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Digi International to Provide CompactPCI Communications Adapters for Tropico S.A. Carrier Switches
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999--
New DataFire Adapters Embedded in Tropico Switches Help Brazil
Manage Exploding Internet Traffic Growth
Digi International Inc. (NASDAQ: DGII) today announced a multi-million dollar, multi-year agreement to embed its new CompactPCI-based DataFire communications adapters into telecommunications carrier switches developed and manufactured by Brazil-based Tropico Systems and Telecommunications SA. Tropico provides a third of the digital switches installed in Brazil, which together connect over five million phone lines.
The DataFire adapters, based on Houston TechnologyTM, will reside
in a module built into the Tropico-RA central office switch, where
they control all incoming Internet-bound calls to a high-speed network
interconnecting Brazil's Internet service providers (ISPs). Digi's
products will be incorporated into upgrades of 400 existing switches
currently in use and also will be built into new switches.
Supporting Internet Growth in Developing Countries
John Schinas, Digi's Chief Executive Officer , said Digi's
adapters will help Brazilian carriers separate voice and data calls.
"In Brazil, Internet traffic is growing over 100 percent a year and
that growth is compounded by the recent privatization of the
telecommunications sector," he said. "To grow the economy, you need an
Internet-ready telecommunications infrastructure, and Tropico will
deliver that. We think this model can work in other emerging markets
as well."
Tropico is using Digi's CompactPCI-based DataFireDSP 30/60 access
concentrator together with the DataFire SYNC/2000 cPCI synchronous WAN
adapter. The standards-based adapters help Tropico-RA call processing
identify incoming traffic as either voice or data and direct the calls
to a traditional TDM trunk or to an IP network.
"We have selected Digi for this development because of our strong
existing relationship and because of their solid technical expertise
with voice and data integration," said Americo Richieri, president of
Tropico. "We believe the resulting developments will further
strengthen the capabilities of the Tropico-RA switch and will enhance
its attractiveness to the global telecommunications market."
Open CompactPCI Standard Gains Strength
Switch makers such as Tropico are attracted to CompactPCI (cPCI)
products over traditional desktop PCI boards because they are more
reliable and scalable. The cPCI standard supports hot swapping and is
more robust and extensible so more boards can be installed in a single
chassis (often eight). CompactPCI also provides support for the H.110
supplementary bus standard, which is more advanced than the
traditional MVIP and SCSA standards.
Digi is unveiling both cPCI DataFire adapters at the Networld +
Interop trade show this week in Atlanta. They complement Digi's
existing line of PCI-based AccelePort and DataFire access adapters,
which provide digital and analog connectivity for open-server remote
access, faxing, routing, and other communications applications running
on Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX, and Linux.
About Digi International
Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII), based in Minneapolis, is a
leading worldwide provider of voice and data communications hardware
and software that delivers seamless connectivity solutions for open
systems, server-based remote access and LAN markets. The company
markets its products through a global network of distributors and
resellers, system integrators and original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs). For more information, visit Digi's Web site at www.digi.com or
call 1-800-344-4273 (U.S.) or (612) 912-3444 (International).
About Tropico SA
Tropico Systems and Telecommunications SA, based in Campinas,
Brazil, is a supplier of telecommunication products and solutions in
Brazil with over five million lines of its technology sold,
corresponding to 30 percent of all digital central offices for public
telephony in the country. Its main product, named Tropico RA, is a
central office switch that ranges from small to very high capacity,
and is able to support 100,000 subscribers. The company markets its
products directly and can be contacted by phone at +55-19-707-3977 or
fax at +55-19-707-3779. For more information, visit Tropico's Web site
at www.tropicosa.com.br.
Digi, Digi International, the Digi logo, and DataFire are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Digi International Inc. in the
United States and other countries. All other brand names and product
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
--30--bh/ny* CONTACT: Digi International S. Krishnan 612-912-3125 s.krishnan@digi.com or Digi International Chris Chilton 612-912-3111 chris.chilton@digi.com or TSI Communications Gary Baker 212-696-2000 gbaker@tsicomm.com KEYWORD: MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BANKING INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET