HP and Cisco Announce OpenCall Multiservice Controller for Advanced VoIP Services

Business Wire, Sept 21, 1999

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 1999--

HP INTRODUCES OPENCALL SOLUTION PROVIDER PROGRAM

OpenCall Multiservice Controllers Offer Flexible, Scalable Platform for Advanced Value-added Services in Carrier VoIP Networks

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced the availability of the first release of the OpenCall Multiservice Controller (OCMC), building on the relationship between HP and Cisco Systems announced last year.

Targeted at local and long distance carriers, Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the OpenCall Multiservice Controller combines HP OpenCall -- a robust, proven, telco-class service creation, execution and management platform -- and H.323 to deliver a highly scalable and flexible environment for developing and deploying advanced services in New World service-provider networks.

OCMC's open service creation environment enables service providers to develop and deploy customized, differentiated services, including Voice Virtual Private Network, Internet call waiting and click-to-talk, to expand their service offerings, generate additional revenue and retain customers.

OCMC interoperates with Cisco's packet telephony gateways, including the AS5300 and AS5800 Voice Gateways, 2600 and 3600 series multiservice modular access routers and Multimedia Conference Manager (Cisco's IOS-based H.323 Gatekeeper). OCMC is supported on a wide range of hardware platforms, from entry-level HP 9000 A-Class servers up to HP 9000 multiprocessors K-Class servers, to ensure a scalable and cost-effective deployment.

"Carrier-class service creation and deployment platforms such as OCMC that incorporate H.323 gatekeeper technology deliver the promise of advanced services to packet networks," said Ami Amir, chief executive officer of RADVision. "OCMC integrates RADVision's H.323v2 technology enhanced for creating services for packet telephony networks."

OCMC is expected to be available worldwide from HP in October, starting at $25,000 for the software and the computer hardware.

By early 2000, HP OpenCall's proven carrier-grade SS7 connectivity will be added to OCMC to enable value-added services for both Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN). OCMC will also interwork with carriers' existing SCP-based services to fully leverage existing investments in IN/AIN infrastructure. Future releases of OCMC will support additional Cisco IP network elements, such as the Virtual Switch Controller (VSC), under the common OCMC layer for value-added services. A common service application layer, integrating multiple network elements, is key to unlocking a wide range of highly innovative, New World services spanning PSTN and IP networks.

HP OpenCall Solution Provider Program

In order to broaden service providers' choice for services and promote innovation, HP also announced the HP OpenCall Solution Provider Program, which will support Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Systems Integrators (SIs) in the development of applications for telecommunications companies and ISPs. The program facilitates the development of IN-based services for both voice and data networks, enabling service providers to achieve a faster time to market.

"Open platforms like OCMC let application developers such as IntelliNet bring our expertise in developing conventional IN services to New World networks," said Anjan Ghosal, president and chief executive officer of IntelliNet Technologies. "IntelliNet has been working with HP and Cisco to develop various applications on OCMC."

Developers interested in receiving more information on the program and its benefits can contact HP via the Web at http://hp.com/go/opencall.> OCMC will be showcased at Telecom99 in Geneva at the HP booth.

About HP's Communications Industry Business Unit

HP is powering the communications industry by supplying communications IT infrastructure to every Fortune 500 telecommunications company in the world today. HP and its partners deliver management, network intelligence, billing and customer-care solutions for UNIX(R) and Windows NT(R) system platforms, enabling service providers to migrate from network- to customer-focused business models as the Internet and telephony worlds converge. More information is available on the Web at http://www.hp.com/telecom.> About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.

HP plans to launch Agilent Technologies as an independent company by mid-calendar 2000. Agilent consists of HP's test and measurement, semiconductor products, chemical analysis and healthcare solutions businesses, and has leading positions in multiple market segments.