SS8 Networks Introduces Wholesale Carrier Package for VoIP Networks; Carrier-Grade Applications Generate Revenue for IP Transit Network and Clearinghouse Operators.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 2002

SS8 Networks announces the introduction of a full range of intercarrier, traffic-sharing features on its IP signaling product, the SS8 ServiceController(TM). These features allow carriers to generate substantial new revenue through traffic sharing, IP termination and other wholesale voice applications.

The SS8 ServiceController combines secure billing and settlement capabilities, based on Open Settlement Protocol (OSP), with a comprehensive routing engine and simultaneous support for H.323 and SIP signaling protocols. The SS8 ServiceController also can serve as the central "hub" for VoIP clearinghouse operators.

SS8 Networks has partnered with TransNexus to provide a fully integrated OSP client interface on all SS8 Networks products. The company also has certified interoperability with the TransNexus OSP Nexus(TM) Server for billing, settlement, and least-cost-routing between carriers. The partnership provides carriers with a standards-based interface for real-time account settlement on traffic exchange. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption is used to protect the integrity of vital network data such as billing records and route selections.

The SS8 ServiceController makes it possible for SS8 Networks to leverage its signaling products, enabling wholesalers to partner with carriers running H.323 or SIP networks from a variety of gateway and softswitch vendors. For all partner networks, SS8 Networks supports a wide range of powerful routing options, including proportion, source-based routing, and time-based carrier selection.

"Intercarrier traffic exchange and wholesale applications are still significant applications for VoIP network operators worldwide," said SS8 Networks President and CEO Grant Wakelin. "A feature-rich platform at the core of wholesale carrier interconnections will enable the industry to grow from a niche market to the mainstream source of intercarrier voice minutes in the near future."

"OSP has emerged as the clear standard for real-time billing and settlement between carriers," said Jim Dalton, CEO of TransNexus. "The addition of SS8 Networks to the OSP community will greatly accelerate wholesale traffic on IP networks and add further momentum to its growth into the dominant transport mechanism for international and domestic long distance applications."

About SS8 Networks

SS8 Networks engineers a complete range of signaling solutions and enhanced service applications that enable service providers to profitably operate converged, hybrid networks -- bridging PSTN and IP capabilities. The company's carrier-class products allow network operators to optimize their investment in traditional, legacy networks and seamlessly transition to next-generation networks. The company headquarters is located in San Jose, Calif., and R&D facilities are operated in Ottawa, Canada and Shelton, Conn. More information is available on the SS8 Networks Web site at www.SS8.com.

About TransNexus Inc.

TransNexus is the leading provider of standards-based IP InterExchange solutions designed to operate in multi-vendor, multi-network environments. TransNexus products and solutions are commercial enablers for secure, inter-domain authentication, routing, usage information collection and settlement for wholesale IP communications. All of TransNexus' product offerings are predicated on the Open Settlement Protocol (OSP), a client-server protocol that enables secure authorization, routing (brokering) and billing for any type of IP communications session that can be metered and billed, including voice, fax, video, and content-based communications. TransNexus plays a vital role as one of the original editors of OSP, which is defined within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). More information is available on the Transnexus Web site at www.transnexus.com.