Nortel offers enhanced RUS-listed digital switch

Nortel Networks today announced a series of software enhancements to its DMS-10 digital switch and the return of its SR-10 procurement program, moves that the vendor said were designed to help rural carriers migrate “at their own pace” from circuit switching to the more cost-effective packet switching.

The upgraded software allows carriers to offer additional services such as simultaneous ringing and telemarketer screening. The simultaneous ringing feature routes up to five different residential phone numbers to help reduce missed calls. The telemarketer-screening feature requires callers to assert that they are not telemarketers before the call is completed. In addition, the software supports revenue-generating services such as Find Me, Click to Dial and Budget Toll with Disconnect.

The current version of the DMS-10 was listed with the Rural Utilities Service in December 2002, and all previous versions were listed as well, so Nortel anticipates the newest version also will be listed, said spokeswoman Ann Fuller, who added that RUS rules require a product to be available before it can be listed. Carriers will be able to pre-order the software in July, with deliveries scheduled for October.

That designation makes rural carriers seeking to purchase the DMS-10 eligible for low-interest government loans. The SR-10 procurement program also will assist carriers wishing to purchase the software enhancements. The program allows carriers to purchase three series of enhancements--including the series announced today--at a packaged rate, and carriers will be able to spread the investment over several years. The SR-10 program also offers a 12-month warranty, technical support, patching application, product engineering, installation and start-up.

The DMS-10 and SR-10 are elements of Nortel’s Rural Market Evolution Program, which is the brainchild of Sue Spradley, president of the vendor’s wireline networks group. Other elements include the DMS-100 digital switch and the Optera Metro 3500 next-generation Sonet platform capable of delivering voice, data and video services, as well as two traditional Sonet devices from the TransportNode line. All are RUS listed, said Fuller.

In addition, the program seeks to help rural carriers turn up data services for DSL aggregation using Nortel's Passport multi-service ATM switches and Shasta IP service switches. Nortel is offering rural carriers special pricing, service and support options for these products through the program. "It allows an entry level for smaller operators," Fuller said.

That would be consistent with the program's overall goal, which is to afford rural carriers the same opportunities to provide enhanced services similar to those provided by urban carriers. Nortel has an installed base of 700 service providers using the DMS-10 in North America. While major carriers such as Sprint and Verizon use the DMS-10 to serve their rural customers, most of this installed base consists of rural carriers.

“We want to make sure that they continue to evolve with us and that they see a migration path,” Fuller said.

The enhancements also added several features that Nortel said would help carriers reduce operational costs. They include a new line peripheral that doubles the number of individual digital loop carriers that can be supported; Facility Naming, which allows carriers to label facilities in a more descriptive manner; and Alarm Dispatch, which automatically dispatches technicians in response to carrier-programmable alarms.