Mike - I know you live in Central Florida. I thought you might know something about Florida Digital Network, a CLEC based
in Orlando. They are installing the Nortel Networks Universal Edge 9000 platform which is "a high-speed access platform that
combines data, voice, video and IP services for mission-critical PSTN and IP networks." What really got my attention was the
announcement that this platform will, by mid-summer of 1999, allow the integration of Elastic Networks Ether Loop technology
which allows "Ethernet over twisted pair and enables simultaneous voice and data communications up to native rate Ethernet
speeds over a single phone line without interfering with other services." In my office, I currently have two lines from GTE. I
use one line for incoming and outgoing voice messages. I use the other line for internet access, e-mail, fax and outgoing calls.
However, I can't automatically transfer voices messages from the voice line over to the other line because it is usually busy.
Instead, when the voice line is busy, the message is handled by voice mail. Nortel is apparently working on a technology
which will allow incoming calls to roll over to the other line and allow me to answer without going offline. I could also make
calls without logging off the internet. I don't know what the cost will be but this sure sounds like a dynamite product. Do you,
Frank or Denver Techie know if other telecom vendors are working on similar equipment to allow simultaneous voice and data
communications over twisted pair at Ethernet speed.
Ken
Nortel Networks Selected by Florida Digital Network to
Establish Statewide Switching and Access Network
PR Newswire - December 02, 1998 15:30
ORLANDO, Fla, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ - Florida Digital Network (FDN), a rapidly growing
competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) based in Orlando, Florida, has selected Nortel Networks'
(NYSE: NY/TSE: NTL) DMS-500 switching, optical networking, and AccessNode access mediation
systems to serve as the foundation for the company's inaugural service throughout Florida beginning
next year.
Under terms of the 3-year supply agreement valued initially at US$7 million (with potential to reach
US$30 million), FDN will deploy Nortel Networks' DMS-500 multi-service switches, S/DMS
TransportNode optical networking systems, AccessNode digital loop carriers, and the Universal Edge
9000 integrated access platform to deliver bundled local, long-distance, and Internet services in major
cities throughout Florida. Initial cutovers are scheduled for Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale
in the first quarter of 1999, with further expansion planned for Miami, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.
''The first wave of competitive local providers swept through Florida and selected large corporations
as the beneficiaries of their services,'' said Mike Gallagher, president, Florida Digital Network. ''With
this agreement, FDN will provide world-class, competitive local, long-distance, and Internet service to
the rest of the businesses that are truly the backbone of the local economy. Florida's business
community will now be able to receive communications services at prices that were formerly only
available to the big, national companies.''
Nortel Networks' DMS-500 switching systems position FDN to offer a full portfolio of high-demand
network services customized for small to medium-sized business customers, including Enhanced
Centrex, Custom Local Access Signaling Services (CLASS), Residential Enhanced Services (RES),
Local Number Portability (LNP), and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Key features
provided by the Nortel Networks' infrastructure helping to differentiate FDN in the marketplace
include customer choice of local number provider, faster customer service response, and enhanced
Internet services. In addition, Nortel Networks' network solutions will provide FDN the flexibility and
capacity to facilitate planned future regional expansion into the southeastern United States.
''With this significant initial agreement, Nortel Networks is delivering a robust network tailored to meet
FDN's current and future expansion needs,'' said Ian Craig, president, Carrier Networks, Nortel
Networks. ''Complementing our communications platforms, our ongoing customer support and
network evolution consulting will help produce the operating efficiencies that will position FDN for
long-term competitive advantage.''
Nortel Networks' DMS-500 switching system provides carriers the ability to offer combined local and
long-distance telecommunications services to their customers through a single, cost-effective switching
platform. The DMS-500 switching system offers a full range of features and services, including Virtual
Private Networking and the ability to support Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)-based services,
while providing a platform for evolving to next generation Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
Nortel Networks' optical portfolio offers a reliable and flexible solution by allowing transport of data,
voice, and video in FDN's network. As utilized in FDN's network, Nortel Networks' S/DMS
TransportNode OC-12 offers a superior platform for high-density DS-1 aggregation at the collocation
offices and efficient transport to switching facilities. The OC-12 BLSR (Bi-directional Line Switched
Ring) architecture is optimized for meshed traffic patterns found in most Interoffice Facility (IOF)
applications. Initially, FDN will utilize Nortel Networks' OC-12 optical solution, migrating to Nortel
Networks' industry-leading OC-48 system as demand grows.
The Universal Edge 9000 is Nortel Networks' new multi-service, high-speed access platform that
combines data, voice, video and IP services for mission-critical PSTN and IP networks. Compatible
with existing dialtone networks and transport infrastructures, the multi-fabric, high-density Universal
Edge 9000 will seamlessly transition FDN's DMS-500/AccessNode-based networks to the universal
data network of the 21st century when it becomes generally available in mid 1999.
Florida Digital Network, a privately held provider of state-of-the-art network connectivity, plans to
offer bundled local, long-distance, and Internet services to small to medium-sized businesses
throughout Florida beginning in first quarter 1999. As one of Florida's newest CLECs, FDN is poised
to provide leading edge services, such as xDSL and IP Voice using fiber optic technology, in tandem
with superior customer service at a significant competitive price advantage.
SOURCE Northern Telecom Limited
Nortel Networks to Integrate Elastic Networks' EtherLoop
Technology onto Universal Edge 9000 Integrated Access
Platform
PR Newswire - December 02, 1998 10:16
ATLANTA, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ - Nortel Networks (NYSE: NT/TSE: NTL) and Elastic Networks
today announced the integration of Elastic Networks' EtherLoop technology, which delivers
high-speed data and voice on a single phone line, onto Nortel Networks' Universal Edge 9000
integrated access platform. The arrangement marks the first step towards offering EtherLoop
multi-megabit Internet access on a carrier-grade voice and data platform.
''We are very pleased that Nortel Networks has elected to deploy our technology on such a
world-class platform,'' said Phil Griffith, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Elastic Networks. ''This
deployment is the realization of Elastic Networks' goal to enable equipment manufacturers to easily
license and integrate our technology into high-speed access network elements.''
The Universal Edge 9000 is Nortel Networks' integrated access platform and gives service providers
the ability to deploy multiple access technologies from a single, cost-effective platform. It is planned for
alpha trials in the fourth quarter of 1998 and general availability in the second half of 1999.
EtherLoop, which forms the basis of Elastic Networks' core technology, is Ethernet over twisted pair
and enables simultaneous voice and data communications up to native rate Ethernet speeds over a
single phone line without interfering with other services. Announced in September, Texas Instruments
will integrate EtherLoop access technology onto its world-leading digital signal processing core
technology, enabling network equipment manufacturers to develop flexible internal and external
client-side devices and central office solutions to meet the ever-growing demand for connectivity.
Elastic Networks provides solutions that stretch Ethernet out of the office LAN, following the trend
towards increasingly distributed networks. By leveraging its technological differentiation in speed,
deployability, and economics, and building strategic relationships with distribution, chip manufacturing,
and data networking partners, Elastic Networks is dedicated to offering solutions that address the
high-speed data needs of service providers throughout the world.
Elastic Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nortel Networks, is based in Alpharetta, Ga. For
more information about Elastic Networks and its EtherLoop technology visit www.elastic.com or
contact (678) 297-3100.
SOURCE Northern Telecom Limited
/CONTACT: Jeff Young, Nortel Networks, 978-916-4986,
jeffyng(at)nortelnetworks.com; Frank McNally, Nortel Networks, 703-712-8374,
fmcnally(at)nortelnetworks.com; Allison Roberts, Alexander Ogilvy,
404-897-2300, aroberts(at)alexanderogilvy.com; Or visit Nortel Networks'
web-site at www.nortelnetworks.com or Elastic Networks' web-site at
www.elastic.com; Nortel's press releases are also available through CNO-Call
by fax at 800-758-5804, ext. 122158 or at prnewswire.com
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