's first live demonstration of next generation telephony services delivered over a multi-vendor, multi-protocol wide area network will be shown at ComNet 2000 (January 25-27, 2000, Washington, DC, Convention Center). Attendees visiting the SALIX booth (#1638) will be the first ever to place actual telephone calls using equipment based on multiple emerging standards including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol) as well as the existing SS7 (Signaling System 7) standard. This demonstration is the first time that devices based on these diverse legacy and next generation technologies have successfully interoperated in a public, live environment.
The demonstration will connect IP and SIP telephones to a next generation telephony switch connected to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), over an IP access network. 8x8 Symphony Media Hubs are used to connect traditional telephones to the SIP-controlled packet telephony network. SIP is used as the access protocol, creating a ``SIP local loop' connecting the Pingtel IP telephones to the telecom technologies, inc. IntelligentIP(TM) Softswitch. MGCP is used to control the signaling between the softswitch and the SALIX ETX5000(TM) class independent enhanced telephony switch. The ETX5000, which provides seamless interconnection between the PSTN and packet networks, then connects to the global PSTN. The INtelligentIP Softswitch provides the SIP/MGCP conversion to the SS7 interconnection, and all of the call control functions for the packet telephony network. All of the components in the test network conform to industry standard protocols for packet telephony, including MGCP and SIP.
``These vendors are leading the industry with their demonstration that multi-vendor, multi-protocol networks can be deployed today,' said Deb Mielke, principal, Treillage Networks. ``Service providers must be able to choose the hardware and software that best suits their unique competitive environments and be assured that it will all work together seamlessly. The vendors participating in this demonstration, with their commitment to interoperability, have proven that such solutions are available.'
``This is an excellent real-world demonstration of the type of packet telephony network that can be assembled today,' said Frederic Artru, general manager of 8x8's network software division. ``These networks will allow carriers to enter new markets cost effectively and offer profitable advanced services to businesses and consumers.'
``The commitment to standards and interoperability shown by the vendors in this live demonstration shows that best-of-breed, class independent networks connecting the global PSTN to packet networks are possible today,' noted Lew Bobbitt, vice president of marketing at SALIX Technologies. ``By adhering to standards, vendors give service providers the flexibility they need to design networks that deliver the services demanded by their specific markets.'
``Pieces of technology don't make a solution that truly addresses carriers' needs,' noted Anousheh Ansari, chairman and chief executive officer of telecom technologies. ``The market will be led by integrated solutions between the best vendors with the best technologies. Integrated multi-service solutions are precisely what this multi-protocol test network shows are possible.'
``Like innovation on the Internet, innovation in voice services will only result from interoperable, multi-vendor solutions,' stated Jay Batson, CEO of Pingtel. ``This packet telephony interoperability demonstration is the foundation for enabling carriers to become providers of new, innovative and valuable voice services and applications.'
About 8x8
8x8, Inc., (Nasdaq: EGHT - news), is a leading manufacturer of digital telecommunication products, including both central office and customer premise equipment for IP telephony. By leveraging its vertically integrated technology, the Company provides complete IP telephony solutions to service providers such as ISPs, ILECs and CLECs. For more information, visit 8x8's web site at 8x8.com.
About Pingtel
Pingtel is fostering a voice services and applications renaissance with the world's first intelligent voice-over-IP telephone for service providers and enterprises. As the delivery platform for next-generation IP PBX systems and virtual IP PBX services, it not only makes today's voice features much easier to use, but enables a whole new collection of valuable, personalized voice services and applications. A venture-backed start-up, Pingtel is located near Boston, in Woburn, MA, and can also be found at www.pingtel.com.
About SALIX
SALIX Technologies, Inc., is a premier provider of class independent telephony switches that will enable service providers to offer next-generation voice, fax and data services over a converged network infrastructure. Since the launch of its flagship product, the ETX5000, in December 1998, the company has won numerous awards and recognition, including the ComNet New Product Achievement Award, Top 500 Telecommunications Firms by Telecom Business magazine, Telecommunications Magazine Hot Start-Ups, Internet Telephony Product of the Year, DigitalSouth Fast 50 and Washingtonian Magazine's Hot Companies. SALIX maintains its Web site at www.salix.com.
About telecom technologies
telecom technologies, inc., is a leading supplier of softswitch technologies for network and service providers offering end-to-end solutions for next generation, carrier-grade multi-service networks. In addition, telecom technologies is the originator of the INIP Powered(SM) Partner Program, designed to speed fully integrated, end-to-end multi-service technology solutions to market. telecom technologies' products and services are designed to enhance system performance, lower operating costs and provide new revenue opportunities for CLECs, ILECs, IXCs and ISPs. Headquartered in the Telecom Corridor© in Richardson, Texas, telecom technologies has offices worldwide and is accessible via the Internet at www.telecomtechnologies.com or by phone at 972-301-4900 or 1-888-FONE-TTI.
SALIX is a federally registered trademark, and ETX5000 is a trademark of SALIX Technologies, Inc. The telecom technologies logo is a service mark of telecom technologies, inc. INtelligentIP is a trademark of telecom technologies, inc. Telecom Corridor is a registered trademark of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. All other service marks, trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective companies. |
