Minacom Introduces MTA-Loopback VoIP Testing; Cable Operators Can Test Subscribers' End-to-End VoIP Call Quality Remotely from Routers and Media Gateways, Through PSTN or IP Connections.

DENVER -- Minacom, the leading VoIP test solution provider for Cable MSOs, introduced today an addition to the widely-deployed DirectQuality(R) R7 service level test automation platform that allows operators to test VoIP service quality directly to subscriber-installed multimedia terminal adapters (MTAs).

With this new functionality, the DirectQuality R7 test platform offers unrivaled test coverage for Cable MSOs deploying and managing VoIP services. The Minacom patent-pending MTA loopback testing technique lets operators perform both analog/audio and IP/RTP-based end-to-end VoIP quality tests from PowerProbe(R) service level test probes installed in hubs and/or the network operation center (NOC). IP/RTP loopback testing measures VoIP media streaming performance and quality at the packet level, while analog/audio loopback testing provides true user-perceived speech quality analysis including the impairments audio codecs introduce when performing digital/analog and analog/digital speech conversion and compression. The technique is compatible with widely deployed MTAs compatible with data-over-cable service interface specification (DOCSIS(R)) version 2.0 or later, including devices from Arris, Motorola, and other leading manufacturers.

In addition to testing VoIP quality within a Cable MSO's network, Minacom PowerProbes can conduct loopback tests from the PSTN-side of media gateways and softswitches to fully assess the effects PSTN/IP conversion has on VoIP quality. As most cable VoIP customers regularly place calls outside the MSO's network, testing VoIP as it is delivered to the PSTN is a critical part of most operators' quality assurance test strategies.

Minacom's MTA loopback testing method is compatible with PowerProbe software test agents capable of measuring all industry-standard speech quality metrics, including MOS, R-factor, packet loss, jitter, latency, echo, noise, call volume, and DTMF transparency, as well as common network times and call connectivity measurements such as dial-tone delay, post-dial delay, billing-duration and call completion ratio. In addition, loopback testing can also be used to validate Internet / video and data transmission performance.

"The DirectQuality R7 service level test automation platform is currently used by Cable MSO's worldwide for VoIP day-of-install, troubleshooting, and service quality monitoring. The addition of MTA-loopback testing offers a highly cost-effective, remote-troubleshooting tool that complements probe-to-probe and responder-based test methods to form a total VoIP quality assurance strategy cable operators use to deliver PSTN-quality VoIP to their subscribers," commented Michel Nadeau, Minacom's President and CEO, adding "No other test technique can measure VoIP service quality directly to subscriber's homes without requiring field-based test equipment; loopback testing to MTAs can greatly reduce the need to dispatch technicians to assess and resolve customer-reported service issues."

Michel Nadeau will provide a complete overview of VoIP deployment, troubleshooting and monitoring techniques at the SCTE CableTec Conference in Denver, Colorado, as an invited speaker in the session, "Maximizing VoIP Network Uptime" scheduled on the 22nd and 23rd of June.

Minacom's DirectQuality R7 test automation solutions are specifically designed to help Telcos and Cable MSO's deploy and maintain VoIP/telephony, IPTV, video, internet, fax and modem services. DirectQuality's web-based OSS interacts seamlessly with legacy operational support systems, integrating service quality into existing business processes including fault management and customer support systems.

Minacom solutions will be demonstrated at the SCTE CableTec EXPO, Booth #1931, 20-23 June, 2006, in Denver, Colorado.

About Minacom

Minacom builds Service Level Test Systems for Telcos and Cable MSOs, and Internet Telephony Service Providers. Minacom's automated test systems help maintain the integrity and quality of large-scale multi-service deployments, including Voice, VoIP, IPTV, Caller ID, Voicemail, Conferencing, Fax, Dial-Up Modem, Video Conferencing, and IP Services from Ping and DNS to Audio & Video RTP Streaming.

Minacom systems are web-controlled by a centralized server platform that integrates years of operational experience into test setups, test strategies and result analysis rules used by over 70 operators worldwide including AT&T, Comcast, France Telecom, Liberty Global, Primus, Orange, Clearwire, VSNL and Bellsouth, as well as softswitch manufacturers such as Siemens, Cedar Point and Ericsson.

Experience Minacom's QoS test automation live at www.minacom.com/try.

Minacom, Simplifying Service Assurance, DirectQuality, DirectCare, DirectReach and PowerProbe are registered trademarks of Minacom. All other trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective owners.