sentitO Networks Enters RUS Trial at Woolstock Mutual Telephone Association.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2003

Trial Will Lead To Expanded Availability of the Only Standards-based End Office Softswitch for Rural Service Providers

sentitO Networks, the leader in end office softswitching, announced today that Woolstock Mutual Telephone Association (WMTA), a progressive independent operating company (IOC) based in Woolstock, Iowa will begin a Rural Utilities Service (RUS) field trial with sentitO's New End Office(TM) (NEO) softswitching platform.

End office softswitching differs from traditional softswitching solutions by focusing squarely on offering the service breadth (VoIP, SIP-based calling services), reliability, regulatory compliance, and scalability service providers demand when delivering converged services and connectivity directly to their residential and enterprise subscribers.

With successful completion of the trial, sentitO will be placed on the RUS-approved vendor list in the first quarter of next year, making it easier for RUS-funded service providers to finance their deployments of the New End Office. RUS is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides low-interest loans to rural telecommunications service providers to enable the development of an advanced communications infrastructure in rural locations of the United States.

WMTA will use sentitO's NEO to replace the company's existing Class 5 switch, as well as their external Remote Access Server (RAS) devices. The NEO uniquely incorporates V.92 RAS modem termination and services, allowing rural service providers to both improve the level of dial-up Internet services they provide their customers, while dramatically reducing the costs of providing those services.

"We selected the NEO because it was designed to provide IP-based services - both voice and data - directly to our subscribers from the beginning," said Jeff Rhode, managing director of WMTA about his decision to go with sentitO. "The cost savings and service revenue growth we are seeing are simply not possible with the other switches on the market."

sentitO is currently in trials with a growing number of rural service providers, many of whom will be seeking RUS-funding to support their transition to converged voice and data networks.

The NEO is the only standards-based end office softswitching solution available for rural communications companies that provides the service flexibility, scalability, and reliability they require of their switching platforms. Only the NEO provides both two-wire and four-wire interfaces, environmental hardening, Emergency Standalone services, E911 and CALEA services in an IP-and SIP-based platform.

"The RUS trial announcement with Woolstock demonstrates SentitO's commitment to pursue IOCs," said Danny Klein, analyst at The Yankee Group. "We expect IOCs to continue spending on next generation equipment, expand service offerings and become stronger local competitors. sentitO's product portfolio can help these operators migrate to an IP infrastructure."

"While the RUS trial marks the beginning of the process for sentitO's NSS to achieve RUS certification, it also shows that the IOC market is validating our architecture," said Terry Wolters, president and CEO of sentitO Networks. "Both sentitO and WMTA are optimistic about success and the fact that this RUS trial is moving forward solidifies our position as the leader in standards-based, end office softswitching."

About sentitO Networks

sentitO Networks is the leading provider of standards-based, end office softswitching solutions for global telecommunications service providers. sentitO is a privately held company with headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, and sales and development offices in Dallas, Texas and Westford, Massachusetts. The company has received funding from leading service providers and VC firms, including TELUS Ventures, Core Capital Partners, Mid-Atlantic Venture Funds, Technology Venture Partners, Kodiak Venture Partners, and Inflection Point Ventures. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.sentito.com.