XACCT Releases Fifth-Generation Mediation Platform; New Product Enhances OSS Migration Capabilities for Converged Voice and Data Services, Reduces Total Cost of Ownership.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004

Extending its leadership in network data management solutions for wireless, wireline and cable operators, XACCT today announced the general availability of XACCTusage 5.0, the company's fifth-generation mediation platform. The new version provides greater revenue assurance features and significantly improved ease of deployment and integration capabilities, enabling service providers to converge voice and data mediation functions onto a single platform, quickly and cost effectively. Available directly from the company and its global network of authorized Value-add Partners (VAPs), XACCTusage 5.0 is the first and only mediation platform that concurrently supports real-time and file-based modes of operations for traditional circuit-switch voice as well as packet data networks. Several carriers have already deployed the new version in their production environments.

XACCTusage 5.0 is designed to significantly reduce typical development and customization costs of mediation projects. Its GUI-driven configuration approach accelerates the implementation of business rules to support new and existing services while reducing the time it takes to configure network interfaces, resulting in lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Significant new enhancements of XACCTusage 5.0 include:

-- Support for Concurrent File-based and Real-time processing

modes on the same system - The ability to configure and deploy

both capabilities on the same platform is crucial for the

consolidation of voice, data, content and application

mediation systems supporting both traditional and next

generation services.

-- Enhanced integrated Error Management System which further

streamlines the recovery of the rejected and suspended CDRs to

ensure the accuracy of billable data while minimizing manual

processing and delays. The Error Management System facilitates

and automates a workflow process for detection, isolation,

correction, and reprocessing of erroneous data. It provides a

GUI-based editor for easy correction and reprocessing the

rejected records.

-- New User configurable, generic CDR Parser and Formatter helps

reduce expenses and delays caused by frequent network

equipment upgrades or changes as well as the integration time

required to install a new mediation system. The operator can

control such changes by configuring new parsing rules through

a simple user interface. Similarly, user-configurable

formatting rules enable rapid integration with downstream

applications and a quick adaptation of the mediation

interfaces to the BSS/OSS.

-- Task and Process Monitoring capabilities have been enhanced

with new and dedicated visual screens. Configuration objects

direct status messages to the centralized monitoring screens

in real-time to enable easier and faster troubleshooting. The

customer favorite SNMP-based interface of the application has

also been enhanced with more configuration options for

filtering and sending information to fault management systems.

-- Additional performance enhancements of up to 300% enable

significant reduction of hardware costs. The system's

distributed architecture and multi-threaded design enable true

linear vertical scalability tested up to 128 processors. The

system has been optimized to run on mid-frame, enterprise

HP-UX and Sun Solaris operating systems.

"XACCTusage 5.0 is a category defining product because it is the only converged mediation platform with reliable file-based and real-time capabilities. It significantly reduces the risks and costs associated with consolidating mediation platforms which is a must do for all CIOs trying to reduce operating expenses related to OSS," said Eric Gries, President and CEO of XACCT Technologies. "XACCT continues to provide a unique user interface driven product that allows service providers to simplify the management of network usage information for any public switched telephony network (PSTN), packet-switched data network, and 2G/2.5G/3G mobile networks."

XACCTusage 5.0 has already been deployed by LDCOM to unify its IP mediation functions onto a single system. LDCOM was able to reduce operational expenses and support the unification of LDCOM's network operation after its acquisitions of 9Telecom, KAPTECH and Belgacom France.

"LDCOM has built its reputation as a telecom network and services provider by offering a wide range of high-quality, innovative and competitive telephone, Internet access, and data services to households and businesses," said Francois-Philippe Pic, CIO at LDCOM. "XACCTusage 5.0 allows us to future-proof our back-office infrastructure such that we can be more nimble in a competitive industry and better serve our customers."

About XACCT Technologies

XACCT Technologies provides the leading network data management platform for telecommunications service providers such as network backbone providers, mobile operators, cable operators and managed services providers. XACCT's carrier-class Network-to-Business (N2B(R)) Platform enables service providers to monetize their network traffic by harnessing network information to create new value-based services and lower operational costs. XACCT offers the industry's first and only platform that enables real-time data capture and enhancement; seamless integration with any business or operations application; and instantaneous, flow-through service provisioning.

XACCT has received numerous awards including Upside magazine's 'HOT100', 'Product of the Year' by Internet Telephony and 'Top 50 private companies most likely to change the world' by Red Herring magazine. XACCT investors include Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq:SUNW), Dell Computer (Nasdaq:DELL), Deutsche Bank, Technology Crossover Ventures, Trident Capital, Ampal (Nasdaq:AMPL), Eucalyptus Ventures and Israel Seed Partners. With offices around the globe, XACCT has more than 70 customers, including Bell Canada (NYSE:BCE), Boeing (NYSE:BA), Cable & Wireless (NYSE:CWP), SFR-Cegetel in France, COLT (Nasdaq:COLT), Czech Telecom, Equant (NYSE:ENT), Genuity-Level (3) Communications (Nasdaq:LVLT), LDCOM, Motorola (NYSE:MOT), SingTel Optus, Sprint (NYSE:FON/PCS), Teleglobe, (NYSE:BCE), TELUS (NYSE:TU), TV Cabo, Verio-NTT (NYSE:NTT), Vodafone-Ireland and Vodafone-Italy. The XACCT N2B platform links the network to the business.

XACCTusage, N2B and XDR are trademarks of XACCT Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.