Cable MSOs can perform true voice-channel service quality testing
throughout the HFC to Tollgrade PacketCable(TM)-based transponders and
End-of-Line probes, now featuring embedded VoIP responder technology from
Minacom.
PITTSBURGH and MONTREAL, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tollgrade
Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLGD), a leading supplier of network service
assurance products, and Minacom, the leading VoIP test solution provider
for Cable MSOs, announced today a strategic alliance to deliver advanced,
integrated testing solutions for VoIP over cable networks. These VoIP
testing solutions will be deployed on Tollgrade's recently-released
End-of-Line (EOL) probes and its widely deployed DOCSIS(R)-based Status
Monitoring Cheetah(R) Transponders that will now feature embedded Minacom
VoIP testing technology, allowing the Tollgrade units to act as responders
for test calls placed by the Minacom probes. Using Minacom's Patent-Pending
softswitch integration, tests are conducted over actual PacketCable(TM)
Dynamic Quality of Service (DQoS) voice channels, providing true
user-perceived VoIP service quality testing throughout the hybrid fiber /
coax (HFC) network.
An industry first, the integrated remote-testing solution can
significantly reduce the time required to identify, isolate and diagnose
VoIP service issues, while also providing proactive, real-time monitoring
to detect service level degradation before quality issues affect
subscribers. Test automation, results analysis, service level
classification, fault management and reporting are controlled by Minacom's
DirectQuality(R) R7 web-based OSS, already deployed by over 70 service
providers worldwide.
Test calls use Minacom's award-winning VoIP testing technology to
measure over 40 service quality measurements including speech quality
(MOS), speech power, loss, distortion, clipping and noise, call
connectivity metrics such as Post Dial Delay (PDD), as well as dual-tone
multi-frequency (DTMF / Touch Tone) transparency. Minacom's PowerProbes can
be co-located with Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS), or installed in
the IP or PSTN segments of a PacketCable network. Tollgrade's Cheetah CMD-P
transponders are "Verified for Interoperability" with CableLabs(R)'
PacketCable 1.0 specification and respond to and initiate PowerProbe test
calls using an embedded E-MTA emulator.
The strategic alliance between Tollgrade and Minacom will focus on
further developing and co-marketing integrated triple-play, service level
test solutions for Cable MSOs and Telcos, helping them to provide the best
possible VoIP, digital Video, and Internet services to their subscribers.
"Minacom service level automation solutions are based on true user-
perceived service quality testing, allowing Cable MSOs to provision,
monitor and troubleshoot large-scale VoIP deployments with the confidence
that subscribers will enjoy the very best service quality from
day-of-install onward. Tollgrade's integration of Minacom technology into
their products allows operators to leverage this extensive test visibility
throughout the HFC plant - where problems are most likely to occur and are
most difficult to detect," commented Michel Nadeau, President & CEO of
Minacom. "Tollgrade and Minacom solutions are widely deployed in leading
Cable and Telco networks worldwide. By working together, we can effectively
offer innovative test solutions that help our customers provision,
troubleshoot and maintain large- scale VoIP deployments."
"Tollgrade's Cheetah Cable Solution is an industry first, integrating
HFC, DOCSIS and PacketCable VoIP fault/performance data into a single
system, instrumenting the HFC plant to test and measure the true customer
experience. This unique multi-layered capability and VoIP test integration
with Minacom provides a critical element of our customers' installation and
maintenance processes for cable broadband services," said Mark Peterson,
Tollgrade's President & CEO.
Tollgrade network service assurance solutions will be featured at the
SCTE CableTec EXPO on June 20-23, 2006 at its display area Booth # 593.
Minacom test solutions will be displayed at Booth #1931. Both companies
will be conducting live demonstrations of their integrated test solutions.
About Minacom
Minacom builds Service Level Test Systems for Telcos and Cable MSOs,
and Internet Telephony Service Providers. Minacom's automated test systems
help maintain the integrity and quality of large-scale multi-service
deployments, including Voice, VoIP, IPTV, Caller ID, Voicemail,
Conferencing, Fax, Dial-Up Modem, Video Conferencing, and IP Services from
Ping and DNS to Audio & Video RTP Streaming.
Minacom systems are web-controlled by a centralized server platform
that integrates years of operational experience into test setups, test
strategies and result analysis rules used by over 70 operators worldwide
including AT&T, Comcast, France Telecom, Liberty Global, Primus, Orange,
Clearwire, VSNL and Bellsouth, as well as softswitch manufacturers such as
Siemens, Cedar Point and Ericsson. Experience Minacom's QoS test automation
live at http://www.minacom.com/try .
About Tollgrade
Tollgrade Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of network service
assurance products and services for centralized test systems around the
world. Tollgrade designs, engineers, markets and supports centralized test
systems, test access and status monitoring products, and next generation
network assurance technologies for the broadband marketplace. Tollgrade's
customers range from the top RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies) and
Cable providers, to numerous independent telecom, cable and broadband
providers around the world. Tollgrade's network testing, measurement and
monitoring solutions support the infrastructure of cable and telecom
companies offering current and emerging triple play services. Tollgrade,
headquartered near Pittsburgh in Cheswick, Pa., and its products and
customer reach span over 200 million embedded access lines, more than any
other test and measurement supplier. For more information, visit
Tollgrade's web site at http://www.tollgrade.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
Tollgrade cautions readers that the foregoing release contains "forward
looking statements" regarding future events or results within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements
concerning the launch of new product interoperability and the effectiveness
of such products. Tollgrade cautions readers that such "forward looking
statements" are, in fact, predictions that are subject to risks and
uncertainties and that actual events or results may differ materially from
those anticipated events or results expressed or implied by such forward
looking statements. Tollgrade disclaims any current intention to update
these "forward looking statements," and the estimates and assumptions
within them, at any time or for any reason. In particular, the following
factors, among others could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in the "forward looking statements:" (a) possible
unforeseen delays in the deployment of these technologies; (b) inability to
maintain interoperability among the Tollgrade and Minacom products; (c)
inability to maintain "Verified for Interoperability" status of Tollgrade's
CMD-P transponders due to technical modifications that may be required in
the future which might require that the products be resubmitted, which
status is not in such event guaranteed; (d) inability to protect
Tollgrade's intellectual property from infringement or the possibility that
Tollgrade technology infringes upon the intellectual property rights of
others, adversely affecting Tollgrade's ability to market and sell such
technology; and (e) Tollgrade's dependence upon a limited number of third
parties manufacturing our products or specific technology incorporated into
our products. Other factors that could cause actual events or results to
differ materially from those contained in the "forward looking statements"
are included in Tollgrade's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") including, but not limited to, Tollgrade's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2005 and any subsequently filed reports.
All documents are also available through the SEC's Electronic Data
Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system at http://www.sec.gov or from Tollgrade's
website at http://www.tollgrade.com.
Cheetah is a trademark of Tollgrade, Inc. Minacom, Simplifying Service
Assurance, DirectQuality, DirectCare, DirectReach and PowerProbe are
registered trademarks of Minacom Labs, Inc. CableLabs, PacketCable and
DOCSIS are trademarks of CableLabs. All other trademarks used in this
document are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Tollgrade Communications, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.tollgrade.com
http://www.minacom.com/try/
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050603/CLF046LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/849775.html/
CONTACT:
Bob Butter of Tollgrade, Corporate
Communications, +1-412-820-1347, +1-412-736-6186, or
bbutter@tollgrade.com; or Scott Sumner of Minacom, Director of
Marketing, +1-514-380-5533, or ssumner@minacom.com
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