Brix Networks Unveils Prequalification Offering for VoIP Networks.

CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- New Brix VoIP PreQual Application Lets Service Providers Test If A Prospect's Broadband Connection Can Support VoIP

Brix Networks (www.brixnet.com), the trusted provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) performance management solutions, today announced the Brix VoIP PreQual Application, a new prequalification offering for VoIP networks that lets service providers test the ability of a prospect's residential broadband connection to support high-quality calls.

For providers offering both broadband access and residential VoIP, Brix VoIP PreQual enables them to market the high quality of their combined service while giving prospects a way to validate that quality for themselves before subscribing. For pure VoIP providers, prequalification allows the selective sign up of only those prospects with broadband performance sufficient to ensure success while screening out prospects likely to encounter performance-related difficulties.

VoIP PreQual is a commercial version of Brix Networks' extremely popular, free testing portal, TestYourVoIP.com, and is built on top of the company's award-winning Brix System.

The Brix VoIP PreQual Application consists of a PreQual Console and the PreQual Agent. The PreQual Console allows a provider's customer care or marketing staff to view, search, and report on the quality of a residential VoIP service prospect's broadband connection. Potential subscribers download the powerful, Java-based PreQual Agent on demand to their Web browser. The PreQual Agent then initiates test VoIP calls and reports the quality and performance results directly to the PreQual Console for further analysis.

The access technology-independent PreQual Agent supports users with cable, DSL, broadband over power line, satellite, or other broadband options.

"Broadband performance that is sufficient for typical e-mail and general Web browsing may fall short of the performance required to support calls with the traditional telephone quality users expect," noted David Kaufman, director of product management at Brix Networks. "This results in frustrated subscribers and mounting customer service costs for providers. Brix VoIP PreQual helps providers build a base of satisfied customers, decrease churn, prevent an escalation of care costs, and protect their reputations."

Comprehensive Quality Metrics 

The VoIP PreQual Application employs the same Brix Tri-Q(TM) Analysis featured in the rest of the Brix Networks' product line, and enables comprehensive testing across the three most vital areas that impact users' experience of quality, including:

--Signaling Quality (call setup performance),

--Delivery Quality (media path network performance), and

--Call Quality (overall voice clarity and call experience).

Brix VoIP PreQual measures overall call quality using the industry-recognized E-Model (ITU-T G.107) standard. VoIP PreQual also reports bi-directional Brix MOS (Mean Opinion Scores) and analyzes the impact of each quality factor on Brix MOS degradation, presenting each in easy-to-understand displays.

Additional diagnostic detail on delivery quality is provided by a host of metrics, including latency, packet loss, and jitter. While delivery and call-quality are most important during prequalification, the PreQual Agent also measures signaling performance, including specific call setup phases and overall setup time.

Seamless Provisioning Integration

Brix VoIP PreQual is designed for seamless integration into a provider's service provisioning infrastructure and workflow. For example, the subscriber-facing VoIP PreQual Web pages can be simply incorporated into an existing service sign-up portal where users can quickly download the PreQual Agent.

At the completion of testing, prospects can be flexibly redirected based on their test results. For example, prospects receiving a passing grade might proceed to final payment while those with questionable quality are automatically issued a trouble ticket. Prospects with unacceptable performance can be redirected to a page describing why they cannot sign up for service.

Availability

The new Brix VoIP PreQual Application will be available at the end of this month and final pricing will be set at that time.

About Brix Networks

Brix Networks is the trusted provider of real-time VoIP performance management solutions that allow service providers, cable companies, enterprises, and government agencies to proactively manage the quality and reliability of their advanced IP networks. The Chelmsford, Mass.-based company's hardware and software offerings enable network operators to see the quality of their services before their customers hear it. Additional information about Brix Networks can be found on the company's Web site at www.brixnet.com, and by calling 978-367-5600, or 1-888-BRIXNET.

Brix Networks, Brix, Brixnet, the Brix Networks logo, and Brix Tri-Q are trademarks of Brix Networks, Inc. All other company or product names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective holders.