Sprint launched its migration from a circuit-switched telephone network to a packet network with the replacement of its entire local switching infrastructure in Gardner, Kansas. Sprint will be capable of combining three separate "overlay" networks into a single, ATM network for voice, data and private-line services. Class 5 circuit switches will be replaced using Nortel Networks' Succession Communication Server 2000 superclass softswitches, Succession Multiservice Gateway 4000, Succession Media Gateway 9000, and Nortel Networks Passport 15000 Multiservice Switches. Nortel Networks will be responsible for all delivery, installation and testing of the new packet equipment. Financial terms were not disclosed. In addition to Gardner, Kansas, the locations that are scheduled for conversion to packet switching in 2003 include five towns in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida and Ohio. Sprint estimates a 75% consolidation of host central offices.
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http://www.nortelnetworks.com
- In November 2001, Sprint first announced that Nortel Networks would provide products and services for the conversion of Sprint's Local Telecommunications Division network from digital circuit-switched to next generation packet-switching. At the time, the companies valued the project at US$1.1 billion over a projected four year period. The conversion was expected to consist of an entire network evolution including both Class 4 and Class 5 components to packet utilizing subscriber line over ATM (SloA) technology. A target date of January 2003 was given for the first network conversions.
