Northern Telecom Ltd and Shiva Corp reckon that they have identified a gap in the market for Internet access switches, and it is this that lies behind their global development agreement (CI No 2,668), which is intended to result in a new Internet and remote dial-up switch. Details are thin on the ground, but the new product will be aimed at carriers, Internet Service Providers, and major enterprises, and will essentially be a scaled up version of the remote access services in which Shiva currently specialises. It is intended to provide laptop users and telecommuters with dial up access to both their corporate network and the Internet. While Shiva will contribute its remote access expertise, NorTel will put in its wide area network data network and central office switching technologies. The deal between the two covers software support, technology transfer, joint development, and joint sales and marketing. The companies say they are planning specific product announcements in the fourth quarter.
