Cirpack
Encyclopedia
Cirpack develops local exchange
and transit switches for telecom operators to deliver all the primary line voice services over legacy TDM networks as well as new broadband
local loop
s using VoIP protocols.
Cirpack switches started to be developed in 1997 as an R&D
project within alternative operator Kaptech (acquired by LDCOM now part of the SFR Group). At this time, market deregulation
stimulated the founding of many telecom operators looking for TDM Class-4 and Class-5 switch alternatives. Cirpack was the first voice switch on the market to use off-the-shelves hardware and open-source software
to replicate the features of old proprietary switches at a fraction of the costs.
Cirpack was founded in 1999 as a spinoff of Kaptech and was acquired by Thomson SA
in April 2005. In 2003, Cirpack enabled the Triple Play
revolution in France by adding VoIP support on its voice switches. The reliability and scalability of the Cirpack platforms enabled Free.fr to launch the first primary line VoIP services in Europe and change the consumer broadband market for ever. In 2004, all other French alternative operators deployed Cirpack switches to deliver broadband telephony services as well. By 2005, about 4 million French households were relying on Cirpack platforms for their primary line telephony services.
Today, over 120 telecom operators in 35 countries on 3 continents are using Cirpack switches for maintaining legacy POTS and ISDN services, deploying broadband telephony, offering IP Centrex and Fixed-Mobile Convergence services, connecting value added services platforms to the PSTN and managing their long distance traffic over TDM or IP networks. The Cirpack platform also enables them to smoothly migrate to an IMS core and application architecture.
Local exchange carrier
Local Exchange Carrier is a regulatory term in telecommunications for the local telephone company.In the United States, wireline telephone companies are divided into two large categories: long distance and local...
and transit switches for telecom operators to deliver all the primary line voice services over legacy TDM networks as well as new broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
local loop
Local loop
In telephony, the local loop is the physical link or circuit that connects from the demarcation point of the customer premises to the edge of the carrier or telecommunications service provider's network...
s using VoIP protocols.
Cirpack switches started to be developed in 1997 as an R&D
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
project within alternative operator Kaptech (acquired by LDCOM now part of the SFR Group). At this time, market deregulation
Deregulation
Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or...
stimulated the founding of many telecom operators looking for TDM Class-4 and Class-5 switch alternatives. Cirpack was the first voice switch on the market to use off-the-shelves hardware and open-source software
Open-source software
Open-source software is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.Open...
to replicate the features of old proprietary switches at a fraction of the costs.
Cirpack was founded in 1999 as a spinoff of Kaptech and was acquired by Thomson SA
Thomson SA
Technicolor SA , formerly Thomson SA and Thomson Multimedia, is a French international provider of solutions for the creation, management, post-production, delivery and access of video, for the Communication, Media and Entertainment industries. Technicolor’s headquarters are located in Issy les...
in April 2005. In 2003, Cirpack enabled the Triple Play
Triple play (telecommunications)
In telecommunications, triple play service is a marketing term for the provisioning of two bandwidth-intensive services, high-speed Internet access and television, and a less bandwidth-demanding service, telephone, over a single broadband connection. Triple play focuses on a combined business...
revolution in France by adding VoIP support on its voice switches. The reliability and scalability of the Cirpack platforms enabled Free.fr to launch the first primary line VoIP services in Europe and change the consumer broadband market for ever. In 2004, all other French alternative operators deployed Cirpack switches to deliver broadband telephony services as well. By 2005, about 4 million French households were relying on Cirpack platforms for their primary line telephony services.
Today, over 120 telecom operators in 35 countries on 3 continents are using Cirpack switches for maintaining legacy POTS and ISDN services, deploying broadband telephony, offering IP Centrex and Fixed-Mobile Convergence services, connecting value added services platforms to the PSTN and managing their long distance traffic over TDM or IP networks. The Cirpack platform also enables them to smoothly migrate to an IMS core and application architecture.