Cisco planning an alternative to traditional switch systems

Article Abstract:

Cisco Systems Inc. has announced it will soon introduce a new switching device that will permit telecommunications services to to route data, video and voice on one system at a much lower cost than possible on systems currently deployed, most of which are manufactured by Lucent Technologies Inc., Northern Telecom Ltd. and Ericsson A.B. Called a virtual switch controller, the device will employ an open system architecture permitting the companies using them to buy the controlling software from any software firm that makes it, rather than locking the user into proprietary software supplied by the switch manufacturer. Cost for the device is estimated to be about a tenth what current switches cost. The move is seen as aimed primarily at Lucent, the largest supplier of switches to the telecom industry, and a big threat to Cisco since its recent acquisition of Ascend Communications Inc. Long-distance carrier Sprint Corp. has already made the decision to deploy Cisco Systems Inc.'s virtual switches this summer.

Data Message Switching Eqp, Computer network equipment industry, Network hardware industry, Cisco Systems Inc., CSCO, Computer networking equipment, Telecommunication switching equipment, Telecommunications switching equipment

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'Holy war' over future of wireless

Article Abstract:

Telecommunication companies and governments have begun negotiations over standards for so-called '3rd generation' wireless equipment and services. While CDMA (code division multiple access) is the likely successor to PCS (personal communications services), companies in the USA and Europe are having difficulty getting on the same wavelength for standards within these broader protocols. Qualcomm, in California, was an early maker of CDMA equipment and wants later equipment to be backwards compatible. Ericsson and other European cos. do not currently have CDMA customers to upgrade, so see Qualcomm's efforts as adding to their development costs. Now these differences seem to be shading over into political jockeying as nations and regions struggle to protect what they see as a vital sector in their economies and a means to gain advantage in an important global technology market.

Product development, Cellular Mobile Tel Switching Eqp, Wireless communications, QUALCOMM Inc., QCOM, Cellular telephone equipment industry, Ericsson Telecom A/S

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