MetaSwitch Brings Transatlantic Voice Over Broadband to Global MSF Interoperability Event.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2002

Multiservice Switching Forum Demonstrates Open Architecture with

MetaSwitch Next Generation Class 5 Switches Located

in Two Continents

MetaSwitch, supplier of the VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch, has announced that it successfully participated in Global MSF Interoperability 2002 (GMI 2002), the industry's first networked test and demonstration of the MSF's Release 1 Architecture.

The event, conducted simultaneously in North America, Europe and Asia, involved 10 days of tests and demonstrations. MetaSwitch was one of 15 participants, including a number of major carriers, who came together to test the MSF Release 1 Architecture.

This architecture provides guidelines to service providers and their suppliers to enable the evolution of their networks toward a multi-vendor, multi-service switched network.

MetaSwitch provided VP3500 switches and ancillary equipment to two GMI locations - in the United States, at the University of New Hampshire's InterOperability Lab and in Europe, at BTexact Technologies' Advanced Research and Technology Centre at Adastral Park.

The VP3500 delivers a rich set of subscriber services over both legacy and broadband (ATM and IP) access lines, with exceptional levels of reliability and performance - even when used to deliver transatlantic voice service between the GMI test sites.

"MetaSwitch is committed to the development of interoperable standards, and GMI 2002 provided a springboard to accelerate this goal of the MSF Release 1 Architecture," said John Lazar, VP Sales and Marketing at MetaSwitch. "We were able to successfully complete testing of the VP3500 with a wide range of switch, CPE and test equipment vendors demonstrating that open carrier-class Voice over Broadband solutions are a reality - here and now!"

Paul Brittain, Senior Product Manager at MetaSwitch, added that "The MSF has a unique focus on ensuring interoperability of complete end-to-end solutions for the carrier market - and MetaSwitch firmly believes that is precisely what is needed to kick-start deployments of next generation voice technologies. The excellent facilities provided by the MSF and their hosts, UNH, BTexact and NTT, enabled all the engineers present to work productively through a very aggressive test schedule. We are already looking forward to extending the testing still further at the next GMI."

MetaSwitch's advanced next generation Class 5 switch solutions provide multiple components of the MSF architecture, including Call Agent, Media Gateway, Media Gateway Controller and Signaling Gateway. The result is a true carrier-class solution that meets service providers' requirement to deploy revenue-generating services today while migrating towards a next generation network architecture.

About GMI 2002

Global MSF Interoperability 2002 (GMI 2002) was the first-ever interoperability demonstration of a multi-service architecture designed by a broad mix of major carriers, network equipment manufacturers and test equipment vendors.

The Multiservice Switching Forum's Release 1 Architecture was tested November 4-15 simultaneously at three test sites, across three continents - one each in North America, Europe and Asia.

The primary goal of GMI 2002 was to demonstrate MSF's Release 1 Architecture utilizing MEGACO H.248, Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as the main control and signaling protocols. For additional information on the event please visit http://www.msforum.org.

About the MSF

The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) is a global association of service providers and system suppliers committed to developing and promoting open-architecture, multiservice switching systems. Founded in 1998, the MSF is an open-membership organization comprised of the world's leading telecommunications companies.

The MSF's activities include developing implementation agreements, promoting worldwide compatibility and interoperability, and encouraging input to appropriate national and international standards bodies. For more information about the MSF and its members, visit the MSF web site at http://www.msforum.org.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch, a division of Data Connection, is the result of 21 years of experience supplying leading-edge technology to the telecommunications industry. The company's track record of consistent profitability ensures long-term commitment to development and customer support.

The MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch offers service providers an immediate solution for broadband (VoIP and/or VoATM) and POTS service and a future-proof "softswitch" architecture for enhanced applications.

MetaSwitch has offices in London, Chester and Edinburgh in the UK, and Alameda, CA, Dallas, TX and Reston, VA in the US.

For more information, see www.metaswitch.com.

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) 2002 Data Connection Limited