Data Connection Renames its Voice-Over-DSL Group as MetaSwitch.

Business Wire/High Tech Writers

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2000

MetaSwitch VP3000 combines Voice-over-DSL gateway and Class 5

switching function to provide focused VoDSL solution for Service

Providers

Data Connection today announced that it is renaming and relaunching its VPSwitch Group as the MetaSwitch Group.

The first product in the MetaSwitch family - the VP3000 integrated DSL voice switch - was announced at SuperComm in Atlanta in June to excellent feedback from Service Providers and will be shown again at DSLcon '00 Fall in Boston on September 18-21.

By combining Voice-over-DSL gateway and Class 5 switching function in a single high-density system, the MetaSwitch VP3000 provides a superbly focused VoDSL solution. But, unlike many of its competitors, the VP3000 also gives Service Providers a clear and cost-effective upgrade path to emerging next-generation Softswitch and VoIP architectures, which leverages their investment in VP3000 hardware.

"The key point for Service Providers is that we can solve both short-term and long-term requirements", said Ian Ferguson, Chairman of Data Connection and head of the MetaSwitch Group. "In the short-term, we provide a strong and undiluted focus on VoDSL. But Service Providers also know we can help them build next generation networks with enhanced valued-added services. In short, the VP3000 is the strategic VoDSL platform."

"We are unique in this space in that the MetaSwitch VP3000 is entirely built using software that we developed in-house and is already deployed in real world networks" said John Lazar, VP of Sales and Marketing. "Data Connection has an unchallenged reputation as a developer and supplier of core communications technology, and of higher level services such as unified messaging, directory and conferencing. Service Providers will benefit as we roll out further switching and service platform products based on that stream of technology."

The MetaSwitch VP3000 is targeted at Service Providers who want an effective way to deploy VoDSL without investing in expensive and rigid legacy Class 5 switches, while also exploiting their existing packet backbones to carry voice.

The VP3000 is architected around MGCP/Megaco(H.248) and SCTP, so that future versions can evolve to fill a range of roles within next generation distributed networks - as Softswitches / Call Agents, access or trunk gateways, or services platforms. Many features can be deployed solely via software or hardware revisions, without requiring a major forklift upgrade of a Service Provider's network.

The MetaSwitch switching platform products are available in a carrier class form factor with full NEBS-3 compliance, fully redundant equipment and hot-swap / serviceability, with hardware and software engineered to meet the high availability and reliability requirements of carrier class equipment, including Bellcore GR-512-CORE.

About MetaSwitch and Data Connection

The MetaSwitch Group is a division of Data Connection (DCL), focusing on the provision of fully packaged, flexible and fault-tolerant products to Service Providers building converged network solutions. The MetaSwitch family of products is the result of a huge and continuing investment by Data Connection in the key infrastructural and service elements required for converged voice and data networks.

Data Connection is the leading independent developer of ATM, MPLS, MGCP/Megaco(H.248), SCTP, SS7, Conferencing, Unified Messaging, Directory and SNA technology. It has an unrivaled reputation with key customers including

-Service Providers such as Bell Atlantic, Southwestern Bell, IBM 

Global Networks and Cable and Wireless

-key equipment vendors including Cisco, Nortel Networks, Lucent,

Microsoft, Sun, Hitachi, Fujitsu, 3Com, IBM and HP

-large enterprises such as Shell, Citicorp, Barclays Bank and the

US Library of Congress.

Data Connection is headquartered in London, UK, with US offices in Alameda, CA and Reston, VA. It was founded in 1981 and is privately held. During each of the past 18 years its profits have exceeded 20% of revenue. Last year sales exceeded $30M, of which 90% were outside the UK, mostly in the US, leading to the company's second Queen's Award for outstanding export performance.

For information, contact the MetaSwitch Group by email at [e-mail], call 510 748 8230, or visit our web site at http://www.metaswitch.com .

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.