Iowa Telcos Ready for VoIP; Iowa Network Services Completes Testing of MetaSwitch as First VoIP Softswitch Suitable for Deployment by 150 Rural Iowa Telephone Companies.

ALAMEDA, Calif. & WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- MetaSwitch, the leading independent vendor of Class 5 VoIP solutions, announced today that Iowa Network Services (INS) has completed testing of the VP3500 series Class 5 softswitch for VoIP and SS7 interconnection. As a result, Iowa's 150 independent telephone companies have, for the first time, a VoIP softswitch solution that they can deploy in their shared fiber-optic network - opening up the prospect of packet-based voice services to over 560,000 Iowans in 330 communities.

Although it leads the nation in the production of soybeans, eggs and corn, Iowa is somewhat less well known for its forward-thinking approach to telecommunications. However, as far back as 1988, before widespread awareness of the Internet, the state's rural independent telephone companies demonstrated the vision required to build a state-wide fiber-optic network. INS not only operates this network but tests vendors' equipment to ensure interoperability before it is deployed.

"To be honest, MetaSwitch is the first true Class 5 switch we have seen that can deliver VoIP services just as well as it does TDM and SS7," said Leon Hofer, Vice President of Network Operations.

"We are very pleased that MetaSwitch sailed through the INS testing in just a matter of days," said Bob Harvey, Regional Director at MetaSwitch. "With over 70 deployments in North America, though, I was confident that we would successfully pass."

The MetaSwitch VP3500 is uniquely suited to rural independent telephone companies in Iowa seeking a next generation Class 5 solution. It is still the only central office switch to be accepted by the federal Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for VoIP, and with this latest INS certification, is also the only softswitch that can be deployed for VoIP in the INS network. With a rich set of Class 5 services and tandem switching capabilities delivered over both TDM and packet interfaces, MetaSwitch can be deployed as a replacement for a legacy Class 5 switch, or in parallel for new services and/or regulatory compliance.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed VP3500 Series Class 5 Softswitch supports over 100 Class 5 features including CLASS services, IP Centrex, E911, LNP, 1-800 and CALEA, and scales from a few hundred to half a million subscribers. Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as well as operators of broadband wireless, cable and fiber networks.

MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology provider Data Connection (DCL). The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright (C) 2004 Data Connection Limited