MetaSwitch Demonstrates "Multimedia-Enhanced Triple-Play" at NTCA Expo

San Diego, CA: February 7, 2006. Triple play, or the delivery of voice, data and video over a single broadband connection, is set to play an integral role in building the digital home. For this reason it is being tracked closely by everyone from consumers to service providers. And the foremost question on the mind of the incumbent telephone operators: How can we offer more than just a bundle of television, phone and Internet access to effectively compete and increase revenue streams? MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next generation carrier switching and applications solutions, will be tackling this very issue today, with a live technology demonstration at the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) Expo '06 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.

In partnership with leading industry vendors Calix, Optical Solutions, ADC and Tut Systems, MetaSwitch will be demonstrating a complete solution for IPTV, voice, data and enhanced subscriber services in a dedicated area of the exhibit hall called the "IP Solutions Pavilion" (Booth #411). The goal of the pavilion is to "unlock the mystery of IPTV" for both copper (ADSL2+) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks, by demonstrating proven interoperability between all the components of a triple-play network. These include standard and high-definition video, MPEG4 encoding, voice over IP and enhanced services - such as Web-based voicemail and telephony integration with the home PC - from MetaSwitch's award-winning UC9000 Unified Communications System. The result is a set of "multimedia-enhanced" triple-play services that will attract consumers, increase revenues and enable telephone companies to compete with new market entrants such as voice over broadband providers and cable companies.

A key element of the demonstrated multi-vendor solution is its support for both TDM protocols and next generation standards (including SIP and H.248) consistent with the emerging IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture, enabling a seamless migration path from TDM to IMS networks. Crucially, the MetaSwitch platform can deliver the same enhanced telephony services to legacy POTS subscribers as are available to broadband-enabled customers, rapidly increasing return on investment.

"MetaSwitch has a clear vision of multimedia-enhanced IP services, including IPTV, bridging the gap between legacy and next-generation multi-service networks in the process," said Andy Randall, MetaSwitch Vice President of Marketing. "The IP Solutions Pavilion at NTCA EXPO '06 presents a great opportunity for us, the vendors, to inform independent, rural operators about this technology and its application in their networks."

A special NTCA member breakfast prior to the demonstration will feature MetaSwitch customer Tri-County Telephone, who will share firsthand its triple-play deployment experience as well as lessons learned and best practices.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch (www.metaswitch.com) is an industry-leading vendor of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 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 legacy Class 4/5 capabilities and hosted unified communications services, and scales 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 established telecom technology provider Data Connection. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with main US offices in California and Virginia, and European headquarters in London, UK.

About NTCA

NTCA is the premier association representing more than 560 locally owned and controlled telecommunications cooperatives and commercial companies throughout rural and small-town America. NTCA provides its members with legislative, regulatory and industry representation; meetings; publications and educational programs; and an array of employee benefit programs. For more information about NTCA, visit www.ntca.org.

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.