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Convergent Networks' ICSP Service Proxy Delivers New SIP-Enabled Services for Carriers
New Softswitch Module Provides Intelligence for Advanced Routing
and Next-Generation Service Delivery
LOWELL, Mass., May 20, 2002 - Convergent Networks, a leading provider of next-generation
voice infrastructure products, today announced its ICSP™ Service Proxy, a service intelligence
component for its Distributed Softswitch Architecture. As carriers move to revenue-generating
enhanced services, future network architectures must evolve to support advanced service
intelligence in the network. Convergent Networks' ICSP Service Proxy meets this demand
by enabling the delivery
of new Internet Protocol (IP)-based services over any access network - packet or circuit
- through Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), bringing traditional phone network capabilities
to IP-based networks
at a fraction of the cost of legacy switches, and providing unparalleled network scale,
performance and resiliency.
The ICSP Service Proxy is an integral part of Convergent Networks' carrier-class softswitch
architecture. Our products have been deployed in carrier networks for more than two
years and are carrying over three billion minutes per month of revenue-generating traffic,
more than any other
next-generation platform. The ICSP Service Proxy enables carriers to more cost-effectively
deploy traditional Class 4 long distance and toll tandem services, as well as enhanced
business and residential
services such as hosted PBX, voice over Virtual Private Networks, distributed call centers
and advanced messaging.
The ICSP Service Proxy delivers SIP services and acts as a service mediation point within IP networks
and the Advanced Intelligence Network (AIN). When deployed with the ICS2000™ broadband
switch, it allows carriers to deliver applications to any user in the network regardless
of their connection, when deployed with the ICS2000™ broadband switch. The ICSP Service
Proxy extends network resources to SIP endpoints, applications, call management
servers or call
agents, and media servers. In addition to its role in delivering SIP applications, the
ICSP Service Proxy handles sophisticated routing, translations and screening functions
for migrating PSTN applications
such as toll tandem and long distance services.
In a related announcement today, Convergent announced eight new SIP applications and technology
partners to its Alliance Program, which further enables carriers to offer new, integrated
services through an open SIP architecture. New partners include: Acme Packet, BroadSoft,
Gallery IP Telephony, IPeria, Pingtel, SnowShore Networks, Sylantro Systems and VocalData.
"Industry players agree: SIP has matured as the leading protocol for applications delivery
within the network. The Distributed Softswitch Architecture leverages this move
towards SIP and distributes call processing across multiple network elements with direct
benefits in scale,
performance and availability," said Christin Flynn, director, Communications Network Infrastructure
at the Yankee Group. "Next-gen vendors need to demonstrate a path to delivering advanced services
to carriers, while assuring them feature parity with their existing PSTN network. The ICSP
enables Convergent Networks to meet this critical requirement."
"As softswitch deployments mature in providing basic long distance and local dial tone services, we recognized the need for a new softswitch component to enhance these services," said Sally Bament, vice president of marketing at Convergent Networks. "With the ICSP Service Proxy, we are enabling carriers to deploy traditional and innovative business and residential services to their customers quickly and economically, in addition to leveraging exciting third-party SIP-based applications initiatives."
Convergent ICSP Service Proxy Product Features:
- Routes calls from a packet network to the PSTN and from the PSTN to a packet network, directing the call processing through the most efficient and economic path in a large, distributed network;
- Interacts with service intelligence in both IP networks and the AIN, mediating instructions back to a SIP endpoint or to an ICS2000 broadband switch, enabling users of even the most basic devices to benefit from innovative services;
- Provides service customization through a powerful scripting language allowing control over screening, translations, routing and service element interaction;
- Aggregates service data typically stored in multiple switches, Service Control Points (SCPs) and network databases, simplifying network operations and supporting large-scale execution of call volumes.
The Convergent Networks ICSP Service Proxy is available in June 2002 and pricing starts at $50,000
in a configuration supporting up to 24,000 IP calls. The ICSP Service Proxy is designed
for deployment in a carrier network with our other switching elements, including the
ICS2000™ broadband
switch, the ICSG™ SS7 signaling gateway, the ICView™ management system, and feature servers
- either the ICSX™ Class 5 feature server from Convergent Networks, or a SIP enabled third-party
application server from one of Convergent Networks' partners.
Convergent Networks is demonstrating its ICSP Service Proxy at the SUPERCOMM 2002 trade show in Atlanta from June 4-6 at booth # 20722.
About Convergent Networks, Inc.
Founded in 1998 and privately held, Convergent Networks is The Voice of Broadband Networking. ™ The
Company designs, develops and markets carrier-class switching solutions that enable
emerging and incumbent carriers to economically deliver innovative broadband services to their
business and residential subscribers. More information about the Company can be found at www.convergentnet.com.
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