SAN JOSE, Calif. -- January 7, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced that E-Tech, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of data communication and telecommunications equipment, has joined the Cisco NetWorks Program. As a member of the Cisco NetWorks Program, E-tech will create a new family of cable modem products with Voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities.
E-Tech will license Cisco NetWorks Internet technologies to provide high-speed Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication functionality for E-Tech's Integrated Telephony Cable Modems (ITCM). These new world voice-enabled cable modems will provide primary telephony service into a consumer's home in addition to providing high-speed Internet data, voice and video services. The IP telephony services will offer advanced features such as caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding and conferencing, and will support applications like telecommuting, distance learning, VoIP telephony and virtual private networks (VPNs).
As part of the Cisco NetWorks Program, E-Tech will receive engineering support, certification and Cisco NetWorks branding, as well as co-marketing and sales support. E-Tech's ITCM products will be Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)/International Telecommunication Union (ITU) J.112-based, enabling them to interoperate with Cisco's family of Universal Broadband Routers (uBRs) as well as other DOCSIS-compliant Cable Modem Terminal System (CMTS) products. E-Tech's products will have an Ethernet interface that supports an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.Id transparent bridge between the Ethernet and cable ports, and two channels for Foreign Exchange Station (FXS) Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) to support standard phones for primary and secondary lines. The E-Tech ITCM products will also provide Internet Protocol (IP) and Media Access Control (MAC) filtering based on source and destination addresses.
The Cisco uBR product family provides cable operators with a cost-effective, scaleable interface between subscriber cable modems and the backbone data network, and enables them to deliver high-speed, broadband access to the Internet to customers. The uBR is based on the carrier-class stability and functionality of the industry leading Cisco IOS. software, maximizing the efficiency of the network bandwidth utilization, and in turn allowing cable operators to derive higher profits from the same scarce network resources. Together, E-Tech's ITCM product and the Cisco uBR will create an end-to-end solution.
Ben Chan, president of E-Tech, Inc. said, "This alliance provides us with valuable Cisco technology that will allow E-Tech to introduce Voice-over-IP to the marketplace quickly. Cisco's NetWorks Software coupled with our cable modem expertise is a powerful combination that will ultimately benefit the consumer in providing high-speed Internet access and telephony services."
"E-tech is creating a leading edge solution for delivering Voice-over-IP telephony and broadband data to consumers worldwide via hybrid fiber coax networks and high-speed packet switching infrastructures. The combination of Cisco's advanced broadband network infrastructure, distributed middleware fabric and packet voice solutions enable cable operators such as E-Tech to compete as full service providers of information, communications and entertainment," said Paul Bosco, general manager of Cisco's Cable Products and Solutions Business Unit. "Cisco's end-to-end digital data, voice and video solutions will deliver significant operational benefits to E-Tech including reduced capital and operating expenses per subscriber."
Other members of the Cisco NetWorks Program include Sony Electronics, Samsung Telecommunications, ADC Telecommunications, Teldat, Pace Micro Technology and DASSAULT A.T.
Availability
E-Tech will initially deploy the first ITCM product into the residential market through cable operators in the second half of 1999, and will target retail channels in early 2000.About E-Tech Research, Inc.
Founded eleven years ago, E-Tech, Inc. designs and manufactures both consumer grade modems and advanced data communication and telecommunications equipment, addressing a wide range of high-speed fax/modems, cable modems, ISDN, customer premise and transmission equipment. E-Tech products have won awards for quality, innovation and value.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
