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Strategies & Market Trends : The Thread Formerly Known as No Rest For The Wicked -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: kathyh who wrote (33919)	4/28/1999 8:39:00 PM
From: MARK C.	Respond to of 90042

3Com Carrier Systems Senior VP Irfan Ali Outlines Convergence Solutions for Internet Service Providers BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 1999-- During ISPCon Keynote, Ali Discusses Requirements for Network Convergence Development and Deployment In a keynote presentation during today's ISPCon show in Baltimore, 3Com Carrier Systems Senior Vice President and General Manager Irfan Ali outlined the company's vision of network convergence solutions and multi-service access for Internet service providers (ISPs). Specifically, Ali addressed the drivers of network convergence, including cost reduction, the emergence of integrated voice, video and data applications, functionality and standards. He also discussed a variety of converged network architectures and migration paths for specific client markets. Ali's remarks underscored 3Com's belief that network convergence is the next major milestone for the computer and telecommunications industries and key to pervasive networking -- the expanded and strategic role networking will play in how we all work, live and play. Key business drivers of network convergence for ISPs, according to Ali, include the continuing adoption of the Internet by mainstream consumers, an increasingly deregulated market for ISPs, the growing acceptance of IP as the technology platform of choice, and the melding of the public switched telephone network with the Internet. "To achieve the goal of pervasive networking, 3Com believes that networks as we've known them must converge," said Ali. "At a technical level, convergence could be as simple as voice, data and video traffic all going over IP. As networks converge, and as industries merge to support network convergence, 3Com is in a unique position to capitalize on that." Technology Solutions Scale to Support Convergence During his presentation to the annual conference, Ali described how the multi-service access network is changing to support the migration from a data-only network to a converged network. This includes the morphing of carrier-class remote access solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP) and fax capabilities, into a single access platform. He also overviewed the service provider segment of the global VoIP gateway market, pointing out the incredibly rapid growth potential of this market segment. Ali noted that the market is currently dominated by smaller players that focus on the LAN and enterprise markets. But the real opportunity, according to Ali, exists for vendors that cater to carrier or NSP deployment with very scalable, robust and reliable solutions based on either remote access concentrators or the ability to replace existing Class 4 switches with an IP infrastructure. Consumers Benefit From Convergence with New Solutions Ali presented a case study of Telecom Finland, a 3Com customer who is leveraging the company's technology to offer converged network solutions to its customer base. Among the benefits Telecom Finland is enjoying is the ability to enable new applications such as Internet call waiting. But before convergence can truly take off, Ali stated, voice quality must improve since today's Internet is not ideally suited for real-time media. Ali challenged vendors to follow 3Com's lead in developing technology to ensure quality of service. About 3Com With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com -- More connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox. 3Com is a registered trademark and More connected. is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. CONTACT: 3Com Public Relations Steven Plavny, 847/262-1329 Steven_plavny@3com.com or Steven Ostrowski, 847/262-1026 Steven_m_ostrowski@3com.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MARYLAND