Aastra and MetaSwitch to Deliver Hot New Business SIP Phone Applications

MetaSwitch Forum 2009, Las Vegas, NV: April 8, 2009. Aastra Telecom, a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market, announced today at MetaSwitch Forum 2009 that it has collaborated with MetaSwitch to enable a range of enhanced XML-based phone applications delivered via the MetaSphere application server to Aastra's SIP handsets. Carriers can now offer advanced, integrated communications solutions that allow business customers to more effectively manage message and call lists, update contacts and provision new services.

MetaSwitch and Aastra have collaborated to develop an integrated suite of applications delivered to Aastra's flexible carrier and enterprise-grade quality SIP phones, including Aastra's 6755i, 6757i and 6757i CT phones. The resulting solution provides real time synchronization between key features in the MetaSphere platform and the Aastra IP end point. Customers will be able to use the Aastra phone screen and softkeys to dip into applications and services that previously would have been only available via a computer terminal.

Using the embedded XML browser in the Aastra IP phone, the following new features are available to Service Providers deploying a MetaSwitch-Aastra hosted IP PBX solution:

• Message List - shows voicemails in an on-screen list and allows users to listen to and manage messages
• Network Contacts - enables users to use and update their CommPortal network contact list directly from their phone handset
• Network Call Lists - displays missed, dialed, received and rejected calls, allowing return calls with a single key press
• Hot Desking - allows users to log on and off from individual phone handsets, by entering their phone number and password
• Service Provisioning - empowers small business administrators to add new phone handsets to their Business Group via an on-phone UI, reducing the need to visit customer premises to turn up a new device, and allowing users to stop tracking the MAC addresses of managed phones.

These new capabilities will be delivered to carriers and end users via MetaSwitch's CommPortal Web 2.0 application infrastructure. As such, they are fully integrated with the MetaView SIP Provisioning Server and CommPortal Phone Configurator graphical user interface, simplifying deployment and creating a seamless, easy end-user experience.

"Small and medium businesses are continually looking for ways to improve efficiency and market positioning in an increasingly competitive economic climate," said John Drolet, Vice President of Indirect Channels and Carrier Sales for Aastra. "By working with MetaSwitch to offer XML-based applications to our joint customers, we are giving businesses and carriers alike advanced solutions without the capital expenditure of a new phone system."

"Aastra's selection of IP handsets combined with MetaSwitch's IMS-based suite of integrated applications makes it possible for us to deliver our most-often used, next-generation features directly to the screen of Aastra's IP phones," said Andy Randall, vice president of marketing for MetaSwitch. "In order for carriers to compete for business subscribers, they must offer a feature-rich, integrated communications solution. Together with Aastra, we are able to provide the critical pieces of this solution."

Aastra is a Silver Sponsor and exhibitor at the MetaSwitch Forum 2009, Booth # 212, where the new phone applications are being demonstrated. John Drolet, Vice President of Indirect Channels and Carrier Sales for Aastra, will present the session, "Using Aastra IP Phones and XML to Help Differentiate and Win in a Hosted VoIP Sale," on Wednesday, April 8th at 3:00pm.

About Aastra Telecom

Aastra Telecom is a North American business unit of Aastra Technologies Limited ("Aastra"), a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative communications products and applications for businesses. Aastra's operations are truly global with more than 50 million installed lines around the world and a direct and indirect presence in more than 100 countries. Aastra is entirely dedicated to enterprise communications and offers one of the most complete portfolios of unified communications solutions individually tailored to satisfy its customers' requirements. These range from feature-rich call managers for small and medium businesses and highly scalable ones for large enterprises, integrated mobility, call center solutions to a wide selection of terminals. With a strong focus on open standards, Aastra enables enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at http://www.aastra.com.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is a leading provider of carrier systems and software solutions that are powering the migration of communications networks to open, packet-based architectures. Hundreds of network operators worldwide depend on its Carrier Division for reliable, scalable session control, media gateway and application/feature server solutions to enable compelling revenue-generating services. Its Network Protocols Division, marketed under the Data Connection brand (www.dataconnection.com), develops high performance, portable software components that are integrated into the products of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.metaswitch.com.