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To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (2025)	9/10/1998 9:48:00 AM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Omnia Communications Pioneers New Access Solutions For Carrier-Class Networks with First Next-Generation ADM [Ken, All, what do you think about Omnia's directions (no pun intended) here. Are they going to the right place at this stage of the game? I welcome some comment on this one... Frank C.] September 10, 1998 MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via NewsEdge Corporation -- Company's AXR 500 is the First Next-Generation ADM Access Platform For SONET Ring Networks Using ATM to Mix Voice and Data Traffic Omnia Communications, Inc., a new provider of next generation access solutions for the telecom industry, announced today the AXR 500, the first next-generation Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) for carriers' Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)-based metropolitan area networks. The AXR 500 is the first access platform to allow carriers to simultaneously: mix voice and data traffic efficiently; offer new, advanced value-added services; and reduce their costs of deployment and management. The Omnia AXR 500 is designed to improve the efficiency of SONET rings by using ATM as the underlying transport protocol for voice and data traffic. The AXR 500 also lowers management and deployment costs by integrating the following functionality into a single, scalable, cost-effective, modular, carrier-class platform: --Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) --Access Router --Service Access Multiplexer (SAM) --Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) --Digital Cross Connect (DXC) "The AXR 500 solves one of the biggest challenges facing the carriers today," said Michael A. Champa, president and CEO of Omnia. "The local loop is the last bastion of time division multiplexing technology, i.e. SONET-based fiber optic rings. These networks are not at all suited for packet-switched data traffic. By using ATM virtual paths and virtual circuits for flexible bandwidth provisioning in the local loop, the AXR 500 enables carriers to increase efficiency, lower costs and meet the demands for new data services as well as support existing voice services." Since the 1980s, carriers have used SONET-based fiber optic rings as the network-of-choice for the 'local loop' of the public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Today, however, carriers are struggling with the explosive growth of the Internet and data networks. SONET's TDM hierarchy lacks the flexibility to carry both voice and data traffic in a bandwidth-efficient and economic manner. Attempts to retrofit these networks using devices like ATM service access multiplexers, routers and digital loop carriers have led to very complex networks with high management and deployment costs. "The 'Holy Grail' of inexpensive bandwidth distribution cannot be achieved in the network service provider community by using existing technology," said Frank Dzubeck, Principal Analyst at Communications Network Architects. "New aggressively priced digital/optical infrastructure intermediation products like the Omnia AXR 500 are the first implementation step towards that 'Holy Grail'." AXR 500: Benefits of an Integrated Solution Omnia's AXR 500 brings the benefits of packet and cell technology to the local loop. The AXR 500 system is based on the industry standard Bellcore GR-2837 "ATM Virtual Path Ring Functionality in SONET." This standard defines how ATM cells can be mapped into SONET rings. ATM packet-cell technology enables flexible dynamic resource allocation and asynchronous transfer and delivery of data, overcoming SONET's inefficient TDM hierarchy. By employing ATM over the optic ring, wasted bandwidth is recovered and allocated to new customer services. The OMNIA AXR 500 integrated carrier access platform eliminates SONET's stranded bandwidth by providing flexible ATM provisioning. The AXR 500 allocates bandwidth efficiently to support high-speed voice/data transfer and enable value-added customer services. In order to allow carriers to gradually migrate to Virtual Path Ring technology, the AXR 500 supports optional 2- Channel Passive Wave Division Multiplexing. Using this option, an AXR 500 Virtual Path Ring can non-invasively overlay an existing SONET ring on the same fiber optic cable using a different wavelength. Omnia thus allows carriers to upgrade their bandwidth access while protecting their legacy investments. Pricing and Availability The AXR 500 will be generally available in the first quarter of 1999. The AXR 500 is priced starting at $29,000, depending on configuration. Omnia Communications, Inc. mission is to pioneer next- generation access solutions for optical networks. Based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Omnia was founded in 1997 with a vision to advance the state-of-the-art in metropolitan area networking to address the convergence of voice and data on today's carrier networks. Omnia's first product, the AXR 500 Multiplexer, is a highly-integrated access platform that enables carriers to simultaneously: mix voice and data traffic on their fiber optic networks efficiently, offer advanced value added services, and reduce their costs of deployment and management. A privately held company, Omnia Communications is financed through private investment and venture capital. First round investors included Charles River Ventures, Bessemer Ventures and Star Ventures. Omnia can be reached at (508) 229-8444, via fax at (508) 229-7766 or on the Web at omnia.com. Omnia and AXR 500 are trademarks of Omnia Communications, Inc.. All other trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Parker, Nichols & Company, Inc. \| Brenda Nichols, 978/369-2100 \| bnichols@parker-nichols.com [Copyright 1998, Business Wire]