Nuera Communications' ORCA SSC Softswitch First to Interoperate with Legacy Equipment in Live Network Using SIP.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2001

Nuera SSC Softswitch and Gateways Enable WorldQuest Networks

to Migrate to Next-Generation Network

The migration from legacy systems to next-generation networks using a standards-based protocol has begun. Nuera Communications has integrated its SSC Softswitch and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-enabled gateways into WorldQuest Networks' international telephone network. The result is the first fully integrated legacy/next-generation network running live using an open protocol.

"The true test of a next-generation architecture is to support live service," said Nuera Chief Executive Officer/President Bill Ingram. "We are very pleased that our Voice-over-IP solutions can bring to reality the advantages of a next-generation network for leading-edge companies like WorldQuest."

Within WorldQuest's network, the ORCA SSC is handling the call control and signaling services in a network of Nuera's ORCA GX-21 and F200SIP gateways. The Softswitch communicates with the gateways using industry-standard Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) and SIP. MGCP and SIP have been cited as the most promising interoperability protocols within the Voice-over-IP industry.

"Service provider networks must be designed to deliver enhanced services more cost effectively and with a faster time to market than the standard 'telco' model," said Christin Flynn, program manager -- Carrier Convergence Infrastructure, for the Yankee Group. "We are seeing more and more carriers deploying standards-based, carrier-class solutions like Nuera's to gain the competitive edge and deliver quality, revenue-generating services to their customers."

According to Michael Adler, founder of WorldQuest, "Nuera continually pushes the industry to new levels by developing high-quality carrier-class solutions that run flawlessly in any network. Its products and people help keep WorldQuest on the leading edge."

WorldQuest has added ORCA SSC Softswitches, ORCA GX-21 carrier-class switching platforms and F200SIP gateways to its network. The initial investment in this upgrade to software-based switching is valued at approximately $500,000.

About Nuera

Nuera Communications Inc., a top-rated Voice-over-Internet Protocol infrastructure provider, develops packet-voice telephony solutions for carriers worldwide. The company's Open, Reliable Communications Architecture -- ORCA(R) -- enables seamless voice traffic transport between the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and IP-based packet networks. Nuera's SSC Softswitch, a software-based packet voice switch, allows companies to migrate from traditional switching into a broadband environment.

Nuera is driving the adoption of interoperability standards such as MGCP and SIP and is a founding member of the International Softswitch Consortium. Nuera is a privately held, venture-funded company headquartered in San Diego, with sales and development operations in Asia, the Americas and Europe.

About WorldQuest

WorldQuest Networks is an international telecom company whose founders have invented a number of telecommunications "firsts": the first answer detection technology (which provided the foundation for the entire call automation industry); the first "intelligent" pay phone (which resulted in the creation of the largest pay phone manufacturer in the United States) and dozens of other patents.

WorldQuest Networks is headquartered in Dallas and has satellite offices in Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Indonesia and Mexico.