Cascade Communications and MCI Partner to Provide High-Performance SMDS Service

Strategic Insights -

Cascade Communications Corp. has been selected by MCI to provide a high-performance SMDS (Switched Multimegabit Data Service) switching solution for MCI's nationwide SMDS service offering. This partnership will allow MCI to provide fast and easy access to its HyperStream SMDS service, which is the only SMDS service offered by an interexchange carrier (IXC). The solution will utilize Cascade switches, including the B-STDX, to provide direct connect service to HyperStream SMDS via DXI (Data Exchange Interface) connections.

Key Takeaways:

  • MCI will use Cascade switches to provide scalability and fast access to its HyperStream SMDS service, the only SMDS service offered by an IXC.
  • The partnership will allow MCI to provide direct connect service to HyperStream SMDS via DXI connections, offering speeds ranging from DS0 (56/64 Kbps) up to 10 Mbps.
  • HyperStream SMDS provides simplified and economical high-speed wide area communications for MCI customers, as well as customers accessing MCI's service offering via the SMDS services of local providers.
  • Cascade Communications is the pioneer of multiservice WAN switches and a global provider of wide area networking products for the enterprise and public carrier network markets.
  • The company's STDX and B-STDX multiservice WAN switches offer the highest scalability and network capacity in the industry.
  • According to International Data Corporation, the U.S. market for SMDS is predicted to grow from $4.5 million in 1994 to $43 million by 1998.
  • Vertical Systems Group predicts that the worldwide market for SMDS will grow to $121 million over the same time period.
  • MCI will deploy Cascade B-STDX 9000 switches in 15 cities nationwide by the end of 1995.
  • Cascade's B-STDX 9000 multiservice WAN switch is the first in the industry to support frame relay, SMDS, and ATM on a single platform.

Statistics:

  • $4.5 million: The U.S. market for SMDS in 1994, according to International Data Corporation.
  • $43 million: The U.S. market for SMDS predicted by 1998, according to International Data Corporation.
  • $121 million: The worldwide market for SMDS predicted by 1998, according to Vertical Systems Group.
  • 15 cities: MCI's planned deployment of Cascade B-STDX 9000 switches by the end of 1995.
  • 16 slots: The B-STDX 9000 multiservice WAN switch is a 16-slot, fully-redundant switch.
  • 56 Kbps: The minimum speed for DXI connections offered by MCI's HyperStream SMDS service.
  • 10 Mbps: The maximum speed for DXI connections offered by MCI's HyperStream SMDS service.

Sources:

  • Cascade Communications Corp. press release, September 11, 1995
  • International Data Corporation
  • Vertical Systems Group
  • MCI Communications
  • C. David Sutton, Cascade Investor Relations
  • Maureen Liberty, Vice President, Marketing, Neva Group Inc.
  • Bob Machlin, Cascade Communications Corp.
  • Patty Anderson, Neva Group Inc.
  • Business Wire