New Services to Include Access to Web Page Content From Ordinary Phones and
Internet-Based Call Control Management
MURRAY HILL, N.J., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced three intelligent network (IN) services that communications network operators will be able to provide using Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The new services will enable users to retrieve Web-based content with a standard telephone, manage telephone calls through a Web browser and gain access to IP network services regardless of callers' locations or what computer or phone they may be using.
The services are enabled by Lucent's new Packet Intelligent Peripheral software platform, which will allow carriers to deliver enhanced services for both voice and data networks. This IP/IN solution will provide carriers with the capabilities for offering voice services, such as speech recognition, using their IP networks. Similarly, the platform will also provide IP-based services, such as those that interact with Web servers, for a voice network.
The new IP/IN services being announced with the Packet Intelligent Peripheral software platform include:
TelePortal -- which will allow service providers to offer personalized
interactive voice response (IVR) services. This means an end user can
retrieve Web content using a standard telephone. Examples of
voice-enabled applications are users accessing Web-based weather or
traffic information, banking transaction services, and other electronic
commerce applications. Similarly, a salesperson using TelePortal could
dial into a corporate intranet from a phone, then use conversational
requests and interactions to receive real-time order status information.
Internet Call Control Management -- which will enable business users to
manage features such as Call Screening/Redirect, Call Log and Directory
Dialing using Lucent-provided software that interfaces with a Web
browser. Call Screening/Redirect allows the user to have certain phone
calls come through while sending others directly to voice mail or to a
delegate, depending on a personal profile. The Call Log feature allows
users to view all of their incoming calls graphically on a computer
screen. To return a call, the user simply clicks on a number displayed
in the log. Directory Dialing lets users build a personal database from
the incoming call log and can also integrate corporate directories
containing phone numbers for every employee in a company. In order to
place a call, users simply click on a displayed name.
NextGen NetPortal -- which will provide capabilities for recognizing
subscribers and for logging onto IP networks and gaining access to
services -- regardless of the caller's location or what computer or phone
they may be using. NextGen NetPortal performs the fundamental
interactions required to deliver services to next-generation network
customers. These include user registration and authentication,
service/feature administration and policy management. These functions
need to occur as seamlessly for callers using next-generation IP networks
as they do in today's circuit networks.
"Many carriers are migrating toward IP-based networks because they offer cost-effective transport, along with the potential for an array of new services," said Curtis Holmes, Lucent Technologies intelligent network vice president. "At the end of the day, it's not the network protocol that matters, it's the services you can deliver on that network. Lucent has one of the most robust portfolios of enhanced services today, and we're entering the next-generation IP arena with additional services and building blocks."
The IP/IN solution's software architecture is based on Lucent's PacketStar(TM) IP Services Platform. The PacketStar IP Services Platform is a programmable, multiprotocol software system that enables IP and public switched telephone networks to interoperate, and also provides a software switch call model for implementing next-generation network call logic. This breakthrough software switch technology (originally announced in September 1998) is currently being deployed in trials by next-generation network carriers. A common service creation environment across the Lucent IP/IN solution will enable service designers to access both the software switch call model and IN elements. An integrated service management system can control the provisioning and maintenance of the service across all elements of the IP/IN solution.
"By integrating key technologies from the PacketStar IP Services Platform with our existing IN portfolio, Lucent is giving carriers the power to move at 'Internet speed' to deploy next-generation services," said Holmes.
The company's IP/IN offerings also include Lucent's Online Communications Center with Internet Call Waiting, announced at CeBIT '99 earlier this month. The Online Communications Center enables service providers to offer consumers and businesses easy-to-use options for answering and forwarding telephone calls while connected to the Internet.
Lucent will be demonstrating Online Communications Center, Internet Call Control Management and TelePortal at its booth at IN World Forum in Orlando, Fl., March 28 - April 1. The Lucent IP/IN services announced today will be available for market trials during the second quarter of 1999 and the company plans to make them generally available by the end of the year. Lucent plans to introduce additional IP/IN services throughout the year.
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. More information about Lucent Technologies is available on the company's Web site at: http://www.lucent.com.
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