LoopCare, also known as Mechanized Loop Testing (MLT), is the Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS) test system used universally by the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). Tollgrade intends to combine the LoopCare software with Tollgrade’s DigiTestÒ hardware to create a complete solution for testing today’s POTS services. The LoopCare-DigiTest combination also provides an economical path to support the emerging needs of the digital consumer.
Lucent and Tollgrade have also entered into a supply agreement to provide LoopCare solutions for the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and AnyMedia market.
This acquisition establishes Tollgrade in the preeminent position among POTS test system companies, said Tollgrade Chairman and CEO Chris Allison. We’re growing up from a niche player to an integrated, full-service provider.
Tollgrade and Lucent have worked together since 1998 under a multi-year product development, license, and authorized reseller agreement related to LoopCare and DigiTest. Because the DigiTest hardware is currently interoperable with the LoopCare software, Tollgrade’s complete POTS and DSL test system is immediately available for deployment.
Added Allison, Tollgrade can now offer a much stronger value proposition to Tollgrade and LoopCare customers when it comes to hardware and software testing products. We want to provide not only world-class POTS and consumer-oriented DSL testing capabilities, but evolve LoopCare/MLT so that we can address new challenges, such as digital voice testing. Merging Tollgrade’s reputation for strong customer service and value-driven pricing with the innovation and testing expertise of our new staff of former Bell Labs developers creates a very compelling system offering. We’ll help our RBOC customers take care of traditional POTS testing needs through modernization so that they are ready to solve new network problems. And we’ll market our combined system both domestically and internationally with an open-minded partnership approach directed toward not only customers and transmission system partners but even companies once thought to be our competitors.
SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
