Vendors' ISDN Association holds Industry Forum; sets technical, market agenda for 1997-98; VIA to focus on applications implementation, educating industry and end-users.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1997--The Vendors' ISDN Association (VIA), an association of ISDN CPE vendors devoted to the automation, simplification, and global deployment of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), held an Industry Forum here May 13 to update progress on its three key initiatives and to announce new initiatives for 1997-98.

At the meeting, VIA provided an update on the significant progress achieved in the past six months on its three current initiatives: Always On/Dynamic ISDN (AO/DI), CPE Diagnostics (CPED), and Initialization Simplification (IS). New initiatives were also identified by the members of VIA as key focus areas over the next 12 months.

Current Initiatives

AO/DI, an application proposed by VIA members as a key ISDN initiative in 1996, uses the ISDN D-channel X.25 packet service to maintain an "always on" virtual connection between an ISDN end-user and an information service provider. This continuous connection allows more efficient use of the existing network infrastructure by ISPs and the LEC, and results in a less expensive, more efficient connection for end-users.

At the meeting, 15 VIA companies announced that they will incorporate AO/DI technology into their products by the first quarter of 1998. These companies include 3Com, ADTRAN, Bay Networks, BinTec Communications, Eicon Technology, Intel, ITK Telecommunications, Jetstream Communications, Motorola, Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, U.S. Robotics, Virtual Access, and ZyXEL. Products supporting AO/DI will be introduced by these companies beginning with the third quarter of 1997. VIA members will work with the North American ISDN Users' Forum's (NIUF) newly formed AO/DI Ad Hoc Group and with the National ISDN Council (NIC) to advance the implementation process for AO/DI applications.

VIA also reported that it has achieved significant progress in two principal sections of its Initialization Simplification (IS) Initiative. The first, Switch Identification, was developed to distinguish the protocol, version, and type/manufacturer of the switch being used, thereby eliminating the need for the user to manually enter the information when initiating a voice or data call. An agreement was reached with Bellcore this year to implement Switch ID, resulting in automatic identification of National ISDN BRI lines.

Eleven VIA companies announced that they currently support Switch ID or plan to implement the application into their products by the end of 1997. These companies include 3Com, ADTRAN, Bay Networks, Digi, Eicon Technology, Motorola, Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, VideoServer, and Virtual Access.

AutoSPID, the second chief component of the initiative, is now available in certain office switches. AutoSPID is currently supported or will be supported by the end of the year by 16 VIA members including 3Com, ADTRAN, Bay Networks, BinTec Communications, Digi, Eicon Technology, ITK Telecommunications, Jetstream Communications, Motorola, Shiva, Telenetworks, TELES, U.S. Robotics, VideoServer, Virtual Access, and ZyXEL.

VIA reported that a specification for CPE Diagnostics (CPED), VIA's third initiative, was completed and presented by new VIA member AT&T at a recent Bellcore-sponsored CPE Diagnostics workshop. VIA is working closely with Bellcore to develop standardized diagnostics capabilities in vendor equipment, including state and fault management, cause codes, and loopback testing, among others. These diagnostic tools will allow rapid troubleshooting and resolution of ISDN troubles, resulting in better quality service for end-users and more efficient problem-solving capabilities from telco service technicians.

VIA members are committed in principle to the CPED specification; members Jetstream Communications, TELES, U.S. Robotics, and Virtual Access will implement CPED into their products by the first quarter of 1998.

"VIA has already made great strides in the past eight months toward the simplification of ISDN," said Walt Mansell, VIA's new president, who participated in the Industry Forum. "We have a full agenda of goals and objectives for the coming year, both in driving the current initiatives toward full implementation and use, and in addressing new issues to further simplify and automate ISDN."

"VIA and NIC have established a very strong working relationship in VIA's first year of existence," added Garrett Jenkins, NIC chair. "Our organizations are working in parallel to implement technology which brings us closer to achieving our common goal of ISDN automation and widespread deployment."

New Initiatives

VIA and the NIC agreed at the Industry Forum to continue working together on implementation of the three key initiatives, as well as to identify new technical and market focus areas. Proposed initiatives for 1997-98 include ISDN ordering codes simplification, EZ ISDN codes, tariff consistency, and provisioning improvements, among others. VIA has already been heavily involved in the development of simplified, standardized ISDN ordering codes (IOC) and with EZ ISDN codes, and will increase its focus in these areas. Tariff standardization is necessary for AO/DI implementation, and as such, will be a significant issue for VIA to resolve.

VIA is currently developing a market education program designed to inform potential end-users about the benefits of using ISDN. Additionally, VIA is working to educate telcos, Internet service providers (ISPs), CPE vendors, and other companies involved in networking and communications technologies about the benefits of VIA's key initiatives. In addition to its education programs, VIA will explore ways to work with all industry organizations to simplify and automate ISDN.

CONTACT: VIA, Inc.

Deepak Kamlani, 510/277-8110

[e-mail]

http://www.via-isdn.org