Implementation Agreement is the First Effort to Integrate and Deploy IP, ATM, and Voice Services on a Single Network Infrastructure

FREMONT, CA (July 31, 2000) - The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) today announced the ratification of its Implementation Agreement MSF-ARCH-001.00 aimed at providing telecom service providers, equipment vendors, and corporate organizations with a single architectural framework to deliver IP, ATM, and voice services across a single network. Additionally, the MSF architecture also provides for a separation of the switching and control plane.

The MSF envisions a future of global connectivity in which network elements supporting a variety of switching technologies can be interconnected and intermixed with relative freedom.

This Implementation Agreement provides a framework that leverages existing network infrastructures, and extends their capabilities to deliver a wide range of cost-effective services. As a result, service providers can expand their networks, and accelerate the delivery of next generation voice, ATM and IP services. Additionally, it offers large and small service providers the capability to rapidly deploy new and enhanced services - without requiring new investments in switching and transmission resources.

"Developing and ratifying this Implementation Agreement marks a major milestone for the MSF, which embarked on this task 18 months ago," explained Morgan Littlewood, President of the Multiservice Switching Forum. "Within this period of time, we have developed the first architecture that crosses the boundaries of the voice, ATM, and IP services worlds, while providing a framework to expand next generation networks."

The MSF Implementation Agreement provides a blueprint to develop a single infrastructure that will support innovative services, controlled by software that can be adapted to work with the new and evolving technologies of today's communications marketplace.

"This Implementation Agreement provides the necessary framework to accelerate the deployment of multiservice networks, enabling service providers to specialize their offerings, and leverage common switching and transmission resources, as well as the variety of control capabilities required to deliver and manage such services," explained David McDysan, Technical Committee Chairperson for the Multiservice Switching Forum.

This Implementation Agreement fully complements the standards developed by many standards bodies, including notably International Telecommunications Union - Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T), and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

About the MSF
Established in 1998, the Multiservice Switching Forum's (MSF) mission is to accelerate the deployment of open communications systems that realize economic benefits, which result from the flexible support of a full range of network services using multiple infrastructure technologies. The focus is on the development of architectures and industry agreements that enable interoperability and innovation in a rapidly evolving environment.

The MSF is comprised of a group of leading telecom service and technology companies striving to improve interoperability among networking technologies. The goal of the MSF is to make it easier for service providers to provide a wide range of services in the global marketplace. For more information contact the Multiservice Switching Forum at 510-608-3990, or via the Web at http://www.msforum.org.

Contact:
MSF Agency Contact:
Domenick Cilea
Springboard Communications
732-863-1900 ext. 102
dcilea@s-board.com