Polycom's NetEngine 6200c and 7200c integrated access devices offer up to 16 POTS lines and up to 8 PVCs over a single channelized T-1 line for up to $1,759, making them viable for small office customer deployments.

by Wayne Kawamoto [March 11, 2002]

Polycom, Inc. announced the availability of its NetEngine 6200c and 7200c series Integrated Access Devices (IADs), which are designed to help service providers offer voice and data service over a single channelized T-1 line to small and medium-sized business customers.

According to the company, its NetEngine 6200c and 7200c series IADs offer up to 16 Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines and up to 8 Permant Virtual Circuits (PVCs) [definition] as well as a full range of integrated features. And by converging access on the same channelized T-1 line, the IADs may maximize existing network infrastructure and require less wiring and customer premise equipment (CPE). This may be important when customers grow their businesses and ask for additional access.

The company says that its devices are designed to save service providers considerable money that can be passed along to customers in the form of reduced monthly access charges. In addition, since the channelized T-1 service does not depend on the customer's distance from the central office, the devices may help service providers expand their service areas.

Polycom's NetEngine 6200c and 7200c IADs offer 4, 8, and 16 POTS ports, a channelized T-1 WAN interface and a 10/100 Ethernet LAN interface. The NetEngine 7200c supports a V.35/RS530 interface for customers who are looking to connect to routers via the Universal Serial Interface. In addition, the IADs feature Frame Relay and ATM support, complete routing and bridging, and an integrated Firewall as well as NAT, PAT, and CHAP [definition] support. All of the devices offer remote management and provisioning and are stackable as well as wall-mountable.

"Polycom's goal is to help service providers deliver the highest quality, most cost-effective voice and data services through the use of our IADs," said Hans Schwarz, senior vice president and general manager of network access products for Polycom. "Our new NetEngine 6200c and 7200c meet that goal by offering voice and data services over TDM today, as well as through their full support of ATM and Frame Relay for service providers that are ready to start deploying packet-based services over T-1."

"It's very exciting to see Polycom, the leader in the Voice over DSL IAD market, enter the channelized T-1 space," said Teresa Mastrangelo, senior analyst of research firm RHK. "Declining T-1 prices have now made it possible for service providers to offer integrated multi-line voice and data services to the small to medium-sized business segment. The introduction of Polycom's NetEngine 6200c and 7200c series IADs further enhances their existing IAD product line and addressable market. Polycom is now able to offer a complete line of IAD solutions to meet the varying deployment needs of both the service provider and their customers.

Pricing and availability
The NetEngine 6200c and 7200c series IADs are available now and can be ordered directly from Polycom or through the company's network of partners. The list prices for the NetEngine 6200c and 7200c series IADs range from $819 to $1,759.

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