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June 30, 2002

3-2-1 liftoff! That was how this newsletter was supposed to begin. However, we have gotten some devastating news from our Wcom friends that changes the tone of the intro to this letter. Wcom, in an effort to get back on track, started severe cut backs last Friday. One group they hit was the Technologies lab people. That cut affects both leadership and working groups within MSF. Nevertheless, we still have to deal with this as an organization. Therefore I ask you, the current members of MSF, to step up your support for MSF. Identify possible candidates to fill leadership positions and volunteers to the Working Groups.

Finally to our friends formerly with Wcom I'd like to say: "Thank you for everything you have done for us, you have been fantastic. I hope we will have many chances to meet again and I keep my fingers crossed that all of you, in the end, will come out ahead!"

Back to the planned newsletter!

GMI 2002 has been launched in the press and within our membership. GMI hosts, BT and NTT, are working with the GMI Task Force to set the stage for a successful event in November. Press response has been extremely positive as MSF ramps up to show the industry true global interoperability. In this issue of the newsletter, Roger Ward and Rich Seager discuss the progress of the GMI - weighing in on MSF's Technical Meeting in Rome, which set the stage for the successful launch of the GMI 2002.

Sign up now! Participation applications for the GMI 2002 are now being accepted and space is limited. For more detailed information see the MSF website http://www.msforum.org/interoperability/GMI2002.shtml.

MSF's strong membership and commitment to demonstrating global interoperability is the driving force behind what is sure to be incredible success in November.

Keep the spirit up!
Guy

IN THIS ISSUE:

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Following my usual practice, I am writing to give you my perspective on our recent meeting in Rome and to reinforce understanding of what I am trying to achieve for you, the MSF membership, with the MSF Board of Directors.

Rome was important for us in two ways. First, it was a real pleasure to see Rich Seager & the new Technical Leadership really get into gear with driving through the detail of what is required to make the Global MSF Interoperability 2002 Program (GMI) a real success. Second, it was pleasing to see the launch of the MSF branding initiative and the web based facility for members wanting to use the MSF Release 1 Implementation Support logo.

The GMI Program will comprise two principal events. The main event will be called "Global MSF Interoperability 2002." This will be hosted at major carrier network accreditation labs in the US, Japan and Europe.

The GMI will be supported by a pre-interoperability event that is planned for late August or early September 2002. It will be held at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab that has a good track record for supporting major US industry forums (e.g. ATM Forum, earlier joint ISC & MS testing).

The MSF Branding Program For the MSF to succeed in its objectives to influence the industry, it is important that support of MSF Implementation Agreements is widely recognized. The MSF Release 1 Implementation branding initiative recognizes that the development & implementation of MSF Implementation Agreements is an ongoing process that seeks to achieve, year on year, progressively higher standards of interoperability and openness. Thus many vendors will be able now to claim support of MSF Release 1 architecture and benefit from their membership of the MSF whilst still contributing to the MSF ongoing work program.

I hope this helps with your understanding of all that we are trying to achieve for you through your membership of this important global forum. I thank you for your continued support and I look forward to meeting you all again in Denver in July.

Roger Ward,
MSF President

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TC CHAIR's NOTEBOOK

New Charters, New Faces and New Chairs

I would like welcome and thank both Mike Kallas and Chris Gallon to the role of Chairperson for the Architecture and Protocol and Control (previously named Media Control) Working Groups respectively. I am also pleased to welcome Simon Tavanyar who was elected as Vice Chair of the Interoperability Working Group. Both the Architecture and the Protocol and Control working groups have modified there charters to adjust to the changing times and technologies. These changes better define the responsibilities for each working group and provide a clear path moving forward in ensuring that the architecture and the protocols which are currently being worked will follow a more defined process. These changes were ratified in Rome, Italy at the last TC meeting via a TC vote. Please log into the MSF web site for more details.

MSF Making Progress

After the second meeting of the MSF, it is clear that is no shortage of work, even in these trying economic times. Between the four technical groups under the Technical Committee we have twenty-seven documents currently in the process of being worked, these include Implementation Agreements, test plans, technical profiles and requirements documents and even more contributions on there way. With this work load we continue to make great progress in defining in greater detail the MSF Architecture for both Release 1 and the proposed Release 2 currently being defined. The remainder of 2002 continues to be busy and we look forward to you continued support throughout this year and into 2003.

Global MSF Interoperability 2002, a Reality

As we move forward at lightning speed to meeting our goals for proving the Release 1 Architecture and its needed protocols, we continue to work the logistics needed to support the interoperability event from a global perspective. With the intent of the trial to span 3 continents and two oceans, support from our carrier members has been great as we work to closing in on the necessary pieces of the network behind the event. The call flows have been defined, test plans are underway and we have received solid support from our supplier community within the MSF for supporting the effort with equipment and software. Our goals to achieving this GLOBAL event are coming closer.

Rich Seager,
MSF TC Chair

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GMI 2002 UPDATE

We are very pleased to announce that BTexact Technologies and NTT have agreed to host the GMI 2002 in the UK and Japan, respectively.

Important Dates for Participants: If you are interested in participating in the GMI 2002, please send the "Letter of Intent" which was included in the Participant Package sent to members on June 21. Letters of intent must be received by September 2, 2002.

Final signed contracts and NDAs are due on or before September 13, 2002. After September 13,2002, at the sole discretion of the MSF, Participants who have not returned a signed contract shall be dropped from participation in the Demonstration

Full payment due by October 4, 2002. Payment may be made by check (payable to Multiservice Switching Forum), VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. . Signed Contracts/NDAs should be faxed to: +1-510-608-5917: c/o Julianne Fitzpatrick

Payments should be sent to: Multiservice Switching Forum/Global MSF Interoperability 2002
39355 California Street, Suite 307
Fremont, CA 94538

Please make checks payable to Multiservice Switching Forum.

For more information about the GMI 2002 please got to the MSF website: http://www.msforum.org/interoperability/GMI2002.shtml

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MSF AT SUPERCOMM 2002

Supercomm 2002 in Atlanta GA provided the backdrop for MSF to announce the GMI 2002 and beat the drum for the Supports R1 Architecture Program. Members of MSF's Technical Committee, GMI Task Force and Marketing Committee met with Supercomm attendees and with members of the press throughout the 3-day tradeshow to discuss these key MSF programs. Response to the GMI 2002 announcement was extremely positive.

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SUPPORTS RELEASE 1 PROGRAM UPDATE

The Supports Release 1 Program continues to gain notice within the MSF membership and beyond. Cisco was the first to adopt the R1 Program followed closely by Marconi and Samsung. See a list of products that support R1 here: http://www.msforum.org/techinfo/product_list.shtml.

A press release will soon be distributed to announce MSF members who have adopted the R1 Program will soon. If your company has incorporated the R1 Program please contact Julianne Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@msforum.org by Tuesday, July 9.

To list your company's products that Support R1 on the MSF website, please contact Cindy Morgan at cmorgan@msforum.org.

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NEW MEMBERS: MSF WELCOMES EMPIRIX, ITALTEL, LEAPSTONE SYSTEMS and ZTE CORPORATION

Empirix delivers solutions that help enterprises and telecoms to improve the performance of their Web-based applications (including CRM and ERP programs), optimize their contact centers' IVR and CTI infrastructure, and ensure the reliability of their next-generation communications equipment and networks. For more information go to http://www.empirix.com/.

Italtel designs, develops and installs new generation integrated multi-service networks (voice/data/video), with a systems integration capability that ensures tlc fixed and mobile operators and ISPs infrastructure that is reliable and open to networking and future technological developments. iMSS (Italtel Multi-Service Solutions) Softswitch platform provides a tangible and effective response to network operators who are looking for ways to gradually, reliably and cost-effectively integrate the IP environment with fixed and mobile telephone networks allowing providers to offer integrated and innovative services scenarios. For more information go to http://www.italtel.com/webitaltel/homeflash.html.

For carriers who will drive network evolution, Leapstone's Communications Convergence Engine ("CCE") accelerates new service introduction. Leapstone's solution unifies network services, back-office systems and hybrid network environments and allows carriers to quickly deliver innovative new services across the network. For more information go to http://www.leapstone.com/.

ZTE Corporation is China's largest listed telecom manufacturer specializing in providing customized network solutions to telecom carriers worldwide. Listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1997, ZTE Corporation has been devoted to maximize the return to shareholders through its commitment to people, advanced technologies and quality services. With RMB 14 billion (USD1.686 billion) in contracted revenue in 2001, ZTE will continue its high-speed development in 2002. ZTE develops and manufactures telecommunication equipment for fixed network, mobile network, data communication network, optical transport network, intelligent network and next generation network. For more information go to http://www.zte.com.cn/english

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MSF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING

The Multiservice Switching Forum's TC meeting will be held Tuesday - Thursday, July 30 - August 1, 2002, at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, Colorado.

To register for the meeting, please complete the on-line registration process on the MSF web site under Meetings and Events (http://www.msforum.org/events/upcoming.shtml). The registration fee is $225 if you register before Tuesday, July 16, 2002 and $325 after that date.

Hotel accommodations with the Hyatt Regency must be made by Wednesday, July 3, 2002. Please call +1-303-295-1234 to make your reservations. You must mention "Multiservice Switching Forum" in order to secure the discounted room rate of $156.00 USD per night.

Please note the following important deadlines below for this meeting:
Hotel Reservations made on or before - Wednesday, July 3, 2002
Meeting Registration on MSF web site before - Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Contributions must be submitted before - Tuesday, July 16, 2002

Note: Printed copies of the contributions will not be available for this meeting. Please be sure to download any contributions you will need before the meeting starts.

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CONTACT US!

Feedback? Want to include something in the next issue? We want to hear from you! Send your comments and contributions for the next issue to jfitzpatrick@msforum.org by August 21, 2002.


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