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IP.Access selects Adax to help link its all-IP GSM/GPRS to legacy systems.

FR Converter enables direct connection into legacy GPRS networks.Adax the industry leader in high performance communications and signaling infrastructure, has been chosen by ip.access to provide its HDC-PCI board and Frame Relay (FR) software for ip.access' FR Converter. Available alongside ip.access' GSM nanoBTS and Circuit BSC products, this unit converts Frame Relay data between Ethernet IP and standard Gb-over-FR formats. This enables Mobile Network Operators to link directly to legacy GPRS networks. The system will allow network operators to extend their service offerings to areas of traditionally poor coverage and offer wireless office and public space solutions, that will lead to increased revenue opportunities.The FR Converter includes the Adax HDC-PCI protocol controller and Frame Relay software which have been integrated with the Network Services (NS) and higher layer software from Hughes Software Systems (HSS). When connected to the ip.access nanoBTS, this delivers GPRS services to mobile subscribers while integrating with minimum effort and expense to the existing operator SGSN. Using IP to distribute a conventional Gb over FR interface dovetails neatly into existing GPRS systems. Operators can extend their GPRS coverage quickly and efficiently into those hard-to-reach, but high value hot spot locations."The FR Converter will enable operators to extend the functionality and reach of their network" said Robin Kent, Director of European Operations, Adax Europe Ltd. "The interface is designed to be completely scalable and allows the deployment to grow as the network size and number of subscribers/cells increase. As with all our products, this joint offering will protect our customer's investment"."We chose the pre-integrated solution from Adax and HSS because it was unique in the marketplace," said Nick Johnson, Chief Technical Officer, ip.access Ltd. "Additionally, the solution provides a software platform for us to add value in the management and throughput of the network."

The Adax HDC-PCI card is a high performance controller for wireless, wireline and converging PSTN/IP network platforms. This high density, multiple protocol, channelised controller has support for both traditional SS7 and SIGTRAN protocols for SS7 over IP, making it the ideal product for Signaling Gateways and Media Gateway Controllers, and SGSN and GGSNs, MSC and BSS nodes in GPRS networks. The HDC-PCI provides 128 DSO connections over 4 T1/E1 links per slot and multiple cards can support up to 2048 Frame Relay channels and thousands of DLCI's per system. This provides a completely scalable Gb interface solution and enables large numbers of BSSs to be connected to a single SGSN.