For Immediate Release
ATIS 1200 G Street, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005	Contact: Trish Gessner St. Michel Phone: 202-434-8851 E-mail: tstmichel@atis.org www.atis.org

ATIS NIIF “Connects” With VoIP Along Several Lines

August 15, 2005, Washington – The ATIS Network Interconnection Interoperability Forum (NIIF) is addressing a number of important issues related to the interaction of VoIP calls with the PSTN.

As Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks become more pervasive, these priority issues need to be addressed to ensure seamless call handling that meets the equivalent service and reliability customers have come to expect from the legacy PSTN.

Areas of on-going NIIF work with VoIP networks include high-volume call-in situations when VoIP calls interface with the PSTN, such as TV or radio shows; establishing guidelines to efficiently route and rate calls originating from a VoIP phone using the SS7 Jurisdiction Information Parameter (JIP) as a tool; National Security/Emergency Preparedness issues related to Emergency Telecommunication Services; and maintaining high Quality of Service in converging networks.

Companies interested in joining NIIF to work on these topics or introduce new issues can contact Maria Estefania, ATIS Senior Director, at mestefania@atis.org or 202-434-8842.

About NIIF

The Network Interconnection Interoperability Forum (NIIF) provides an open forum to encourage the discussion and resolution, on a voluntary basis, of industry-wide issues associated with telecommunications network interconnection and interoperability that involve network architecture, management, testing and operations and facilitates the exchange of information concerning these topics.

About ATIS

ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 22 industry committees and Incubator Solutions Program. www.atis.org

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