Telco unveils convergence gear

Telco Systems this week rolled out products designed to converge customer voice and data trafiic over IP networks.

The products, called Access211 and EdgetGate CPE GW-232, could aggregate customer traffic over a single access link, either copper or fiber.

Telco Systems describes Access211 as a VoIP gateway with full routing capabilities, eliminating the need for a separate router. It has a 100M bit/sec uplink to connect with either a cable or DSL modem and one to connect to a home PC.

Access211 also has two ports for plugging in traditional analog phones, and can support two phone numbers. Varying levels of voice compression can be turned on to preserve bandwidth or set varying levels of voice quality for which providers could charge different rates.

EdgetGate CPE GW-232 has ports to plug in traditional phones and fax machines. It translates the input to IP and sends it off to the service provider's IP network.

The uplink to the carrier network is a 100M bit/sec Ethernet connection for either copper or fiber cable. The box also has a traditional phone port for connecting to the public phone network in case the power dies or the IP service provider's network fails.

Both devices are available now. Prices depend on the quantities bought, but are about $100 per unit.