CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- Astral Point Communications, Inc. said today it is now shipping a second interface module for its ON 5000 Optical Services Node that can further reduce the cost of deploying and provisioning voice services by local service providers. The new STS-1 Transmultiplexer module complements Astral Point's 3/1/0 switching capability announced in August 2000, which gives carriers an alternative to the traditional large, centralized digital cross-connect systems (DCS) by distributing this functionality throughout the network.

"Voice and leased-line services continue to dominate the service providers' revenue streams. That forces them to balance the continued support of these services using credible technology with the desire to support growth in packet-based service revenues. Astral Point's Transmultiplexer represents an excellent response to this service provider balancing act, and a strong product for consideration by both incumbent and emerging carriers," Tom Nolle, president of CIMI, Corp., a leading telecommunications consulting firm, stated.

Astral Point Communications Inc.