Convergent Networks' Switching Platform Completes Telcordia OSMINE Process for TIRKS System.

Business/Technology Editors

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2002

Convergent Networks' ICS2000(TM) Broadband Switch

Interoperates Seamlessly in Large Carrier Networks

Convergent Networks, a leading provider of broadband voice infrastructure solutions, today announced that its award-winning ICS2000 broadband switch has successfully completed the Telcordia(TM) Technologies, Inc., OSMINE(TM) Services process for the TIRKS(R) Operations Support System (OSS). As a result, the ICS2000 has achieved interoperability with multi-vendor incumbent service provider networks.

Eighty percent of the U.S. telecommunications networks depend on OSS software developed and maintained by Telcordia, including the majority of local exchange carriers. The OSMINE Services process signifies to carriers that there is network equipment compatibility and interoperability with Telcordia OSSs. This helps to ensure operations systems automation, a requirement to provide Operations, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning (OAM&P) of services in a timely fashion and on a volume basis.

"Having completed the OSMINE process for the TIRKS OSS, Convergent Networks can extend its industry-leading products to incumbent service providers and provide them with a seamless migration path from legacy equipment to next-gen technology," said Sally Bament, vice president of marketing, Convergent Networks. "When large incumbent carriers deploy the ICS2000 switch in their networks, they have the assurance that our switch interoperates seamlessly and easily with their operations systems, which is a critical milestone for us."

"As Telcordia OSSs are deployed in the world's leading service providers, we are pleased that Convergent Networks completed the OSMINE process for TIRKS because it shows that the company is committed to interoperating with carriers that deploy industry-standard OSSs," said Dennis Tinley, vice president, Customer Solutions, Telcordia Technologies.

The ICS2000 broadband switch offers carrier-class switching and interworking between traditional circuit-switched networks and next-generation broadband networks. Deployed today in more than a dozen carrier networks, the ICS2000 broadband switch is a proven economical alternative to traditional circuit switch equipment for service providers seeking to deliver packet voice and integrated data services over a next-generation network. The ICS2000 provides a flexible interworking architecture for multiple broadband technologies, such as TDM, ATM and IP. The ICS2000's virtual switch configuration offers unparalleled scalability, network design flexibility and significant operational savings over legacy systems. Delivering carrier-grade reliability on NEBS-certified hardware, the compact design of the ICS2000 also supports more than 100,000 DS0s in a standard telco rack.

About Convergent Networks, Inc.

Founded in 1998 and privately held, Convergent Networks is The Voice of Broadband Networking(TM). The company designs, develops and markets carrier-class switching solutions that enable emerging and incumbent service providers to economically deliver innovative broadband services to their business and residential customers. Convergent Networks' Cohesion(TM) product family, which can be configured to support trunking or subscriber applications, consists of four components: the ICS2000(TM) broadband switch, the ICSG(TM) signaling gateway, the ICSX(TM) softswitch and services platform and the ICView(TM) management system, which can be configured to support trunking or subscriber applications. More information about the company can be found at www.convergentnet.com.

Cohesion, ICS2000, ICSX, ICSG, ICView and The Voice of Broadband Networking are trademarks of Convergent Networks. All other company and product names are the property of their respective owners.