Focal Offers 32 Voice Channels Per T1

CHICAGO -- Focal Communications Corporation today announced unique enhancements to its Integrated Voice and Data (IVAD) service that deliver exceptional value to business customers. Focal's IVAD now extends the voice capabilities of an integrated T1 beyond the traditional 24 voice channel limit, offering up to 32 channels on a single circuit. IVAD Tie Trunk connects two separate IVAD locations, enabling dedicated interoffice voice communications, long distance traffic aggregation, and sharing of common phone system features. OPX, an application of IVAD Tie Trunk, extends a customer's premises telephone system features to another office or remote location. IVAD with Voice Extension Feature Set is an attractive solution for small to medium-sized businesses, as well as for larger enterprises with branch or sales offices.

"Businesses with T1-plus communications bandwidth needs can now choose an integrated voice and data solution that allows up to 32 voice channels and 1.5 Mbps of data on a single T1," said Elizabeth Vanneste, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Focal. "The expansion of line options beyond the 24 voice channel limit and IVAD's ability to dynamically allocate bandwidth as voice and data needs fluctuate, truly differentiates Focal's IVAD service offering in the integrated access marketplace. The new IVAD Tie Trunk and OPX features provide even more flexibility and value by enabling multi-site, multi-service enterprise applications at little incremental service cost to customers."

Focal's IVAD Voice Extension Feature Set meets the needs of customers focused on service value in a number of ways. The unmatched T1 line density of Focal's IVAD Voice Extension Feature Set provides more voice and data service on a single circuit for less cost to customers. Leveraging a single telecommunications platform enterprise-wide also translates to less capital investment in premises telephone systems for the customer.

Tie trunk transport service creates a voice private network for unlimited flat-rated location to location calling, eliminating expensive toll charges. In addition, customers who have dedicated access lines to an inter-exchange carrier can utilize tie trunks to aggregate long distance traffic from multiple IVAD locations in order to drive lower per minute rates.

Focal IVAD with Voice Extension Feature Set also provides value to customers by simplifying management of telecommunications systems and expense. The customer's IT manager has the convenience of dealing with a single service provider for voice and data needs. Moves, adds and changes are more easily managed. Access to the public service telephone network, Internet access, and private voice and data communications are delivered over a single service platform. A single platform standardizes how communications are supported in remote locations and enables centralized billing of a wide range of services. Internal technical staff can support voice and data services with access to public and private networks from a single organization.

Finally, Focal Tie Trunk and OPX extend the convenience of a common voice platform to all employees. Multiple offices communicate more easily via extension dialing and remote workers have access to their company's phone system features.

IVAD with Voice Extension Feature Set creates service value with its unmatched ability to deliver more services, more efficiently to Focal customers.

Focal Corp.