Integral Access and Unisphere Networks Partner to Deliver IP Infrastructure for Multi-Service Carrier Networks

Leading Providers of Voice/Broadband Systems Introduce End-to-End MPLS Infrastructure at Next Generation Networks 2001

BOSTON -- Nov. 5, 2001 -- Integral Access®, Inc., the intelligent MPLS access network company, and Unisphere Networks, a leading provider of IP infrastructure products to enable broadband data and voice services, today announced at Next Generation Networks 2001 a strategic joint marketing agreement to deliver integrated solutions that allow carriers to migrate to and deploy end-to-end IP-based multi-service networks. The seamless integration of the Integral Access PurePacket™ access network system, and the Unisphere Networks Intelligent Service POP™ (Point of Presence), will support network operators' efforts to quickly create, provision, and deliver converged IP-based voice and broadband services over new SoftSwitch-based networks, as well as traditional circuit switched infrastructures. Integral Access and Unisphere Networks will present PurePacket - Intelligent Service POP solutions at Next Generation Networks 2001 Booths 522 and 241.

Extending Network Intelligence to the Customer Premises

The combination of PurePacket and the Intelligent Service POP uses the Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) standard to assure service quality levels for voice and data traffic from the customer premise and across core networks, to their ultimate destination. By distributing network intelligence, such as QoS (Quality of Service), to the customer premises, this joint solution enables the reliable delivery of real time IP services including voice and video, as well as differentiated data services with separate class of services and service level agreements.

Next Generation Voice Services

With support for MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol), PurePacket and the Intelligent Service POP improves carriers' ability to build a single end-to-end IP-based integrated access network without investing in expensive Class 5 circuit switches. PurePacket's ability to interoperate with the Unisphere SMX-2100 Media Gateway and SRX-3000 SoftSwitch, enables network operators to deliver IP-based voice services, PBX interworking, VoIP services, and IP Centrex, and to provision and offer all traditional Custom Local Area Signaling System (CLASS) features, such as call forwarding, call waiting, etc. This joint solution also integrates with Class 5 switches via the GR-303 interface, for service providers who want to cap existing investments in circuit switching, and migrate more quickly or gradually to an IP voice network.

"Integral Access' approach using MPLS as the mechanism to assure QoS resonates very well with our powerful MPLS implementation in the ERX. Jointly we can provide toll quality to the desktop which is particularly important for VoIP," said Georg Haubs, Vice President Business Development for Unisphere Networks.

"The combination of PurePacket and the Unisphere Intelligent POP provides an IP infrastructure that supports end-to-end quality of service management for more reliable delivery of voice and video traffic, subscriber management, and the creation of value added IP data services," said Guy Chenard, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Integral Access. "Our partnership with Unisphere Networks enables service providers to deploy and take advantage of the operational and service creation efficiencies of multi-service IP-based networks today, while allowing carriers with legacy voice infrastructures to move to a packet network at their own pace."

About PurePacket

The PurePacket integrated access network solution enables carriers to deliver all services over a single network using virtually any transport media including copper pairs, xDSL, leased lines, and fiber links. It is the first and only 100 percent packet-based solution that uses an MPLS-based fabric to place network intelligence at the customer premise, and make connectionless networks behave like their connection-oriented predecessors. PurePacket enables service providers to guarantee QoS for latency sensitive voice calls and video transmissions, dynamically allocate bandwidth between voice, video and data applications, and offer/bill for multiple classes of service. PurePacket is composed of PurePacketOUTburst® customer premise IADs, PurePacketNode® carrier network aggregation devices for central offices, co-locations, points of presence, PurePacketCompact™ for Multi-Tenant Units (MTU), and the PurePacketOMS™ for network/element control and services management.

About the Intelligent Service PoP

Intelligent Service POP (Point of Presence) is a suite of best in class products designed to de-couple services from the underlying network infrastructure and allow service providers to cost-effectively create and provision new revenue-generating voice and data services. The products include next-generation voice switching, rich media routers, revenue-generating services and applications, and operational efficiency tools in the areas of web-based provisioning, policy-based management, and back office integration. Designed around standards and compatible with multi-vendor deployments and legacy installations, the products in the Intelligent Service POP allow providers to cap their investment in legacy infrastructure and begin developing a next-generation network according to the migration needs and unique installed base of the provider.

The Intelligent Service POP consists of new and enhanced Unisphere products and services, including: the addition of Voice over IP (VoIP) capability to its SMX-2100 media gateway and SRX-3000 SoftSwitch; major QoS enhancements to the ERX edge router; and, web based telephony portal that enables integrated communications providers (ICPs) to rapidly and economically design and deploy web-enabled enhanced telephony services for their customers.

About Integral Access

Integral Access, Inc. provides multi-service packet-based access network systems that enable carriers to offer differentiated services and combine voice/data on new generation IP-based networks, as well as traditional circuit switched infrastructures. The company offers a complete access network solution, which includes customer premise equipment, central office aggregation devices, and an operations management system for network control and services management. Integral Access is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, and is privately held. To contact Integral Access call +1-978-256-8833, visit us on the Web at http://www.integralaccess.com, or write to info@integralaccess.com.

Note to editors:

PurePacket, PurePacketCompact, and PurePacketOMS are trademarks of Integral Access, Inc. OUTburst, PurePacketNode, PurePacketPower, Integral Access, and the Integral Access logo are registered trademarks of Integral Access, Inc.