Ericsson presents ENGINE

Ericsson presents ENGINE - offering operators an efficient migration path to a multi-service, IP-based wireline network With its ENGINE family of products, Ericsson has created a powerful, data- enabled, multi-service network offering for existing operators. The ENGINE concept efficiently migrates operators' current circuit-switched networks into a single next generation wireline network, based on ATM and IP packet switching technologies. Today in Paris, Ericsson is making a special presentation, including live demonstrations of its innovative ENGINE network, especially designed for operators to offer Voice over ATM. The ENGINE network combines Ericsson's versatile AXE switching system and highly scalable AXD 301 ATM switch with media gateways and management applications to meet a variety of service and business requirements for today's operators. Ericsson was the world's first vendor to receive a substantial order for a next generation network circuit-to-packet migration solution for BT's national network, in January 1999. Additional orders from KPN International Network Services and Telia Denmark have further endorsed this migration solution. Ericsson's ENGINE solution enables operators to migrate to a multi-service network to remain competitive in terms of costs, new service creation and innovation in an increasingly IP-centric world. Ericsson has quickly taken the migration to next generation networks concept from vision to reality. In May, at a Multi-Service Switching Forum (MSF) conference, and later at the trade show CommunicAsia '99 in Singapore, Ericsson was the first vendor in the industry to show, in a public live demonstration, its ability to succeed in developing a next generation wireline network. Further, Ericsson has already scored a number of breakthrough multi-service network contract wins - all in strong competition with major datacom and telecom vendors. By using ENGINE, one of the world's first single, converged multi-service networks handling data, voice and Internet applications - one operator has stated a 40 to 50 percent lower overall operational cost - compared to operating several separate single-service networks. Such cost savings are especially attractive for operators in today's competitive environment. The investment in vendor equipment for an operator is actually less than 10 percent of costs. For an average wireline or wireless network operator in the Western world, main costs are clearly in the areas of running their networks and businesses - areas which average more than 50 percent of total costs. For operators, Ericsson's ENGINE can provide considerable cost reductions. Fully implemented, ENGINE can enable cost savings of up to 50 percent in capital and operational expenses. For example, an operator's costs for operation and maintenance could be reduced by up to 70 percent, and the number of network nodes handling voice services could be reduced by 80 percent. "ENGINE is all about how operators can profitably build on their investments to create networks that fully support voice as well as the Internet and a range of other exciting new multimedia applications, all with the Quality of Service standards we've come to expect from the telecom industry," says Einar Lindquist, Head of Ericsson Wireline Systems. "Operators tell us that Ericsson has the most open and flexible solution on the market. Together with our strength in mobile networks, ENGINE positions Ericsson as the world leading supplier of robust carrier-class multi-service networks and solutions migrating voice and datacom services," Lindquist continues. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Antoinette Torell, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 519 3699; E-mail: antoinette.torell@lme.ericsson.se Mitch Lewis, General Manager and Director of Marketing Ericsson Wireline Systems Phone: +46 70 519 0130; E-mail: mitch.lewis@etx.ericsson.se ENGINE building blocks The ENGINE network concept currently consists of these building blocks: Telephony Server, controls all legacy PSTN and ISDN services over an ATM backbone network. It handles telephony call control and communications applications (all PSTN/ISDN and IN services) - as well as transferring the reliability and security known from telecom networks to the packet switched network. The Telephony Server includes powerful AXE processors, proven network signaling capabilities and leading-edge software. Media Gateway, located at the edge of the core network, provides a powerful interface between access systems and different user devices. The Media Gateway acts as a portal in the ENGINE network solutions, converting traffic from legacy access networks to an ATM/IP based core network. The Media Gateway is based on Ericsson's proven, scaleable AXD 301 ATM switch, or other Ericsson equipment, like Cello or Tigris. Core Switch, the scalable ATM switch AXD 301 is a powerful switch with routing capabilities, optimized for both ATM and IP-over-ATM services in the core of the network. The AXD 301 is a fully modular system, expanding from 10 Gbps to 160 Gbps, with a design enabling upgrades to 2,500 Gbps. Since all core switching services are based on open industry standards, other vendors' ATM systems can also be efficiently used at the core of the network, utilizing such standards as Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). Management System, a complete suite of management applications handling complex multi-service network management. The Management System consists of element managers and a new mediation system, which models the networks, correlates alarms and provides all the needed interfaces and protocols to the operators' legacy Operational Support Systems and Business Support Systems. More on ENGINE The Ericsson vision for wireline networks is a robust, multi-service network infrastructure based on packet switching technologies, fully designed for providing the best real-time services. With ENGINE, Ericsson fully supports operators by offering a smooth migration to integrate single-service PSTN/ISDN networks and other packet-based networks into a multi-service ATM and IP-based network. The ENGINE family of products for efficient service convergence of separate single-service wireline networks ensures smooth migration paths - that leverage current investments in AXE and other switching systems, supporting operators to remain competitive and generating revenues. The ENGINE network is capable of carrying large and growing volumes of bit traffic as well as meeting increasing network interconnection requirements of de-regulated and competitive environments. The technologies used in this architecture, and the architecture itself, is fully optimized for operators to gain the lowest possible operational costs, combined with the greatest possible revenue opportunities and flexibility. To read more about Ericsson's innovative ENGINE family of products, please visit http://www.ericsson.se/ngn ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/11/16/19991116BIT00590/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/11/16/19991116BIT00590/bit0002.pdf