Covista Communications Selects MetaSwitch For Its 200,000-Subscriber Local & Long-Distance Network

Leading Nationwide Carrier Adopts Softswitch and Enhanced Services Platform to Fuel Network Expansion, Reduce Operating Costs

 

Orlando, FL: October 12, 2005. Today at CompTel/ASCENT Fall 2005, Covista Communications (OTCBB:CVST), one of the nation's leading telecommunications carriers, announced that it will integrate a next generation network based on industry-leading switching and applications technology from MetaSwitch into its local and long distance network infrastructure.

With more than 200,000 subscribers and switching centers in three major metropolitan areas, Covista operates an extensive local and long distance network. The transition to packet-based switching with MetaSwitch's award-winning Class 4/5 distributed softswitch and UC9000 hosted IP applications platform is designed to reduce network operating costs and facilitate new services including IP Centrex and a Web portal for unified communications. It will also remove Covista's dependence on the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) for the company's remaining subscribers still currently served by RBOC switching facilities.

"Following the successful launch of our KISS (Keep It Simple and Save) bundled local and long distance product three years ago, Covista has increased its bundled services revenue by more than 30% each year," said John Leach, Covista CEO. "After extensive research and strategic planning regarding the direction we wanted to take our business, we selected MetaSwitch as the platform on which to grow. Of the many vendors evaluated, MetaSwitch was the only one to offer the combination of a robust switching architecture scalable to large distributed carrier networks, the myriad legacy features essential for a smooth migration, and compelling innovative applications to attract new residential and business subscribers. They also brought the expertise to make it all happen."

In addition to technology, MetaSwitch has provided Covista with professional services to assist and advise with the management, planning, design and implementation of this major technology deployment.

"Few carriers - or even vendors - have practical knowledge of what it takes to deploy a successful end-to-end next generation network," said Mike Ward, MetaSwitch Senior Vice President of Sales. "MetaSwitch leads the industry with more than 150 systems in the field delivering packet-based Class 4 and Class 5 services, many with carriers of a similar size and profile to Covista. MetaSwitch Professional Services Team therefore brings valuable real-world experience to Covista, to ensure their success."

About Covista Communications

Covista is a facilities-based provider of telecommunications services with a substantial customer base, principally residential and small sized businesses. Its products and services include a broad range of voice, data and Internet solutions, including long distance and toll-free services, local dial tone and features, calling cards, frame relay, Internet access, VPN, directory assistance and teleconferencing services. Covista currently owns and operates switches in Chattanooga, Dallas and Minneapolis. Covista operates Network Operation, call center and information technology facilities in Chattanooga to monitor its switched network and to coordinate its various services. For information on becoming a Covista customer, please telephone 800-805-1000 or visit the Company's website at www.covista.com.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed VP3500 Series Class 5 Softswitch supports over 100 Class 5 features including CLASS services, IP Centrex, E911, LNP, 1-800 and CALEA, and scales from a few hundred to half a million subscribers. 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. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.