Telstar International Selects NexTone Session Controllers to Streamline Its Global Voice over Internet Protocol Network, Increasing Telstar's VoIP Capacity by 50%.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004

NexTone Offers Flexibility While Streamlining Inherent Complexities of VoIP

NexTone(TM) Communications, the leading provider of session controller technologies for the secure peering of packet networks, today announced that Telstar International, a leading provider of global telecommunications services, is deploying NexTone's industry leading session controller, with its unique suite of FlexControl technologies to increase the profitability of their voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

"By implementing NexTone session controllers, Telstar is able to increase its VoIP capacity by 50%, allow for faster and more efficient routing of traffic and improve our overall call processing, from both a quality and cost savings standpoint," said Jim Decker, Vice President of Telstar. "The efficiencies provided as a function of deploying NexTone's equipment are expected to add significantly to Telstar's bottom line."

Telstar deployed the NexTone Multiprotocol Session Controller (MSC), in its global switching center in New York to easily interconnect Telstar's multi-vendor solution with other IP-based carriers, as well as its International network switching nodes in Italy, Spain and Portugal, using capabilities such as dynamic call admission control, SIP/H.323 interworking functions and network address translation (NAT). Because the NexTone MSC, using its FlexPeer capabilities, is able to resolve incompatibilities between VoIP devices while providing control to route, process and manipulate session media, Telstar is able to ensure its retail VoIP traffic is delivered efficiently, minimizing congestion and post-dial delay, thereby improving its Answer Seizure Ratios (ASRs).

The NexTone solution offers significant cost savings benefits as it allows Telstar to use its gateways more efficiently. In traditional networks, carriers must dedicate ports on their gateways on a per-customer basis. NexTone's FlexPeer technology eliminates this requirement, allowing carriers to send traffic to multiple vendors over the same port, assuring that carriers can optimize their network capacity. This is especially important to Telstar, who is interconnected with more than 100 carriers worldwide. In December 2003 Telstar increased its VoIP capacity to accommodate the more than 200 million minutes of traffic that traverse its network each month. By deploying NexTone session controllers, Telstar can efficiently manage its traffic flow, and get the most out of its network architecture.

Telstar is also using NexTone's Network Analysis and Reporting System (NARS) as an adjunct to its proprietary network management system which has steadfastly delivered a dynamic, yet highly individualized communications solution to Telstar's customers. The added management functionality offered by NARS presents Telstar with a comprehensive set of tools to engineer and streamline traffic routing tables to gain significantly higher efficiency.

"Telstar is a global leader in offering advanced internet based services such as IP Calling Cards, Wholesale VoIP Carrier Services, Enterprise Retail VoIP solutions, and Internet Cafe Partner Programs. NexTone was able to positively impact Telstar's bottom line while addressing the diverse objectives of the company's core business," said Raj Sharma, president of NexTone. "NexTone offers end-to-end session control to our customers which results in unparalleled flexibility and scalability without sacrificing consistent service quality, protection and security within IP network infrastructures."

About Telstar

Telstar is a global leader in advanced internet-based services, providing communications solutions to all segments of the marketplace. Telstar provides wholesale Voice-over-the-Internet (VoIP) services to international carriers and retail offerings to small and medium business. Founded in 1995, with offices, retail outlets, data centers and network switch-points strategically placed throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and the US, Telstar is internationally recognized as an innovative and dynamic provider of VoIP based telephony.

Telstar's VoIP network has been skillfully engineered to provide efficient, high quality and cost effective voice services throughout Telstar's worldwide footprint. Telstar's network uses leading edge equipment from industry leaders Cisco, Nuera, Clarent and others to provide a network with quality that meets or exceeds that of traditional telephony providers. Telstar combines state-of-art network management technology with around-the-clock dedicated staff to ensure the highest quality of service to customers and service providers around the globe. For more information, visit www.telstar-usa.com.

About NexTone Communications

NexTone Communications is the leading provider of session controllers for the delivery of real-time services over packet networks, such as voice over IP (VoIP). NexTone solutions enable carriers, service providers and enterprise customers to securely, simply and cost-effectively interconnect networks. The rich feature set of NexTone's session controllers, including adaptive least cost routing, dynamic call route hunting and flexible call admission control, offers a comprehensive yet highly flexible and scalable solution while ensuring consistent service quality, protection and security within IP infrastructures. NexTone's session controller technology significantly reduces customer's equipment expenditures and also provides operational efficiencies such as reduced interconnect turn-up time and simplified network operations. NexTone is headquartered in Germantown, Maryland USA with domestic and International sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.nextone.com.