ERICY LM Ericsson Telephone (MM)

Local competitors are likely to deploy multiservice access platforms in response to new FCC rules governing unbundled network elements, says Heavy Reading NEW YORK, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S.-based CLECs are expected to increase their deployment of multiservice access platforms (MSAPs) to build out their broadband access networks in coming months, as FCC rule changes regarding unbundled network elements (UNEs) go into effect, according to a major new report issued today by Heavy Reading (http://www.heavyreading.com/), Light Reading Inc.'s market research division. "MSAPs: A Heavy Reading Competitive Analysis" presents the most detailed, comprehensive competitive analysis undertaken to date of MSAPs, which are fast emerging as an important class of access equipment enabling the delivery of broadband services to business and residential customers. In key product categories, it provides granular information on every important aspect of functionality and performance of each vendor's offering, in matrix format. It then uses a weighted system to provide a high-level view of which MSAPs represent the best overall choice for different applications. The 87-page report delivers a concise analysis of the emerging worldwide market for MSAPs and analyzes 44 different MSAP products from 21 major manufacturers, including market leaders Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGEP.PA), Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY), Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU), Nokia (NYSE:NOK), Siemens (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE), and UTStarcom (NASDAQ:UTSI). Products are compared on dozens of criteria, including equipment size and specifications, support for Ethernet connectivity, quality of service (QOS) features, and support for legacy services, among others. The report also profiles access strategies for nine other equipment vendors, including suppliers of IP DSLAM products. "As a result of the December 2004 FCC decision to end the UNE-P [unbundled network element - platform] rules, CLECs using UNE-P will have to renegotiate rates with incumbents after March 2006, or find an alternative solution to delivering broadband service," notes Graham Beniston, Analyst at Large for Heavy Reading and author of the report. "The most likely outcome is that CLECs will become facilities-based service providers. This will favor the deployment of MSAPs by CLECs, as they will need to offer a bundle of services, including voice and video, to compete with the incumbents." Other key findings from "MSAPs: A Heavy Reading Competitive Analysis" include the following: Most RFPs issued by network operators now specify MSAPs rather than IP DSLAMs. While DSL improvements and Ethernet aggregation features are being completed, the big thrusts in IP DSLAM product development are to turn those products into multiservice platforms. This includes adding VOIP, POTS, legacy voice and data service handling, and FTTx OLTs to the basic DSLAM functions. UTStarcom's iAN-8000 was the top scorer among central-office MSAPs, arguably the most important of the MSAP product categories. Alcatel's 7302 ISAM finished a close second to UTStarcom, followed by ZTE's ZXDSL 9800, Alcatel's 1640 Litespan, and Iskratel's SI 2000 MSAN. "MSAPs: A Heavy Reading Competitive Analysis," an 87-page report, costs $3,495 and is published in PDF, with accompanying product analysis tables provided in Excel format. The price includes an enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser's company. For more information, or to request a free executive summary, contact: Dave Williams Sales Director, Heavy Reading 858-485-8870 Press/analyst contact: Dennis Mendyk Managing Director, Heavy Reading 201-587-2154 About Heavy Reading Heavy Reading is an independent market research organization offering quantitative analysis of telecom technology to service providers, vendors, and investors. Its mandate is to provide the comprehensive competitive analysis needed today for the deployment of profitable networks based on next- generation hardware and software. DATASOURCE: Heavy Reading CONTACT: Dave Williams, Sales Director, +1-858-485-8870, or , or Press-analyst contact, Dennis Mendyk, Managing Director, +1-201-587-2154, or , both of Heavy Reading Web site: http://www.heavyreading.com/

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