AG Communications Systems, a joint venture between GTE Corp. and AT&T Corp., has introduced INgage, a new family of intelligent network solutions that promises network efficiency and cost minimization.
Phoenix-based AGCS has been involved with Advanced Intelligent Network development and testing since 1985, the company said. AGCS’ experience with the public switched network and call processing includes hardware design, software development using several languages, manufacturing, product marketing and support and systems integration, said the company.
“The complexion of the public telephone network is changing from large, single-system switches to a number of distributed IN elements using AIN protocols,” AGCS explained. As the protocols evolve, vendors must work quickly and efficiently to keep their capabilities current with competitors, AGCS added. INgage helps providers accelerate deployment while keeping costs at a minimum, AGCS asserted, by offering intelligent network capability and seamlessly connecting with local resources to allow carriers to expand and enhance voice, data and video features.
SNIP, or Service Node Intelligent Peripheral, is a core INgage product. A multi-application platform, SNIP can be configured as an intelligent peripheral or a service node, and communicates with three primary network elements: the service control point, service management system and service switching point. SNIP’s capabilities include voice recognition, interactive voice response and fax store and forward.
In February, AGCS announced it had become a member of Tandem Computer Inc.’s Alliance program. Together, Cupertino, Calif.-based Tandem and AGCS will focus on IN service development and the SNIP platform. As part of Tandem’s Vision Point Solution Center, AGCS will develop and market IN service to wireless and wireline providers worldwide, the companies said. Service development will be targeted at Tandem’s Himalaya Intelligent Network Service product family, using Tandem’s UNIX-based TSCE-2000 service creation environment, AGCS said.
“The user flexibility and object orientation of our collaborative solution will simplify the transition to new and more cost-efficient service standards as our customer’s intelligent networks mature,” commented Steve Sybert, vice president of marketing for Tandem Computer’s Tandem Telecom division.
AGCS also offers a range of INgage services on AT&T’s A-I-Net Service Control Point. AGCS said it plans to partner with other leading telecommunications products suppliers to provide customers with complete multivendor, multiplatform solutions.
AGCS’ history dates back to 1891 when company founder, Albert B. Strowger, invented and patented the world’s first automatic telephone exchange. Fast forwarding to 1955, GTE acquired the company and remained the sole owner until 1989, when AT&T bought 49 percent. Last year the shares shifted to AT&T owning 80 percent and GTE holding 20 percent. In 2004, AT&T will acquire GTE’s remaining share and become 100 percent owner of the company.
AGCS’ operations are separate from those of its two shareholders and does not publicly trade its stock.
The company’s core business in recent years has revolved around its GTD-5 EAX digital switching systems. AGCS applies modified versions of Bell Communications Research Inc.’s AIN Release 1.0 in both systems. GTD-5 EAX systems serve more than 15 million customers in business, industry and government as well as subscribers to the public telephone network, said the company.
