SCOPE Press Release
Network Equipment Providers Team to Promote Open Specifications and Accelerate Development of Carrier Grade Base Platforms
SCOPE founding companies are Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Nokia and Siemens
Piscataway, New Jersey, January 18, 2006 - Leading network equipment providers Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Nokia and Siemens have launched SCOPE, an industry alliance to accelerate the deployment of carrier grade base platforms for service provider applications. Its mission is to help, enable and promote the availability of open carrier grade base platforms based on Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware / software and free open source software building blocks, and to promote interoperability to better serve Service Providers and consumers.
SCOPE plans to complement the work of several industry initiatives such as PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group, Service Availability Forum, Open Source Development Lab and others that have successfully created high quality open specifications that enable the creation of carrier grade base platforms. SCOPE will not create specifications, but it will establish profiles that enable and encourage the use of COTS and free open source software building blocks based upon open specifications developed by those other industry groups. SCOPE will focus on existing open specifications it believes best meets the needs of Service Providers and identify areas where additional specification work is needed.
”Creating carrier grade profiles will enable the network equipment provider ecosystem to develop and manufacture hardware and software building blocks and platforms with higher volumes, thus lowering costs. Such profiles will serve to create products which include the features that are required by the telecommunications industry to bring high quality and innovative new services to consumers,” said Timo Jokiaho, chairman of SCOPE. “SCOPE membership is open to companies wishing to contribute to this effort.”
SCOPE’s initial activities will be focused on creating profiles for hardware, operating system, base platform middleware and tools suites based on Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA), Carrier Grade Linux, and SA Forum’s interface specifications. SCOPE expects its first profile to be published in Q1 of 2006.
"SCOPE promises to be a very positive collaboration by many of the telecommunication industry leaders - an effort that looks at standards produced by a number of specification bodies and clarifies what is vital to the industry", said Ken Rehbehn, Research Director for Telecom Infrastructure at Current Analysis. Mr. Rehbehn added, "The insight produced by SCOPE should allow the Network Equipment supply chain to focus and accelerate investment in development of commercial off-the-shelf components ready for integration into innovative communication systems."
SCOPE expects to be releasing specification profiles related to carrier grade base platforms in the near future. Up to date information can be found at www.scope-alliance.org
“This alliance is a classic example of an open forum, aiming to better serve its constituents and the consumer,” said Tim Kober president of SA Forum. “It is my opinion that SCOPE will serve to accelerate innovation and increase efficiency.”
SCOPE operates as a program of the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization.
About SCOPE Member Companies
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com
About Ericsson
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world. For more information: www.ericsson.com
About Motorola
Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace and all spaces in between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and information you need, while on the go. Seamless mobility harnesses the power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004. For more information: www.motorola.com
About NEC Europe
A leading global manufacturer and service provider of telecommunication, computer and electronic devices, NEC began business in Europe in the early 1970s. Since then, NEC’s activities have steadily increased to include sales, manufacturing and R&D functions. Today, NEC has 18 consolidated companies, employing approximately 4000 personnel, located across Europe. NEC’s net European sales are in excess of 1 billion euros. For further information on NEC’s European activities, please visit: http://www.neceurope.com
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. For more information: www.nokia.com.
About Siemens
The Siemens Communications Group is one of the largest players in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers a full-line portfolio of innovative solutions for voice and data communication. Its comprehensive offerings range from devices right through to complex network infrastructures and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. It is the largest Group within the Siemens organization and operates in more than 160 countries around the world. In fiscal year 2005 (September 30), its 54,500-strong workforce posted sales of over 13 billion euros. More about Siemens Communications at http://www.siemens.com/communications
Media Contacts
IEEE-ISTO: Peter Lefkin, peter.lefkin@ieee-isto.org, +1 732 562 3802
Alcatel: Stephane Lapeyrade, stephane.lapeyrade@alcatel.com, + 33 (0)1 40 76 12 74
Ericsson: Ericsson Media Relations, press.relations@ericsson.com, +46 8 719 6992
Motorola: Kathi Haas, kathi.haas@motorola.com, +1 480 732 2835
NEC Europe: Chris Shimizu, chris.shimizu@uk.neceur.com, +44-20-8752-2794
Nokia: Americas - Laurie Armstrong, laurie.armstrong@nokia.com, +1 914 368 0423
Nokia Communications Europe – press.office@nokia.com, +358 7180 34900
Siemens: Monika Brücklmeier, monika.bruecklmeier@siemens.com, +49 89 722 39 597
