Ericsson's IP telephony platform now more flexible, adaptive

Ericsson's IP telephony platform now more flexible, adaptive - New IPT II will provide for network interoperability, total user mobility and an open environment to develop new IP services Ericsson today unveiled IPT II, a voice-over-IP (VoIP) software solution that will allow next-generation operators as well as enterprises to creatively deliver feature-rich IP telephony services to their users. These customers will be able to access the IP network and its services from any location or device - wireless, fixed, or personal computer. IPT II adheres to Ericsson's architecture for next generation networks, which decouples services and applications from the core transport technologies; therefore, it is not limited to running specific applications. This new version of Ericsson's widely deployed IP telephony platform also provides an open software platform that interoperates with many different types of networks, making it easily deployable for operators with a variety of existing architectures and systems, as well as those using different signaling standards, including H.323. Immediately available is IPT 2.0, a software release for Internet telephony service providers interested in offering VoIP managed services to enterprise customers. The software is compatible with numerous enterprise-based systems, including Ericsson's Webswitch 2000 product line. IPT 2.1, scheduled for availability early in 4Q00, will allow operators to run applications like Ericsson's iPulse and Unified Messaging, as well as customize features and introduce third-party products to the network as it grows. "Since many network operators have customers running a variety of different networks, they need a one-size-fits-all IP telephony package," says Maria Khorsand, director of Ericsson's IPT product unit. "The value is simple - IPT II lets operators market packetized voice to more customers and create and customize their own feature sets and network applications. This gives them the ability to compete in today's fast- moving market." Unique to IPT II is its "service creation environment." Unlike other IP telephony products that specify what switch-like features are ultimately available to the end-user, IPT II is based on standard programming languages, giving operators more control of what they can offer. "When we talk about mobility, we aren't just talking about wireless phones," added Khorsand. "This platform is powerful because the network is no longer just an extension on your desk, but rather is extended to wherever you might be. That's the beauty of software switching - having services live throughout the network, not inside a hardware switch." Other new features in the release include improved interfacing with Intelligent Networks, providing a more seamless interconnection with the public switched telephony network; a new border element for enhanced peering between networks; and increased Media Gateway capacity. IPT II also features a Programmable Interactive Voice Response (P-IVR) element, which provides operators a platform for creating new types of IVR services, such as Web-based calling card recharging, or personalized IVR messages. This service creation environment uses a web server for programming and control, making it faster and easier for operators to implement new services. Ericsson's IPT software is one of the most widely deployed IP telephony solutions in the market, with more than 40 million minutes per month and points of presence in operation in more than 70 countries. Customers using this robust, carrier-class platform include Interoute, Delta Three and Cescom. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Paula Angel-Jones, Director Public Relations, Ericsson Datacom Inc. Phone: +1 781 505 6245; E-mail: paula.angel-jones@ericsson.com Kathy Egan, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Corporate Communications Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ercisson.com HYPERLINKHYPERLINK ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/07/20000607BIT00990/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/07/20000607BIT00990/bit0002.pdf