Convergent Enhances Its Broadband Voice Switch

October 20, 2000 -- Convergent Networks announced the general availability of several new optical interfaces for its carrier-class ICS2000 broadband switch. By adding high bandwidth OC-12 and enhanced OC-3 interfaces to the ICS2000, Convergent Networks says that it simplifies network requirements for carriers handling voice traffic on optical networks. Specifically, the ICS2000 should now transport voice calls from the traditional telephone network to advanced packet networks entirely over optical interfaces.

The addition of the new optical interfaces may provide carriers with greater flexibility in configuring Convergent Networks' products in their network, enabling them to support multiple network applications from a single platform. For example, the ICS2000 may be deployed as a cost-effective alternative to today's Class 4/5 circuit switches for provisioning dial-up Internet access. For this application, the OC-12 interfaces may enable carriers to create a fully redundant virtual switch configuration, scaling to as many as 320,000 DS-0s, or subscriber ports. In this configuration, the switch's advanced "super hunt group" capabilities roll incoming calls past busy ports until a connection is made, which may greatly improve customer satisfaction by eliminating blocked calls.

The enhanced OC-3 interfaces, which feature support for both VT1.5 as well as M13 mapping protocols, should enable carriers to seamlessly transport voice calls to a SONET ring. According to the company, the new OC-3 interfaces can be configured in a 1:6 redundancy scheme, increasing the number of subscribers a carrier can support and the number of simultaneous calls a carrier can process, accelerating the carrier's return on investment.

"Competitive local exchange carriers today are at a crossroads," said Sally Bament, Vice President, Marketing for Convergent Networks. "To be successful, they must differentiate themselves from incumbents, and from other emerging service providers. Convergent Networks' next-generation switching equipment is essential to meeting this goal. Our Cohesion product family enables carriers to deliver differentiated services whether they are a retail provider in need of an integrated platform for packet-based voice service, or a wholesale provider servicing a variety of retail carriers with a highly scalable network backbone."

The new features are available immediately and may be added to the ICS2000 with a simple card and software upgrade. Pricing depends on configuration.