First Cable Modem Voice Over IP Software
Interoperability Testing Launched by Telogy
Networks and NetSpeak Initiative to Help Equipment
Manufacturers Expedite Deployment
February 23, 1999
GERMANTOWN, Md. and BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb.
22 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation --
Telogy Networks(R) and NetSpeak(R) Corporation
(Nasdaq: NSPK) today announced the launch of the
industry's first SGCP/MGCP (Simple Gateway
Control Protocol/Media Gateway Control Protocol)
call agent and signaling software testing to facilitate
the development of interoperable Voice over
IP-enabled cable modems. The testing, part of
NetSpeak's new SGCP/MGCP interoperability
testing program, will speed the deployment of
interoperable devices in VoIP- enabled cable
systems. The interoperability testing program was
developed in support of the PacketCable(TM)
initiative sponsored by Cable Television Laboratories,
Inc. (CableLabs(R)) and the cable industry in general.
PacketCable(TM) aims to identify, qualify, and
support real-time packet-based services over cable
systems, with Internet Protocol-based voice and
video products being one category of new services
that could be offered on such an infrastructure.
NetSpeak and Telogy have developed the two
components that comprise the SGCP/MGCP
protocol software which enables Internet phone calls
to be made across cable networks. Telogy developed
the SGCP/MGCP client signaling software for the
residential gateway, and NetSpeak developed the
call agent technology. Telogy's SGCP/MGCP client
signaling software enables telephone calls across IP
networks, in conjunction with call control features of
the call agent. At least eight signaling-related events
are involved in the " simple" act of hearing a dial
tone, dialing a number, and connecting to another
telephone. All these steps require complex
interaction between the client and call agent
software. This interaction (which includes the
translation of telephone numbers to Internet
addresses) is controlled by the SGCP/MGCP
protocol, which ensures the proper transmission of
set-up, maintenance, billing, and tear-down
messages. NetSpeak's call agent is an advanced
call control manager that oversees multiple hardware
devices in delivering enhanced telephony and
multimedia services over IP networks. The call agent
employs a unique architecture whereby principal
intelligence for call control resides in centralized
network servers, an approach which will speed the
deployment of sophisticated telephony services in IP
environments.
Following the conclusion of successful
interoperability testing, the companies will participate
in PacketCable interoperability events to ensure
compliance with the cable industry standards, which
will allow cable networks to deploy equipment from
multiple vendor sources in support of these new
services. Upon commercial release of the software
products, service providers will be able to purchase
call agent software from NetSpeak and cable
modems containing Telogy's signaling software from
a variety of leading cable modem manufacturers.
The PacketCable SGCP/MGCP variant protocol
specification, issued by CableLabs in December,
1998 to all vendors under non-disclosure, lays a
technical foundation that will enable cable operators
to move ahead with their plans to provide competitive
real-time services. PacketCable is a fast-track effort
aimed at developing interoperable interface
specifications for delivering advanced, real-time
multimedia services over two-way cable plants. Built
on top of the industry's highly successful Data Over
Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable
modem infrastructure, PacketCable networks will use
Internet protocol (IP) technology to enable a wide
range of multimedia services, such as home office
PBX extensions, multimedia conferencing, interactive
gaming, and general multimedia applications.
"As we have seen with the recent initiatives by
AT&T/TCI, reliable, standards-based VoIP support is
becoming absolutely critical to CATV-based service
providers," said John Freeman, Principal Analyst,
Networking Strategies, for the industry analysis firm
Current Analysis. "A service bundle that includes
analog CATV, high-speed data, AND voice will be
extremely compelling to consumers, and will
increase the adoption rate of cable modem services
above and beyond what that adoption rate would be if
only CATV and data services are offered. These two
companies, Telogy and NetSpeak, have clearly taken
a leadership position with this joint solution based on
the PacketCable SGCP/MGCP specification."
"Today's announcement between our companies
enables the rapid development and acceptance of
SGCP/MGCP as a protocol ready for deployment in
the cable and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
(CLEC) marketplaces. We believe that our call agent
technology, when deployed with residential
gateways, will allow cable operators and CLECs to
offer competitive IP based telephony services, " said
Jim Kwock, Vice President of Marketing, NetSpeak.
"In response to the widespread industry interest in
VoIP-enabled cable modems, Telogy partnered with
NetSpeak to accelerate development of this
important technology, which enables the placement
of Internet phone calls across cable networks," said
Nancy Goguen, Vice President of Marketing, Telogy
Networks. "We look forward to reporting back to the
industry on the success of our interoperability
testing, and to making this software available to
cable modem manufacturers this spring." Equipment
manufacturers and software developers who are
interested in participating in the NetSpeak
interoperability testing program may visit
netspeak.com or send
e-mail to sgcp_support@netspeak.com.
About NetSpeak Corporation
NetSpeak Corporation (Nasdaq: NSPK), based in
Boca Raton, Florida, develops, markets, licenses
and supports a suite of intelligent software modules
which provide business solutions for concurrent,
real-time interactive voice, video and data
communications over packetized data networks such
as the Internet, Local Area Networks (LANs) and
Wide Area Networks (WANs). NetSpeak's products
allow organizations to build new voice and
video-enabled communications networks, or to add
these communications capabilities to their existing
enterprise. For additional information visit NetSpeak's
World Wide Web site at netspeak.com.
About Telogy Networks
Telogy Networks is the leading provider of embedded
communications software to global equipment
manufacturers. Telogy's Golden Gateway software
enables its customers to develop connected
products that send real-time voice, fax and data over
packet networks (such as Internet/Intranet, Frame
Relay and ATM). As one of the few embedded
software companies with both microprocessor and
DSP expertise, Telogy Networks offers its customers
truly comprehensive product solutions. Telogy's
customers include Cisco Systems, 3Com, Nortel
Networks, TouchWave, ACTI, Vegastream, Entrata,
Soliton Systems KK, Accelerated Networks,
Assured Access Technology, and many other
leading equipment manufacturers. Company news
and product information are available at
telogy.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
NetSpeak Corporation
Marcy Salzman
561-998-8700
msalzman@netspeak.com
Telogy Networks
Lynn Anne Miller Joel Greenberg
Director, Corporate Marketing Press Liaison
Lmiller@telogy.com jgreenberg@rmr.com
301-515-6618 301-217-0009, ext. 15
NetSpeak, NetSpeak Logo, WebPhone and Mini
WebPhone are Trademarks of NetSpeak Corporation.
Other brand and product names may be Registered
Trademarks or Trademarks of their respective
holders.
Forward-looking statements (statements which are
not historical facts) in this release are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are
cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties, including those risks and
uncertainties detailed in the Company's filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Telogy Networks Inc.
/CONTACT: Lynn Anne Miller, Director, Corporate
Marketing, Lmiller@telogy.com, or 301-515-6618, or
Joel Greenberg, Press Liaison, jgreenberg@rmr.com,
or 301-217-0009, ext. 15, both of Telogy Networks; or
Marcy Salzman of NetSpeak, 561-998-8700, or
msalzman@netspeak.com/ /Web site:
telogy.com netspeak.com
netspeak.com (NSPK) |
