AT&T's newest Key PBX System expands ISDN Connectivity.BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 1995--Ushering in a new era of multimedia communications for small and mid-sized businesess, AT&T today unveiled the latest release of its MERLIN LEGEND(R) Communications System In telecommunication, a communications system is a collection of individual communications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributary stations, and data terminal equipment (DTE) usually capable of interconnection and interoperation to form an integrated whole. . The new MERLIN LEGEND, Release 4, provides an industry "first" for mid-sized systems -- full ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. connectivity. This gives customers easy, economical access to communications solutions such as telecommuting telecommuting, an arrangement by which people work at home using a computer and telephone, transmitting work material to a business office by means of a modem and telephone lines; it is also known as telework. , the Internet, group and desktop videoconferencing Using a PC or Mac for a videophone session or videoconference. Contrast with a "room videoconferencing system" where a group of participants congregate in one room. See videoconferencing. , and high-capacity data services. The new release also expands the overall capacity of the system and offers many new customer-requested features and functionality. "The MERLIN LEGEND has consistently been at the forefront in bringing innovative solutions to the marketplace for small and mid-sized businesses," said B.I. Bridgwater, general manager of the Small Business Group of AT&T Global Business Communications Systems. "Today, we are announcing yet another first for the industry -- a series of multimedia capabilities not currently available through other hybrid Key/PBX platforms. Multimedia is the future, and AT&T is making it available to customers today." The switch's new software provides 64 kilobit per second “KBPS” redirects here. For the AM radio station in Portland, Oregon, see KBPS (radio station). A kilobit per second (kbit/s or kb/s or kbps) is a unit of data transfer rate equal to 1,000 bits per second. digital connectivity to the network via an ISDN basic rate interface (BRI See ISDN. BRI - Basic Rate Interface ). Previous releases of the switch provided an ISDN primary rate interface (PRI PRI: see Institutional Revolutionary party. (Primary Rate Interface) An ISDN service that provides 23 64 Kbps B (Bearer) channels and one 64 Kbps D (Data) channel (23B+D), which is equivalent to the 24 channels of a T1 line. ) only. BRI provides two 64 Kbps channels between a customer's switch and the local central-office switch, allowing for direct access to high-speed multimedia services. The new MERLIN LEGEND release uses BRI connectivity to support AT&T Vistium(tm) Personal Video Systems, PictureTel Group Video(r) Systems and other industry-standard video equipment. The new release also allows customers to access publicly switched T1 facilities for digital data transmissions of up to 56 kilobits per second (unit) kilobits per second - (kbps, kb/s) A unit of data rate where 1 kb/s = 1000 bits per second. This contrasts with units of storage where 1 Kb = 1024 bits (note upper case K). per T1 channel. Other new features and functions of the system include an increase in overall switch capacity from 144 stations to 200, as well as several new customer-requested features like enhanced toll-fraud protection and new call screening, queuing and forwarding capabilities. "This newest version of our flagship switch for the small to mid-sized market continues to set the pace for performance, value and reliability," said Bridgwater. "The MERLIN LEGEND combines much of the functionality of larger switches with configurations that suit small and mid-sized companies -- the best of both worlds." The new switch will be demonstrated at the TeleCommunications Association trade show in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. this month. "As part of the introduction we will also soon announce a highly attractive upgrade program," said Bridgwater. "Customers can be sure that this offer will provide exceptional investment protection." Customers interested in finding out more about the new MERLIN LEGEND can contact their account executive or call 1 800 247-1212. CONTACT: AT&T Pam Fields 908/953-7518 - office 201/378-8231 - home or Tim Patterson 908/953-7516 - office 908/234-2553 - home |
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