New Telecommunications Protocols Published
02:25 p.m Aug 05, 1998 Eastern
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.
Copyright 1998, PR Newswire
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