Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited

Fujitsu Unveils Latest Evolution of GeoStream Access Gateway at 21st Century Communications World Forum in London

Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe highlights the latest innovations to its market-leading Multi Node Access Network (MSAN) platform, from 27-30 March at the Business Design Centre Islington, London

Birmingham, 9th March 2006 — Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, is spotlighting the latest evolution of its award-winning GeoStream Access Gateway on Stand No: 273 at 21st Century Communications World Forum event. Enhancements include a new Ethernet/IP DSLAM configuration, which is designed to allow operators to take advantage of the economic benefits of Ethernet networks in a planned migration and without compromising on service quality. Another new facet is the availability of the H.248 Access Gateway configuration, providing a cost-effective solution to deploying traditional voice services in a Next Generation Network (NGN), delivering the benefits of VoIP with the performance of the PSTN. These advances underline Fujitsu’s strategy of positioning GeoStream Access Gateway as a true gateway, with the new features available in conjunction with all of the existing platform facilities.

Fujitsu’s market-leading MSAN technology provides operators with the optimum cost-effective technology on which to build 21st century networks, as part of Fujitsu’s fully integrated single-source strategy to provide broadband alongside voice services, on a common network infrastructure. This is underlined by Fujitsu’s role as a key preferred supplier to BT in the access domain, announced earlier this month, providing MSAN solutions to link BT’s existing access network to the 21CN core IP-based network. The contract with BT highlights Fujitsu’s ability to deliver a major component within the world’s first realisation of an IP converged network, supporting both voice and data services in a packet-based infrastructure, as BT advances its investment in world-leading next-generation network technology.

Fujitsu’s product strategy focuses on integrated solutions that aid seamless network evolution, bridging the technology divide between legacy and new access networks. The GeoStream Access Gateway portfolio provides a common platform for both fibre and copper terminations across a wide range of existing and next-generation services. The multi-service capability of the GeoStream Access Gateway offers support for the widest breadth of service delivery, including ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, SDSL, VDSL, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, PON, GPON, WiMAX, SDH and PDH – all from the same platform, vastly reducing the operational cost of the access network.

Fujtsu’s award-winning MSAN technology incorporates the world’s most advanced DSL platform, with the modular, multi-service GeoStream Access Gateway Hub1000 capable of supporting thousands of broadband users on a single ATM/Ethernet network interface. Fujitsu’s Hub1000 delivers industry-leading operational flexibility and scalability, reflecting the company’s commitment to evolve fully managed, cost-effective network migration solutions. Key components of Fujitsu’s GeoStream Access Gateway portfolio include the Integrated Voice Line Card Sub-System – GeoStream Access Gateway IV-LCSS – each of which supports up to 64 subscriber lines, allowing operators to provide conventional telephony services as well as broadband, via a common integrated platform installed at a local exchange. Ensuring a seamless migration from legacy voice platforms, Fujitsu’s GeoStream Access Gateway IV-LCSS offers full and field-proven compliance with H.248. With its design and manufacture located in the UK, the product’s local focus enables Fujitsu to offer European operators considerable flexibility in design development and supply management, with the company’s Birmingham-based engineering facilities representing the global centre of Broadband product excellence for the entire Fujitsu group.

Evolving GeoStream Access Gateway – The Latest Features
The GeoStream Access Gateway Gigabit Ethernet Auxiliary module (GE AUX) is a plug-in to the existing GeoStream Access Gateway Hub1000 chassis. Four GE AUX modules can be connected to a single Hub1000, with each providing up to 4 x Gigabit Ethernet and 4 x 10/100 BaseT interfaces. The Gigabit Ethernet interfaces can be electrical or optical, short or long haul, while interfaces can be unprotected or resilient, including support for Ethernet link aggregation. When fitted with the GE AUX, the GeoStream Access Gateway can be deployed as an Ethernet-only DSLAM, or as a combined Ethernet and ATM node, simultaneously carrying and switching packet as well as cell-based services. This allows network operators to choose when to migrate services to Ethernet and provides the option of maintaining ATM services if required.

To support Ethernet services, several other features are enabled by software within the GeoStream Access Gateway. For example, the existing DSL line card modules can be upgraded to support the automatic detection of PPP session type, and the seamless conversion of PPPoA to PPPoE – allowing migration of existing end-users to a new Ethernet network without changing their DSL CPE configuration. Similarly, nested VLAN support can also be enabled – allowing scalable VLAN deployments, even for mass residential services.

The GeoStream Access Gateway AGSF module is Fujitsu’s “Access Gateway Signalling Function” which, in conjunction with Fujitsu’s previously announced IV-LCSS64 combined ADSL and POTS line card, transforms GeoStream Access Gateway into an H.248 Access Gateway. The AGSF module is a software upgrade to the existing Fujitsu Hub1000, which allows the GeoStream Access Gateway to communicate with Call Agents using the internationally adopted H.248 protocols. Targeted at delivering genuine PSTN replacement services, the AGSF handles priority for emergency calls and maintains high levels of performance even during overload conditions. To support different service providers and/or distinct service sets, the AGSF can be used to create multiple Virtual Access Gateways (VAG) on a single access platform, with each controlled by different call agents. The AGSF runs on the existing HS-IML module within the Hub1000, and can be 1:1 protected for resilience. Each HS-IML module connects to a maximum of 2048 customer lines, with the AGSF processing capacity scaling as each module is added.

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About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers' success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$44.5 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.
For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com

About Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe

Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited is a major supplier of Broadband Access equipment in Europe and is Fujitsu's worldwide design location for access network solutions - including a centre of excellence for the development of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. From its base in Birmingham, West Midlands, Fujitsu designs, develops and manufactures telecommunications technology for the European market. The company has a long-standing relationship with BT, with its technology accounting for over 3 million lines of DSL broadband in the UK. The company’s advanced technology has resulted in the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2005, in addition to the ISPA Best Hardware Award 2005.
For more information, please see: uk.fujitsu.com

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