Pliant Announces GR-303 Certification

August 3, 2000 --  Pliant Systems announced that it successfully completed GR-303 interoperability testing of its Pliant 3000 Integrated Access Platform with Lucent Technologies' 5ESS AnyMedia Class 5 switch. According to the company, the Pliant 3000 is one of the first integrated access platforms combining TDM and ATM functionality to pass Lucent's testing.

The company says that this marks the second major interoperability certification for the Pliant 3000, which ensures compatibility with the most widely deployed PSTN switching platforms that are used in the CLEC and ILEC markets. This should enable Pliant Systems customers to take full advantage of the integrated voice and data capabilities of the Pliant 3000. Pliant Systems completed Lucent's interoperability testing for GR-303 POTS and ISDN on its first attempt. Call completion rates of 99.99 percent exceeded the requirements for all interfaces under traffic conditions.

The Pliant 3000 Integrated Access Platform combines TDM and ATM switching with copper and fiber transport to deliver voice, data and video services. The company says that it may be deployed as a next generation digital loop carrier, a distributed DSLAM, a multi-service access node or a single integrated access platform in a convergent network.

Designed to relieve the strain on digital loop carrier systems, the Pliant 3000 features an integrated high-capacity TDM and ATM backplane and utilizes a distributed architecture to deliver traditional telephony and emerging high bandwidth services such as ADSL deep into the access network. The Pliant 3000 claims to be "plug and play" without expensive bolt-on hardware, alternative system overlays or diverse management platforms. Also, multiple deployment options should allow the system to fit into existing networks and enable carriers to make the best use of their expensive network facilities.