February 6, 1998 (TOKYO) -- Ascend Communications Japan K.K. exhibited a prototype of a multimedia multiplexer to link corporate offices at NET & COM '98, an exposition for corporate information systems and networks held Feb. 4-6 at the Makuhari Messe hall in Makuhari, Chiba prefecture.

However, the prototype was covered in a box at Ascend's booth. Inside the box was a device resembling the MAX4000, an access server made by the firm.

Ascend's staff said the product can transmit video data and voice data via an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet and a frame-relay network through links with a local area network (LAN) and a private branch exchange (PBX) in various offices. Users will utilize H.323, Voice over IP and other technologies to transmit video data for a video conference and voice data over a telephone in IP packets, Ascend's staff noted.

At NET & COM '98, the product debuted with the covering because it has not yet been officially unveiled even in the United States. Ascend will commercialize the product as early as the spring.

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(Nikkei Communications)