TollBridge Joins telecom technologies' INIP Powered Partner Program; Breakthrough Initiative Tackles DSL Interoperability to Help Data Networks Add Voice Capability.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

RICHARDSON, Texas and SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2000

telecom technologies, inc., The Softswitch Source(SM), and TollBridge Technologies, Inc., the voice of broadband, today announced that TollBridge has become a member of the INIP Powered(SM) Partner Program.

The INIP Powered Partner Program is designed to accelerate the deployment of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone systems by integrating standards-based softswitches, media gateways, IP telephone terminals and telephone applications. The program, centered on the INIP Powered Lab, is the first of its kind in the industry and offers its partners a well-defined pathway to integrate their software or hardware into the end-to-end solutions that service providers are seeking. The resulting integrated solution will offer carriers a bridge between established network infrastructures and new technologies, giving them a way to add cutting-edge services while controlling the costs of managing diverse networks.

Under the agreement, Santa Clara, Calif.-based TollBridge has submitted two products to the INIP Powered Laboratory in Richardson. They are the TB200 voice gateway and the TB50 MTA customer premises equipment. In the laboratory, these products' interoperability with telecom technologies' INtelligentIP(TM) softswitch will be tested. Once interoperability testing is completed and interoperability has been established for each product, that particular product will become "INIP Powered."

The TB200 and TB50 MTA, when fully interoperable with INtelligentIP, will help enable data networks to compete more effectively by offering voice-based services over DSL or cable at substantially reduced infrastructure investments as well as at an accelerated pace of deployment. Moreover, these interoperable products help bring together the new converged voice/data networks with legacy class 5 switches from existing networks, protecting carriers' infrastructure investments.

INtelligentIP is a scalable, carrier-grade softswitch that operates on any media gateway/switch, providing connectivity between new, packet-based networks and traditional, circuit-based switched networks. The product integrates SS7 network control capabilities with packet-based network protocols that include H.323, SIP, RTP, ATM and frame relay.

The TB200 voice gateway has MGCP support to route calls and the TollView management platform with SIP/MGCP northbound to softswitches and service creation environments. The TB50 MTA is an access device with future NCS and MGCP support. The two provide connectivity to legacy phones, IP PBXs and class 5 switches, permitting 911 calls, billing and enabling newer voice/data converged services, including local number portability and follow-me.

"As carriers move to next-generation, pure-packet networks, it becomes more and more critical to deliver truly interoperable softswitches and service platforms that are robust and quick to deploy," said Agnes Imregh, TollBridge's vice president of marketing. "TollBridge and telecom technologies together in the INIP Powered Partner program are making this happen right now."

"Just as telecom technologies is the developer of the industry's most comprehensive softswitch, TollBridge Technologies has succeeded in capturing the largest installed base of voice-over-broadband subscribers," said Terri Griffin, vice president of marketing for telecom technologies. "Taking convergence to broadband moves closer thanks to the decision of these two pioneers to interoperate their products fully via the INIP Powered Partner Program."

About TollBridge

Founded in March 1998 and located in Santa Clara, Calif., TollBridge Technologies is the leading provider of voice-over-broadband solutions to a new generation of carriers. TollBridge solutions change the economics of delivering voice services by allowing carriers that own Class 5 switches to use broadband access technologies, such as DSL or cable, to bypass the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and deliver toll-quality voice and integrated data services. For more information about TollBridge Technologies, visit the company's Web site at http://www.tollbridgetech.com or contact Rich Farana at 408/585-6114.

About telecom technologies

telecom technologies, inc. has developed and markets a unique blend of products and services for the telecommunications industry, supplying carriers with the most powerful weapon in the battle for network convergence. First, the company offers a leading softswitch product, INtelligentIP(TM), designed for best-of-breed and high-capacity solutions for network and service providers. Second, telecom technologies is the originator of the unprecedented INIP Powered(SM) Partner Program (www.inippowered.com), designed to speed fully integrated, end-to-end multi-service technology solutions to market through an interoperability program and lab. Third, telecom technologies' services group brings unparalleled expertise in design and deployment of end-to-end solutions for next generation, carrier-grade multi-service networks. Collectively, telecom technologies' products and services ensure carriers the ability to evolve painlessly to the next-generation networks that generate value-added services and revenue.

Headquartered in the Telecom Corridor(R) in Richardson, Texas, telecom technologies has offices worldwide and is accessible via the Internet at www.telecomtechnologies.com or by phone at 972/301-4900 or 888/FONE-TTI.

The telecom technologies logo, the INIP Powered logo and the INIP Powered Program name are service marks of telecom technologies, inc. INtelligentIP is a trademark of telecom technologies, inc. TollBridge, the TollBridge logo, TollVoice and TollView are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies. Telecom Corridor is a registered trademark of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. All other service marks, trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective companies.