Axerra Networks AXN CES Pseudo-Wire Product First Mobile Backhaul Solution Certified by Both MEF and Broadband Forum.

Axerra Certifications Include MEF8/MEF18 Circuit Emulation Services over Ethernet (CESoETH) and MFA8/IP/MPLS23 TDM Circuits over MPLS (TDMoMPLS)

WOODBURY, Conn. -- Axerra Networks, a leading provider of Pseudo-Wire enabled carrier solutions today announced that its AXN portfolio of products have been certified by both the Metropolitan Ethernet Forum (MEF) and the Broadband Forum (BBF). Axerra becomes the first vendor to attain both organizations TDM Circuit Emulation Service (CES) certifications. Support for network synchronization and both channelized (CESoPSN) and unchannelized (SAToP) TDM services were included in the certifications.

"Having the first product to be certified by both the MEF and Broadband Forums is a reflection of Axerra's experience and expertise with Pseudo-Wire based technologies," said Reinhard Florin, General Manager of the Americas, of Axerra Networks. "Axerra was one of the pioneers of Pseudo-Wire based carrier grade solutions and has been an active participant in development of and support for Pseudo-Wire Circuit Emulation standards since our inception."

Axerra's scalable Pseudo-Wire enabled products are being used globally by both Tier 1 and Tier 2 carriers as a mobile backhaul solution to meet the rapidly increasing demand for economical, high speed mobile broadband. When deployed in cell sites and central offices, the Axerra AXN family of transport and switching solutions enable a new era in mobile backhaul by supporting both legacy 2G/3G and next generation 4G services over a common packet network backhaul infrastructure.

"Axerra is to be commended for achieving two significant certifications that address the challenging task of clock recovery over packet networks," said Bob Mandeville, President of Iometrix. "Rigorous tests were performed on a complex test bed to ensure compliance to the Broadband Forum specifications for circuit-based traffic carried over MPLS and also to the MEF specifications for Circuit Emulation Services over Ethernet."

"Operators require readily-deployable MPLS based backhaul solutions today to resolve bandwidth challenges associated with increasing traffic demands," stated George Dobrowski, Chairman & President of the Broadband Forum. "The BBF MPLS in Mobile Backhaul Initiative is dedicated to providing such solutions and participating in the Broadband Forum's Certification Program illustrates Axerra's commitment to implementing compliant MPLS based solutions and services for mobile backhaul. We are pleased to have Axerra successfully participate in the program."

"We are pleased to have Axerra successfully complete the certification test, and congratulate it in passing the rigorous testing," stated Nan Chen, president of the MEF. "As more and more vendors such as Axerra complete the certification, the assurances of performance and interoperability will accelerate the adoption of Carrier Ethernet as a next generation transport solution for mobile backhaul."

The AXN solutions simultaneously enable both wireless and wireline operators to significantly reduce legacy recurring T1 and E1 transport service costs by utilizing the latest generation of high bandwidth packet network services and technologies such as Carrier Ethernet, GPON/EPON, xDSL, HFC, and WiMAX. Axerra's solutions support all generations of mobile networks and Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, and the emerging LTE standards. Axerra's solutions preserve native signaling and features, enable bandwidth sharing, and provide the high-precision clock recovery capabilities that are required for reliable mobile services deployment over a packet network infrastructure. AXN Gateway and Access Devices support Ethernet switching and transport, TDM circuit emulation, and service emulation for Frame Relay, HDLC, and ATM services in a single hardware platform. Axerra's solution controls and adapts to latency, jitter, and packet loss - critical capabilities for reliable mobile backhaul applications.

About Axerra Networks, Inc.

Axerra Networks is the leading provider of circuit emulation and service emulation solutions over packet access networks. Axerra's Pseudo-Wire solutions enable incumbent carriers, competitive service providers, mobile wireless operators, and cable MSOs to extend IP + legacy voice and data services in native format over Ethernet, IP, and MPLS networks. The result is greater operational efficiency, new revenue opportunities, and a smooth migration strategy to a single converged network, without losing any revenue streams from profitable legacy services. For more information, please visit: www.axerra.com.

About the Broadband Forum

The Broadband Forum mission is to develop the full potential of broadband. With the recent union with the IP/MPLS Forum, the Broadband Forum is now the central body for next generation IP network specifications. This organization, comprising around 200 members of most of the world's leading service providers, equipment manufacturers, chip vendors and other key organizations, defines and facilitates next generation networks for local broadband access, mobile backhaul, business services, IPTV, gaming and other applications, and is poised to address further developments as they arise. The Broadband Forum's formal BroadbandSuite[TM] Release Program, Technical Reports and specifications are publicly available at www.broadband-forum.org.

About The MEF

The MEF is a global industry alliance comprising more than 150 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF's mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide. For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at www.metroethernetforum.org.