Since Europe is a collective body of multiple nations, ISDN was adopted as a uniform interface for communication devices and so was quite popular. Although BS1200 supported two types of analog interfaces, FXS (conventional telephone interface) and OD (dedicated line interface), there was a need to develop a new and different interface for use as a gateway in Europe. This was the BRI interface, which is the basic rate of ISDN.

This raised new problems that required development of a digital interface. The requested delivery was April 1999. In other words, we had about four months from development to delivery-extremely short to say the least. As if to further add to my challenge, I accepted the job. A person who had no idea would have seen it as a reckless deed.

"If there is the need, create it"

The reason why I decided to accept the challenge was because I didn't want to lose the opportunity of expanding the VoIP gateway market that had been carefully created and built. I always kept in mind that if there is the need, we should create it regardless of the region, in order to win recognition in the industry by further opening the VoIP market.

At the time, the development of core technology was reaching completion as time passed. And the members in charge of lineup, including myself, could not say "no" since we were starting to feel our job changing from a mission to an obligation. There was also pride in the fact that we developed the first VoIP gateway in Japan, and we wanted to try the potential of VoIP technology we have created in an unknown territory: the European market.

Nevertheless, the development period was simply too short. What pushed me beyond my limits was the passion and performance of my fellow team members.