EATEL Selects MetaSwitch for Converged Voice and Data Services Architecture

Innovative regional network operator creates attractive, high-value converged service offerings with MetaSwitch at its core

Alameda, CA: April 12, 2007. MetaSwitch announced today that EATEL has deployed its core switching solutions and innovative unified communications platforms to roll out a portfolio of advanced, converged services to business and residential customers. EATEL, one of the fastest-growing service providers in the Gulf South, is already bundling a digital suite of high-speed Internet access, high-definition television with TV On Demand, and phone services. EATEL is adding to this mix with a range of enhanced IP services, the first of which to have been launched is TV Caller ID. TV Caller ID is an innovative offering that informs users via their television who is calling prior to the first ring.

"We are building a robust suite of blended next-generation voice, video and data services and needed a highly evolved platform. MetaSwitch provided the ideal solution for us to build from," said Ashley Phillips, Director of Network Engineering & Operations for EATEL. "We were able to seamlessly transition 100 percent of our fiber-to-the-home customer base to the MetaSwitch platform in under 30 days, which is a significant testament to the company's commitment to our success."

EATEL is actively building its fiber-to-the-home network as a means to deliver high-value "sticky" residential services that blend together traditional phone services with video and data services. The first service launched with the MetaSwitch platform is TV Caller ID. TV Caller ID is the new free service from EATEL that puts caller information directly on the residential customer's TV screen where it is most convenient. TV Caller ID is part of EATEL's innovative FiberEdge TV and phone services, and available to any customer with regular phone Caller ID. EATEL's TV Caller ID is an example of how FiberEdge services work together, providing customers with unique features and compelling costs saving unavailable from alternative phone or cable providers.

"MetaSwitch is the ideal partner for service providers that want to introduce truly innovative, customer-friendly services into their networks," said Andrew Randall, vice president of marketing at MetaSwitch. "Engineered from the ground up to support next-generation voice, video and data services, MetaSwitch's core switching and unified communications platforms are being used by carriers like EATEL to quickly and cost effectively develop, market and deliver the next wave of high-performance, high-value network-based services."

About EATEL

EATEL is a privately owned communications company headquartered in Ascension Parish. Founded in 1935, the company provides services to residents in Ascension and Livingston areas and is the only company in South Louisiana to offer telephone, Internet and television services over an all-fiber communications network. Company executives are available to corporations and associations for speaking engagements and workshops related to fiber-to-the-home technologies, telecommunications issues and broadband networks and applications. For more information on EATEL and FiberEdge services, visit www.eatel.com.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is an industry-leading vendor of switching and applications solutions for both packet and circuit-switched networks. Its widely deployed call agent, media/signaling gateway and application server platform supports a full range of Class 4/5 capabilities and hosted unified communications services. Based on open standards including IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), MetaSwitch solutions scale from a few hundred to millions of 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 Data Connection, a consistently profitable and privately held telecom technology provider. For more information: www.metaswitch.com.