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Technology Stocks : Lucent Technologies (LU) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Diamond Jim who wrote (6674)	3/18/1999 9:10:00 AM
From: Diamond Jim	Respond to of 21876

03/18 07:46 Lucent Technologies' Online Communications Center Allows Internet Users to Take Calls and Stay Online HANNOVER, Germany, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced new technology to give consumers and business users unprecedented ease and control for handling telephone calls while connected to the Internet. In an announcement made at the CeBIT World Business Fair here, Lucent said its new Internet call management software suite for service providers, called Online Communications Center (OCC), will enable carriers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer consumers and businesses a broad range of easy-to-use options for answering and forwarding telephone calls received while connected to the Internet. Lucent's Internet Call Waiting service, released last year, enables someone using a phone line connected to the Internet to be notified of incoming calls by a pop-up, on-screen message without disrupting the connection. Online Communications Center adds Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) capabilities, allowing users to remain online while answering phone calls at their computer. OCC also provides intelligent call management features, enabling users to decide how to handle incoming calls before they are received. OCC uses global standards that make the solution applicable for telecommunications networks around the world. Service providers can deploy OCC's powerful package of new Intelligent Network (IN) features and functions either in their Signaling System 7 (SS7) networks, or as stand-alone adjuncts to their switching systems. Once operational, providers can then make Internet Call Waiting and other OCC features available as subscription services to consumers and business users. "We've added powerful new features and functions to the Online Communications Center because providers are seeking new, sophisticated call management services, which help attract and retain customers while enhancing revenue," said Curtis Holmes, Intelligent Network vice president for Lucent's Communications Software Group. "OCC's wide range of capabilities brings advanced call management functions right into the home or business, turning a phone line and a Web browser into a easy to use communications command and control center." Using Online Communications Center's Intelligent Network features provided by his or her local carrier, Internet services provider, or enhanced services provider, a consumer or business user can: -- Answer a call and speak to the caller while maintaining the Internet session on the same line, using voice-over-Internet service provided by the network operator. -- Forward calls to another number. -- Play a pre-recorded message for the caller. -- Set up caller profiles to treat incoming calls according to priorities set by the consumer. -- Automatically forward all calls during priority Internet sessions using a "Do Not Disturb" feature. -- Selectively screen or refuse certain calls, such as those that have blocked Caller ID, via an "auto handle call block" option. -- Sort or export incoming call records. "Lucent is raising the bar by giving service providers around the world the option to implement call management services through their SS7 networks or as add-ons to their network switches," asserted Holmes. "That's a powerful combination that can help any network operator to cost-effectively offer consumers the Internet-related services they expect from their chosen telecommunications provider." General availability of Online Communications Center is scheduled for the second quarter of 1999. Pricing will depend upon configuration. Online Communication Center joins Lucent's wide range of Intelligent Network solutions that allow service providers to offer wireless, wireline and Internet services to consumers and businesses.