Tekelec Introduces SIP Signaling Router to Optimize NGNs for Multimedia Service Delivery and IMS Migration.

TekCore Session Manager Now Provides Centralized Session Routing and Core Signaling Capabilities to 'Bridge' TDM, NGN and Future IMS Domains

MORRISVILLE, N.C. -- Tekelec (NASDAQ: TKLC), a leading developer of high-performance network applications for next-generation fixed, mobile and packet networks, today announced the availability of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Signaling Router (SSR) functionality on its TekCore Session Manager product. The solution enables telecommunications operators to expand next-generation networks (NGNs), meet growing market demand for new multimedia services and realize a seamless migration path to the Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS). Global tier one and tier two operators are planning initial TekCore SSR deployments in the second half of 2007, with mass deployments expected in 2008.

The Tekelec SSR provides centralized session routing for softswitches and enables core signaling capabilities that inter-work between time division multiplexing (TDM), NGN and future IMS domains. These capabilities allow subscribers to use existing, next-generation and future IMS-based services regardless of access type -- an important requirement for operators that need to ensure consistent service delivery over hybrid networks as they migrate to all-IP environments.

TeleGeography projects that the number of U.S. voice over IP (VoIP) subscribers will reach 14.3 million by year-end 2007, equivalent to 13 percent of U.S. households, and will grow to 23.7 million subscribers by 2010.(1)

"TDM-to-IP network migration will occur gradually, but demand for VoIP services is growing rapidly today as studies such as the one by TeleGeography indicate," said Ronald de Lange, president and general manager, Tekelec Network Signaling Group. "Operators need to maintain service levels in both new and existing networks seamlessly for their subscribers. Tekelec's core signaling-based approach, powered by products like the TekCore SSR, makes the IMS business case work by allowing operators to provide new revenue-generating services across TDM, NGN and future IMS domains."

TekCore SSR Centralizes Session Routing, Introduces SIP Signaling to Optimize Seamless Service Delivery in NGNs

As operators overlay or replace TDM technologies and evolve to NGNs, they are finding that the current softswitch-based architecture, which lacks a core signaling infrastructure, can cause scalability and availability issues, routing and service complexity, increased interoperability testing and higher operation costs associated with NGN expansion.

TekCore SSR delivers centralized session routing via a core SIP signaling framework, which allows softswitches to forward requests more efficiently to their destinations. Operators can apply TekCore's SSR function to support needs such as session management for multimedia SIP endpoints, centralized points for softswitches and a centralized application manager, as well as number portability (NP)-aware session routing and protocol proxy.

Control and Management Functions Simplify Migration to IMS

As operators deploy IMS technology incrementally over time, they will need to support signaling and session control in both NGN and IMS domains while providing linkage to signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling in the PSTN.

The TekCore SSR inter-works across all domains, allowing operators to launch new services while leveraging their existing infrastructure. The product also saves costs by leveraging existing IN/SCP services such as NP, without requiring operators to replicate existing services across network domains.

Tekelec's TekCore Session Manager supports both SSR and 3GPP call session control function (CSCF) capabilities, which can be deployed as standalone network elements or in tandem - leveraging the same standards-based ATCA platform. This allows Tekelec to support 3GPP specifications and to inter-work with non-3GPP-compliant IP environments, supporting a wide variety of operators around the world which are at different stages of evolution to IMS.

Support for Unified Signaling and Monitoring Across TDM, 2G/3G, NGN and IMS Networks

Tekelec recently enhanced its IAS architecture to support data correlation, mediation and database functions for TDM, 2G/3G, NGN and IMS networks. In conjunction with Tekelec's industry-leading EAGLE[R]5 Integrated Signaling System (ISS) and TekCore Session Manager, Tekelec now is able to provide unified signaling and monitoring for TDM, 2G/3G, NGN and IMS networks. Operators benefit from being able to support and monitor all of their signaling protocols with as few network elements as possible, while seamlessly delivering a consistent service experience across a hybrid network architecture.

Demonstrations of the TekCore Session Manager will be featured during NXTcomm, June 18-20, 2007, in Chicago, at Tekelec's booth #5915.

(1) TeleGeography's U.S. VoIP Research Service, Q107 Update

About Tekelec

Tekelec is a high-performance network applications company that is accelerating the transition to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks for service providers around the globe. With its experience at the intersection of network applications and session control, Tekelec creates highly efficient platforms for managing media and delivering network solutions. Corporate headquarters are located near Research Triangle Park in Morrisville, N.C., U.S.A., with research and development facilities and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, please visit http://www.tekelec.com.