Big Bend Telephone Places Five System Repeat Order for Taqua's iX7000 Next Generation Class 5 Switch.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2003

Taqua(R), Inc., the market-share leader of next-generation Class 5 packet switching systems and technologies, today announced that Alpine, Texas-based Big Bend Telephone has purchased five additional iX7000s(TM) (formerly branded the OCX(R)) from Taqua.

"We purchased the iX7000s based on its extensive Class 5 feature set, small footprint, and IP capabilities," said Bruce Wood, inside plant manager, Big Bend Telephone. "And our experience with the iX7000 and Taqua's operations team over the last 12 months has been extremely favorable, leading us to the decision to purchase five additional switches. With over 24 years experience providing local telephone service, the iX7000 was by far the easiest switch to install and cutover."

Big Bend, a Local Exchange Carrier that serves 13 exchanges, provides telephony services to a subscriber base located throughout a 17,000 square mile sparsely populated area of rugged terrain in West Texas. In the fourth quarter of 2002, Big Bend purchased two iX7000s from Taqua. One system has been used to replace a Redcom MDX-384 and the remaining switch is being used as an A-link Consolidator. The MDX-384 has been fully decommissioned with all traffic moved to Taqua's iX7000. The second switch was deployed at Big Bend's Calamity Creek local tandem, and has served as an A-Link Consolidator. Using the iX7000 for A-link consolidation, just the circuit and STP port costs alone are saving Big Bend Telephone more than $12,000 per month.

"Over the last 18 months, Taqua has seeded the market by winning business and deploying systems at several prominent ILECs," said Gary Brown, executive vice president of sales for Taqua, Inc. "Big Bend is one of these prominent customers that are now placing repeat orders for multiple systems to complete their network upgrades. These type of orders mark a significant milestone for an emerging company and is a testament to the quality of Taqua and its products."

Procurement of the seven iX7000s has been made possible, in part, with funds secured through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). RUS, a service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides rural utility companies with low-interest financing for the purchase of approved, tested and certified telecommunications equipment.

About Taqua, Inc.

Founded in 1998, Taqua is the market share leader in next-generation telephony systems and technologies. The Company focuses on improving local (ILEC) and competitive (CLEC) exchange carrier deployment and operational costs, while delivering new and differentiated revenue generating broadband services. Taqua offers a complete line of circuit and IP voice switching products and services, including full-featured next-generation packet Class 5 switches, intelligent line access gateways, application servers, line and trunk testing systems, and an element management system. In addition, the Company offers a full suite of professional services including network design and capacity planning, as well as installation and cutover services.

Taqua and OCX are a registered trademarks, and iX7000 is a trademark of Taqua, Inc.