Access Integrated Networks Announces Facility-Based, Internet Protocol (IP) Network Strategy

Strategic partnership with MetaSwitch and Occam will provide enhanced communication services and open up new market segments

 

Macon, GA: August 4, 2005. Access Integrated Networks (AIN), one of the Southeast's leading Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), today announced a new network strategy, involving MetaSwitch and Occam Networks, Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM), designed to provide its more than 30,000 customers with advanced digital network service offerings.

This new strategy will enable Access to offer new voice and data services to more effectively serve its customers' growing data requirements. Access' customers include small and medium size business, multiple-location enterprise business, small office / home office (SOHO) and the residential market. To achieve this goal, Access has deployed a new MetaSwitch "Class 5 Softswitch". The softswitch will provide Access' customers with traditional "plain old telephone service" (POTS) and PBX (T1 / PRI) trunks as well as advanced features such as hosted PBX (IP Centrex), Voice VPN, Voice over IP (VoIP), distinctive ringing, simultaneous ringing, and other subscriber services.

Additionally, Occam Networks' Broadband Loop Carrier BLC 6000 has been chosen as the access equipment provider for the network. The BLC 6000 is a carrier-grade platform that will maximize broadband and VoIP services of the new network, resulting in a broader IP service offering at attractive customer price points. The equipment will be collocated in serving wire centers across Access' nine State southeastern US region.

In 2004, the prospect of higher network costs - recently confirmed by the Federal Communications Commission - as well as a desire to expand its range of service offerings, led Access to consider changing its network strategy.

Facility-based network arrangements offer companies like Access state-of-the-art connectivity, environmental and security standards without having to constantly build their infrastructure to meet the needs of their growing network.

"Our first priority of course was to maintain reliable service to our customers," said Vincent M. Oddo, Access' President and Chief Executive Officer. "At the same time, to ensure our long-term success, it was vital to lay a strong foundation for the future that would allow us to control our own destiny."

"After close evaluation of several proposed vendor solutions," said Chris Aversano, Vice President of Engineering and Operations at Access, "we quickly realized that the field-proven MetaSwitch and Occam solution would provide the quality and responsiveness our customers demand and deserve."

"MetaSwitch is rapidly establishing itself as the leading provider of facility-based switching equipment for competitive service providers, based on our ability to offer a true migration solution with enhanced applications," said Mike Ward, MetaSwitch Senior Vice President of Sales. "We are excited to be part of Access' plans for network growth and new services that will ensure the company's continued success."

"Occam is delighted to have been chosen by Access to transition its access network to a simpler, more cost-effective IP-based network that can provide more revenue generating services," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam. "Our ability to continue to add leading service providers like Access to our growing list of customers demonstrates the increasing importance of Ethernet and IP technologies in the telecommunications industry."

About Access Integrated Networks

Access Integrated Networks provides a telecommunications alternative to small business customers in more than 1,000 communities in the Southeast. Established in 1996, Access Integrated is a profitable, privately held Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) headquartered in Macon, GA. INC Magazine has recognized Access Integrated as a leading growth private company for 2004, achieving a ranking of #335. For more information visit www.accesscomm.com.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading vendor of Class 4/5 softswitch and enhanced applications solutions for packet and TDM networks. Its widely deployed call agent, media/signaling gateway and application server platform supports over 100 Class 5 features including CLASS services, IP Centrex, Unified Messaging, E911, LNP, 1-800 and CALEA, and scales from a few hundred to half a million subscribers in both integrated and distributed configurations. Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as well as operators of broadband wireless, cable and fiber networks.

MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology provider Data Connection Limited (DCL). The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.

About Occam

Occam® Networks Inc. develops and markets innovative Broadband Loop Carrier networking equipment that enable telephone companies to deliver voice, data and video services. Based on Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies, Occam's equipment allows telecommunications service providers to profitably deliver traditional phone services, as well as advanced voice-over-IP, residential and business broadband, and digital television services through a single, all-packet access network. Occam is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. Additional information can be found at www.occamnetworks.com.