ALAMEDA, Calif.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-March 27, 2003-In response to recent FCC rule changes affecting the availability of UNE-P (Unbundled Network Element - Platform) services to CLECs, MetaSwitch today announced that it offers a strategic facilities-based next generation telephone solution for CLECs offering voice services that find themselves left without a viable business model using UNE-P.
The cost-effective MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch combines support for all the major broadband and legacy access protocols - VoIP, VoATM and GR-303 - together with a wide range of subscriber services. The result is a superb platform for immediate service delivery and future growth, backed up by a long-term support and maintenance commitment from a stable, professional organization.
The FCC rule changes cover several aspects, but the key news for CLECs includes the finding that switching will no longer be an unbundled element for business customers and that individual states must determine if UNE-P is required for residential customers to provide competition. In addition, the rule changes removed the requirement on RBOCs to provide unbundled packet switching elements (including DSLAMs) and line sharing. Despite the careful compromise inherent in this proposal, the fact that there is no change to unbundled access to the copper loops indicates that the FCC expects CLECs to move towards facilities based competition, rather than relying on access to incumbents' switches and other network elements.
"The recent changes in the FCC unbundling regulations has led to many UNE-P based CLECs having to revise their business model and move towards facilities based voice services", commented John Lazar, MetaSwitch's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The MetaSwitch VP3500 is the ideal strategic platform for CLECs to deploy as it allows them to provide both POTS voice and next generation voice services - at a sensible price point."
The MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Switch provides more than 80 Class 5 services over legacy and broadband (IP/ATM) networks. The VP3500 is an easy-to-deploy solution that scales from under 400 to over 250,000 subscribers per rack.
About MetaSwitch
MetaSwitch, a division of Data Connection, is the result of 21 years of experience supplying leading-edge technology to the telecommunications industry. Data Connection's track record of consistent profitability ensures long-term commitment to product development and customer support.
MetaSwitch has offices in Alameda, CA, Dallas, TX and Reston, VA in the US, and London, Chester and Edinburgh in the UK.
For more information, see www.\b metaswitch\b0 .com.
Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.