Multimedia Communication Solution Delivers Advanced Applications for Customer Voice and Data Networks

ATLANTA, /PRNewswire/ BellSouth is expanding its support of
voice and data convergence by providing advanced multimedia communications for
customers with the Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 from Nortel.
This new customer premises equipment solution complements voice and data
communications consolidation by delivering innovative collaboration and
productivity applications to the desktop.

«Customers are consolidating voice and data networks for added
efficiencies and capabilities, realized by new applications over secure,
reliable transport,» said Joan Kratz — vice president, BellSouth Business
Marketing. «This new solution supports applications that bring tangible value
to emerging technologies like voice over IP.»

Central Piedmont Community College, located in Charlotte, is the largest
community college in North Carolina, offering over 100 degree and
certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused
continuing education, and special interest classes. The school is in the
process of migrating its voice and data network and was hesitant to invest
additional capital on its legacy voice equipment.

«BellSouth showed us how we could seamlessly integrate the Nortel MCS 5100
into our network, providing the support the school needs without demanding
significant re-investment in hardware. Our faculty and staff are more
productive and efficient by using the teleconference, collaboration, and
presence applications that it offers,» said Celese Ward — manager,
Instructional Technology Services, Central Piedmont Community College. «In
fact, our ultimate goal is to make these features available to the student
body, and to deploy the video applications as well.»

The customer premises equipment operates on a SIP-based platform (Session
Initiation Protocol -- the protocol used to enable next-generation
applications) and supports a comprehensive list of advanced multimedia
applications. Customized call management and advanced routing capabilities
allow greater mobility by providing users with anytime accessibility, from
almost any device. Enhanced collaboration is made possible through sharing
services such as file exchange, Web pushing and white boarding. With Meet-Me
Media Conferencing, Video Conferencing, and messaging capabilities like
Instant Messaging (IM), every call can be turned into a productive multi-party
work session. While the MCS 5100 supports the convergence of voice and data
networks, it can be deployed in a traditional, TDM (time division
multiplexing) environment as well, bringing the features, benefits and
applications associated with IP to customers not yet ready for full migration.

«By deploying the Nortel IP multimedia solution, BellSouth’s customers
will be able to collaborate in the manner best-suited for their circumstances,
whether via videoconferencing, voice, IM or text messaging across the most
convenient media for end-users -- with high reliability. Adherence to SIP-
based industry standards means this solution is designed to accommodate
current and future applications in a multi-vendor environment, which is
critical for enterprises seeking a hosted IP multimedia solution,» said
Malcolm Collins — president, Enterprise Networks, Nortel.

The Nortel Multimedia Communications Server 5100 delivers voice, call
management, desktop video calling, collaboration tools, video capabilities
with multi-point video conferencing, Instant Messaging capabilities and Web
application collaboration that allows applications and documents to be shared
in real time.

About BellSouth

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company
headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and a parent company of Cingular Wireless,
the nation’s largest wireless voice and data provider.

Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most
comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in
the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business
customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial up and
high speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless
service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long
distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and
directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real
Yellow Pages(R).

More information about BellSouth can be found
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