Bellcore Initiates Voice-Over-Packet Generic Requirements.

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 1999--

Requirements Will Facilitate Integrated Multi-Carrier Network,

New Service Options for Voice Calls

Driven by increased market demand to harness the power of packet-based data networks to integrate voice and data communications in one network, Bellcore today launched an industry-wide initiative to develop generic requirements (GRs) for voice-over-packet architectures.

Bellcore is enlisting the participation of local exchange carriers (LECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs), next-generation carriers, equipment suppliers and other stakeholders to participate in the GR, to help forge a blueprint for a unified approach to the interoperability issues between different networks, services, protocols and equipment.

Establishing voice-over-packet GRs is essential to the evolution of current delivery methods of voice and data communications, enabling network operators to meet all the communications needs of businesses and consumers- including voice calls and high-speed data communications - on one integrated network. Currently, telecommunications companies must bundle services offered on separate circuit and packet networks for their customers, resulting in higher capital and operating costs, Bellcore will open an industry dialog by hosting a Voice-over-Packet Industry Summit on February 25-26, in Orlando, Fla., where it will present highlights from its researation Networks. Using the feedback from the Su predominate in networks of the future, and we believe the optimal network strategy will be to integrate voichas yet to reach its full potential due to diffgether to develop an approach that utilizes commry players could result in long-term interoperaulti-carrier networks that will render separate voice and data networks unnecessary. For carriers and equipmncreased network optimization. For data and voirtaking with major technical, business and regulord with over 1,000 Bellcore GRs in active use bon in the next seven years.

Bellcore's initial report and subsequent GRs will address a variety of technological and operational impediments to full voice-over-packet implementation, including interoperability with existing service provider networks (important for 800/888 services, emergency/911 and operator services), interoperability between network elements and services, quality of service, service reliability, network security and end-to-end signaling, among others.

"As service providers increasingly interconnect with one another in the shrinking global community and work with additional vendors to add new and enhanced services for their customers, it is essential that we establish a well-defined set of requirements to link the world together," said David Misunas, vice president, business development, Core Systems Division, Ascend Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: ASND). "We fully support the development and implementation of open standards to ensure a fair competitive environment and the successful development of the next generation public network."

Service providers, equipment suppliers and other industry parties wishing to join Bellcore's industry initiative or attend the Voice-over-Packet Summit should contact Al Vitenas at Bellcore at [phone], or e-mail [e-mail]

Bellcore, an SAIC company, provides software, engineering, consulting and training services to optimize the performance of communication networks worldwide. Bellcore was created in 1984, employs 6,000 professionals, and has revenues of more than $1 billion. Bellcore (www.bellcore.com) is headquartered in Morristown, N.J., with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Central and South America and Asia Pacific.