[November 27, 2001]

TollBridge Announces On-Screen Telephony Technology 

TollBridge Technologies, an IP telephony gateway supplier for multiple systems cable operators (MSO) worldwide will announce an IP-based interactive on-screen-telephony (OST) interface. By using the television as the telephony interface, TollBridge Technologies will allow cable service providers to deliver the an interactive on-screen telephony application to let users make, receive, and manage phone calls from their TVs.

Using the latest in standards-compliant integrated consumer devices, client/server platforms, and IP telephony gateways, TollBridge Technologies will offer this real-time telephony interface for MSOs to provide to their subscriber customers via a standard cable TV setup.

"This demonstration is an excellent way for us to show both MSOs and their subscriber customers how TollBridge is delivering the next-generation VoIP service that can implemented in today's environment in a much more exciting and visual way than common telco service. The OST demonstration enables cable providers to visualize what voice services could actual look like to their end consumer," said Gary Tauss, CEO of TollBridge Technologies.

The OST demonstration will show cable providers how their customers can make and receive voice calls or access their voice-mail using a feature rich graphical user interface. Caller-ID, voice mail, do-not-disturb, tele-pages, and dynamic service provisioning are all controlled via the TV screen and as easy to use as a remote control allowing MSO's to offer flexible and cost-effective service packages above and beyond basic voice. To date, current broadband telephony offerings utilize expensive computerized CPE equipment or proprietary broadband telephones to deliver computer telephony integration. The TollBridge OST approach combines common MTAs and set-top boxes, standard telephones and carrier class service.

By bridging the gap between DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) cable networks and existing telephone networks, TollBridge's TB300 IP Digital Terminal (IPDT) gateway can deliver toll-quality voice services to cable subscribers. Working in conjunction with the TB300, OST has the potential to contribute more new revenue per subscriber to the MSO than any other service, and will significantly reduce subscriber churn. For a minimal investment, MSOs can offer second line services to a 200,000 subscriber region, These investments will allow MSOs to tap into a market that is expected to grow to $6.5 billion in 2005, according to a recent Cahners In-Stat study.

"MSOs see the revenue potential from providing subscribers with premium telephony features and flexible provisioning options. OST demonstrates how these features and options make cable telephony a 'must-have' for subscribers," added Tauss.

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