PARIS -- Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), a worldwide leader of services to content creators, has developed the Cirpack Session Border Controller to provide access and interfacing for the growing number of voice over IP services. With many operators now using softswitches to provide local loop VoIP and advanced telephony services, there is a growing requirement to interconnect networks over IP, which are potentially at risk from attack. The Cirpack Session Border Controller adds the necessary security measures and provides guaranteed quality of service through the access point.

VoIP is a cost-effective, operationally efficient solution for transporting long-distance traffic and linking islands of softswitch gateways. However, this IP connectivity requires careful protection from denial of service attacks as well as advanced security functionality like topology hiding and secured call control. Quality of service must be maintained, as must support for emergency calling and legal intercepts. With richer service offerings increasingly adding new media services, continuity of media streams needs to be guarded.

"The next stage in development of a modern global communications network is surely the IP-to-IP interconnection between carriers," said Tiaan Schutte, General Manager Software Services Platform of Thomson. "With our tremendous experience in the field, we are able to develop a carrier class Trunking and Access control solution that meets all real world requirements. From ensuring security against denial of service attacks to the ability to exchange billing information, the Cirpack Session Border Controller is a mission-critical solution at a cost-effective price."

The Thomson Cirpack Session Border Controller provides secure native VoIP peering, the demarcation point between two providers networks allowing them to manage signalling, media, control of traffic, and addition of critical security aspects. This flexible solution can be connected to multiple platforms, including next generation softswitches, core IMS and value-added application servers. To protect the operator's investment, the Cirpack Session Border Controller is future-proofed with support for NGN and IMS, with an easy migration path to the IMS 3GPP/TISPAN open standards.

Thomson S.A. (NYSE: TMS; Euronext Paris: 18453)