VIENNA, Austria -- KEYMILE has today announced the availability of its enhanced UMUX multiservice access platform, which will help network operators to reduce CAPEX and OPEX, while enabling easy migration to a fully packetised environment. Network operators can deliver ATM, TDM and IP based services from the same platform.

Today, the wide range of features within the UMUX platform includes support for IP/Ethernet, ADSL, VoDSL and G.SHDSL. The extensive ATM technology, including a voice gateway function, provides network operators with a bridge to 'next generation' packet-based services. This will ensure continuous Quality of Service (QoS) through existing, widely used ATM networks. Furthermore, KEYMILE is already demonstrating very high speed DSL with ADSL2+ and will introduce Ethernet over SDH as a standard feature in the next six months.

The announcement of KEYMILE's latest UMUX multiservice access platform builds on the established success of the UMUX family, of which 70,000 units have already been deployed around the world. Operators with existing UMUX 1200 and 1500 solutions can upgrade their networks quickly and easily to the new UMUX functionality. KEYMILE has already successfully conducted field trials of the enhanced UMUX platform with many existing customers across the globe.

The enhanced UMUX platform will be showcased on the KEYMILE stands at Telecom 2003 in Geneva (12-18 October), and at Futurecom in Brazil (27-30 October). Key markets include Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and South America.

KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS

1) Multiservice access across new & legacy services provides improved CAPEX & OPEX The UMUX platform gives network operators the flexibility to offer an extremely comprehensive range of new and legacy services, all from a single multiservice access node. This reduces CAPEX and OPEX, by minimising the amount of network equipment, operational and management resources required.

This approach helps operators to develop a business case for rolling out services to even comparatively low densities of subscribers and encourages a rapid return on investment. This is of particular benefit to operators implementing a more distributed network architecture, or planning to roll out services to remote or rural locations. Applications that the latest version of UMUX can support include:

2) Fits into constricted spaces
The small footprint and low power consumption of the UMUX subracks means that they can be more easily integrated within virtually any type of location, such as a streetside cabinet. This is an important benefit for operators because available space in locations for access equipment is often extremely limited, especially when operators are re-using existing nodes or cabinets to house both new and legacy services. Low power consumption makes UMUX very economical, while its rugged design enables it to survive challenging environmental conditions.

3) On-going evolution
By investing in the UMUX platform today, network operators are buying in to a migration strategy that will support their needs well in to the future. UMUX helps network operators move from a TDM/circuit switched to a fully packetised environment via ATM and IP. Further evolution towards an "All IP" solution is planned, the first step being the support of Gigabit Ethernet and IP telephony in 2004.

4) Voice gateway
The UMUX platform now includes a voice gateway that helps operators to cost-effectively extend the range of voice services they can offer. One of the more innovative aspects of the voice gateway function is its ability to support both centralised and distributed environments. Supporting voice over DSL and POTS/ISDN gateway function on a single node is another innovation. This is of particular value to operators planning to enter the voice market for a comparatively low investment, by delivering multiline telephone services and broadband data on the same copper line as well as POTS and ISDN.

5) Remote management and service activation
Operators are constantly seeking ways in which to reduce the number of field visits required to manage their networks. The majority of management, diagnostics and service activation can be carried out remotely, removing the need for engineer site visits.

Keymile AG