1stel Deploys Taqua's OCX Next-Generation Voice Switching Platform; Taqua's OCX Will Enable Texas-Based Carrier to Provide Facilities-Based Voice Services.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2003

Taqua, Inc., a leading provider of next-generation voice switching technologies, today announced that 1stel, a Cleburne, Texas-based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) has deployed the OCX, replacing a switch it had previously installed from another next-generation switching vendor. 1stel is utilizing the OCX as the cornerstone technology in its network in order to increase its subscriber base throughout the state of Texas.

Taqua's OCX, the only field-proven next generation Class 5 switch, exceeded 1stel's strict requirements for five "9s" reliability, became the logical choice and has rapidly been deployed by 1stel at its Texas operations center.

With the OCX deployed, 1stel is now offering a full suite of enhanced, revenue-generating Class 5 business services to its subscribers. In addition, 1stel is utilizing the OCX to replace costly PRI circuits with SS7 trunks to terminate Internet dialup traffic, resulting in reduced facilities costs for the carrier.

The OCX allows carriers to extend voice services into new regions in a scalable and cost-effective manner, thereby enabling carriers to increase top line revenue and profits. For instance, the OCX scales from 40 to 40,000 subscribers in a single 17" X 24" shelf, enabling carriers to "pay as they grow," providing profitable voice services upon initial deployment. In addition, the compact footprint and conservative resource requirements of the OCX make it practical for installation in ILEC collocation spaces, MTUs or any site with a controlled environment.

Primary factors in 1stel's decision to purchase and deploy the OCX also included the switch's stability and performance at dozens of service providers throughout North America, compelling economics, full-featured business and residential calling features and the smooth migration to packet technologies.

"After evaluating several next-generation voice switching technologies, and putting them through real-world operational scenarios, we've finally found a robust next-generation Class 5 switching solution that met our complex requirements - Taqua's OCX," said Douglas Bowyer, 1stel's president. "We have been very impressed with the OCX performance, as well as the top-notch customer support and service offered by Taqua. My advice to other carriers who are considering deploying a next-generation voice switching technology is to conduct comprehensive due diligence on the vendor and the product, as well as ensure that there is a field-proven installed base, as promises are not reality. We've have learned many valuable lessons over the past 18 months, though, in the end, we were fortunate to have found a next-generation voice switching platform that exceeded our feature requirements, was field-proven, and provided by a company as customer-focused as Taqua.

"1stel is a prime example of how the CLEC business model can be profitable and successful through the deployment of a next-generation Class 5 switching solution such as Taqua's OCX," said Jody Bennett, vice president, marketing, Taqua, Inc. "The cost-effective, feature-rich and field-hardened OCX, which empowers carriers to establish facilities-based operations, is an enabling technology that will ensure the current and future success of CLECs."

About Taqua, Inc.

Taqua, Inc., is a privately held telecommunications company that offers Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) with a state-of-the-art Next Generation Class 5 switching platform. Established in February of 1998, Taqua was founded with a mission to develop an efficient, scalable and economical alternative to traditional telecommunications voice solutions. Headquartered in the "Heart of Telecom Corridor" in Richardson, Texas, with offices throughout North America, Taqua is lead by an experienced team of telecom veterans from Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks, Alcatel, Siemens, Bell Labs, Ascend Communications and Texas Instruments.

Currently, Taqua has secured customers spanning North America, accelerating the global service provider adoption for next-generation voice switching solutions. Taqua's OCX is the first next-generation Class 5 switch to receive Rural Utilities Service (RUS) listing from the U.S. government, thereby allowing LECs to Obtain low-interest loans to purchase and deploy the OCX.

Taqua, OCX and The Voice of Next Generation Networks are Trademarks of Taqua, Inc.