Intel Press Release

Intel Introduces Modular Communications Platforms For Telecommunications Industry

Alcatel, HP and Others Working with Intel to Deliver Modular Communications Solutions

ATLANTA, June 3, 2003 -- Reflecting the growing momentum within the telecommunications industry for standards-based modular communications building blocks, Intel today announced it is working with Alcatel, HP and others in the industry to deliver modular communications solutions. These solutions are based on industry standards including Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture* (AdvancedTCA) and Rack Mount Servers* (RMS) as well as Intel processors.

Intel also announced it has begun shipping its second generation of carrier-grade telecom server platforms that adhere to strict industry reliability requirements and reflect the company's goal to deliver more affordable and powerful modular technology building blocks to the industry.

Intel-based platforms and solutions from fellow hardware, software and applications companies provide the telecommunications industry the same cost effectiveness, performance, choice and modular design capabilities that are already popular in the enterprise market segment. Resulting solutions will enable carriers and service providers to speed time-to-market for new, revenue-generating services.

At the Supercomm trade show here today, Intel introduced the TIGPR2U carrier-grade server using the Intel® Xeon™ processor at 2.4GHz, the next generation of Intel carrier-grade servers certified with the Network Equipment Building System (NEBS)* specification. These new servers offer the telecommunications industry a standards-based modular server platform for powering both wired and unwired applications. NEBS-certified solutions meet stringent telecom reliability needs to better withstand harsher climates and related disruptive natural occurrences.

As announced today, HP will deliver its high performance, Intel-based cc3310 rack mount server to telecommunication equipment manufacturers (TEMs) and carriers in the third quarter. HP plans to include AdvancedTCA in its portfolio of integrated telecommunications solutions. The AdvancedTCA specification defines a common form factor for developing boards and chassis for telecommunications infrastructure.

"TEMs and carriers are looking for ways to reduce costs while focusing on generating revenues," said Howard Bubb, vice president, general manager Intel Network Processing Group. "By choosing a standards-based modular system from the ecosystem around Intel, TEMs can provide new solutions that will help carriers cut their capital expenditures by up to 35% and decrease their operating expenses by 20-25%**."

Industry leading Modular Server Performance
The TIGPR2U carrier grade server provides two Intel® Xeon™ processors at 2.4 GHz in a 2U rack-mount form factor and is targeted at both enhanced service applications such as unified messaging, wireless messaging, and pre-paid voice service as well as core infrastructure applications such as call routing and switching, element and network management, and wireless Infrastructure. The TIGPR2U is being offered at lower price points than previous generation products, increasing the price/performance advantage.

Alcatel has been using the TIGPR2U server running on the Linux operating system for its Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) Proxy Software architecture. The company worked with the Tolly Group to benchmark the server and validate performance and reliability and the results indicated a significant improvement in performance.

"Alcatel and Intel wanted to work jointly to demonstrate breakthrough technology for the MMS market segment based on Alcatel's Nx Proxy Platform software platform and Intel NEBS-compliant servers and processors. We also wanted to confirm that Alcatel's MMS Proxy software architecture offered the highest performance, availability and robustness, as well as improved scalability and reduced total cost of ownership," said Denis Attal, vice president, Alcatel's Mobile Applications. "Over a series of tests, the Alcatel MMS solution has processed up to 47 MMS per second on each CPU board at a sustained rate with the complete MMS cycle. These results represent an unprecedented breakthrough and sets new industry standards in performance."

Silicon Supports Modular Momentum
In addition to these new NEBs certified servers, Intel offers other modular building blocks for the communications industry including a complete line of network processors. Today, several leading OEMs, including Avici, Samsung and US Robotics, are announcing product developments using Intel network processors.

"By leveraging high-performance, programmable network processors from Intel in our MSC™ Multi-Service Connect linecard platform, Avici was able to quickly deliver this highly flexible platform to enable our customers to converge multiple services such as ATM, frame relay, and IP onto a single highly reliable, high-speed IP/MPLS backbone to eliminate the cost and complexity of parallel backbone networks," said Dr. Chris Gunner, senior vice president of R&D, Avici Systems.

Both Avici and US Robotics will be demonstrating their newly-announced products in their booths at Supercomm. (Avici: #23837, US Robotics #10819)

Intel, Pentium, Xeon, and the IXP family are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

**The Tolly Group