The development project members were dismissed when the nationwide network installation of BS1100, the first VOICEHUB model, was completed. The development of VoIP gateway products moved on to BS1200 — the successor of BS1100 — and a new development project was launched. However, I was to participate in other projects from that point on.

In all honesty, it felt as if the baby I had painfully given birth to was snatched away from me before I had even a chance to raise it. However, VOICEHUB was in good hands. Manager Mr.Matsunuma had taken good care of the succeeding model and did a wonderful job with it.

Research paper selected by ISS

It was the latter half of May 1997, two months after I had moved on to a different project. I heard Department Manager Mr.Okuno who was sitting 20 meters away from me shout, "Really? You're serious?" He was the very person who gave the go sign for the development of VOICEHUB as the Planning Department Manager.

According to Mr. Okuno, it appeared that the entry of the research paper sent to the academic conference ISS (International Switching Symposium) was selected. The call was to notify us that the research paper sent to ISS under the title of "Internet Access Gateway System for Voice Communication" concerning the development concept of VOICEHUB was selected by ISS. From the surprise in Mr. Okuno's voice, I knew this was an unexpected event.

ISS was a symposium of the highest level in the field of communications, a gathering of communication carriers and vendors worldwide. It was held once every three years. The 1997 ISS was to be held in Toronto, Canada.