Lucent Technologies Enhances Cable Offer to Help Cable Operators Quickly Deploy IP-Based Voice and Data Services

Business Wire, Dec 16, 1999

New Hardware, Software and Services Give Cable Operators

Cost-Effective Options to Deploy IP Services Now and Grow Capacity

With Market Demand

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced enhancements to its cable offer that include new hardware, software and services designed to help cable operators quickly deploy, manage and bill for high-speed data and cable telephony services that use the Internet Protocol (IP).

Having successfully deployed the offer, referred to as CableConnectSM Solutions, in trials on existing cable networks, Lucent is moving to streamline the deployment process by lowering the start-up costs and making the process modular. Using this approach, cable operators can start with targeted deployments and build on them as demand grows. The enhancements include:

- IP Telephony in a Box - a secure, self-contained cabinet

featuring the new PathStar(TM) Compact Data Shelf that can be

pre-configured and dropped off at the cable operator's network

site for rapid service deployment.

- CableConnect Operations Support Solution (OSS) - an end-to-end

operations software solution supporting customer care, billing

and network management.

- NetCare(R) Broadband Services - newly-formed group within NetCare

offering a set of services to design, construct and maintain

cable networks.

"Since we announced our CableConnect Solutions, we've been completely focused on speed to market and making cable telephony over IP real," said Dee Dee Nye, vice president, cable communications, Lucent Technologies. "We've based these enhancements on feedback from customers who want to rapidly deploy new services so they can start earning revenue and position themselves for growth in the broadband future."

IP Telephony in a Box

IP Telephony in a Box leverages Lucent's experience and success with similar pre-configured, rapid deployment solutions such as its `Central Office in a Box' and is targeted to cable operators that are expanding or upgrading their networks but have limited space for new equipment in existing headends. It uses a standard concrete Controlled Environment Cabinet (8' h, 6' w, 8.6' l) that Lucent can pre-configure with the exact equipment a cable operator needs for the services they plan to deploy in that area, including IP switches and routers, cable modem termination systems and SONET equipment.

The key to IP Telephony in a Box is the new PathStar(TM) Access Server Compact Data Shelf. Ideal for cable environments, the Compact Data Shelf delivers the same features and functionality of the Data Shelf contained in the larger PathStar Access Server but from a rack-mounted 19-inch shelf. Up to three of these Compact Data Shelves can be mounted in a cable operator's standard seven-foot rack, providing the highest line density in the industry. A true Bell Labs innovation, the PathStar Access Server was recently named Product of the Year by Computer Telephony magazine.

For a cable operator looking to begin deployment of cable telephony, IP Telephony in a Box can be quickly planned, staged and delivered for immediate service to begin. As service demand grows in that area, a single PathStar Compact Data Shelf will be able to grow from one cable telephone line to more than 10,000 lines, providing true scaleability.

CableConnect OSS

The CableConnect OSS is a full network operations support solution that has been designed to support the needs of cable operators as they migrate their service offerings from video only to voice, video and data. Lucent's software provides customer care and billing for integrated services, flow-through provisioning, and advanced fault management and trouble isolation. It is also designed to comply with PacketCable(TM) requirements to ensure interoperability in multi-vendor environments.

Similar to the scaleable and rapid service aspects of IP Telephony in a Box, the CableConnect OSS is modular so that cable operators can purchase only the elements required for their immediate business needs and can then add new systems and functionality over time.

Leveraging this modular approach, Lucent is working with leading cable software providers to enhance the CableConnect OSS. As part of a joint agreement announced today, General Instrument's NETsentry(TM) management system will integrate with Lucent's CableConnect OSS, enabling cable operators to use the combined network management systems to provision, manage and monitor the end-to-end network.

Lucent is also working with MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: MDSI) to integrate workforce management capability into the CableConnect OSS. This software enables install and repair orders generated at the cable operator's office to be automatically dispatched to mobile technicians to reduce response times and improve overall service availability.

NetCare Broadband Services

Lucent's NetCare Broadband Services is dedicated to taking NetCare's extensive professional service capabilities and expanding them to include a comprehensive set of professional services focused on the specific needs of cable operators. These services offer a complete turnkey solution from the initial design and engineering of the network through its implementation, and supported throughout the process by comprehensive project management.