Metaswitch Establishes Interoperability Labs, Launches Metaswitch Interoperability Partner Program

Metaswitch Establishes Interoperability Labs, Launches Metaswitch Interoperability Partner Program 

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2001--Facilities in US and Europe welcomed by vendors including Efficient and ishoni

 In response to the growing requirement from service providers for "zero headache" interoperability between multiple vendors' products, MetaSwitch today announced the launch of the MetaSwitch Interoperability Partner Program.

 To facilitate the program, MetaSwitch has established a test laboratory in its Alameda, CA office, complementing the company's existing facilities in London, UK. Both facilities are open to any vendor seeking to test with MetaSwitch's VP3000 Broadband Voice Platform, potentially leading to qualification as a MetaSwitch Interoperability Partner.

 "This is an engineering-led, rather than a marketing-driven, initiative: the lab's primary purpose is to facilitate co-operation between vendors, both to verify established standards (such as the ATM Forum's Broadband Loop Emulation Service) and to rapidly iron out any wrinkles in new ones as they emerge," said John Lazar, MetaSwitch's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We see this move as complementing and enhancing multi-vendor events such as the OpenVoB CallFests, which we fully support."

 Expanding on the Interoperability Partner program, he revealed that "we will be following a detailed and comprehensive test plan, based on work done by OpenVoB, which covers the full range of broadband functionality, from dial-tone through to a range of CLASS services specific to the VP3000.

 Crucially, MetaSwitch Interoperability Partner status will only be granted to vendors who pass these tests and who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to interoperability based on open standards. The result is the strongest possible guarantee to service providers that the vendor's products interoperate with our own."

 The facilities will include Integrated Access Devices (IADs), DSL Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs), Voice Gateways, Softswitches, ATM, IP and SS7 network infrastructure and a range of terminal equipment including telephones, faxes and modems. MetaSwitch also plans to add direct SS7/PSTN connectivity, via the MetaSwitch VP3000's built-in Class 5/Softswitch functionality, in the coming months. The end result is a complete broadband telephony environment where vendors can test everything from basic signalling protocol interactions through to higher-level services such as Caller ID and Call Waiting.

 "Interoperability is a key concern for service providers, who have experienced deployment issues with the first wave of VoDSL products," said Pat Hurley, DSL Analyst at TeleChoice, Inc. "The good news is that these problems are being addressed by the growing acceptance of open standards, industry forums such as OpenVoB, and vendor-led programs like the one being announced today by MetaSwitch. Facilities like the ones MetaSwitch is making available both in North America and in Europe should be welcomed by vendors and service providers world-wide."

 "Efficient Networks is pleased to have become one of the first vendors to achieve Interoperability Partner status with MetaSwitch," said Steve Dunlap, Efficient Networks' Director of Business Development. "As our recent joint announcement of simultaneous voice, video and data services demonstrated, this initiative is already enabling us to co-operate closely with MetaSwitch and thereby meet our customers' requirements for reliable, toll-quality broadband services."

 "We appreciated the opportunity to use MetaSwitch's facilities to help verify that our DV2000 Broadband Engine is interoperable with Voice-over-Broadband standards," agreed Yong Lee, Senior Product Marketing Manager at ishoni Networks. "We were able to easily validate our implementation and rapidly prove interoperability. Certifying interoperability with other vendors is a central part of our product strategy, and becoming a MetaSwitch Interoperability Partner provides a significant boost to those efforts."

 Vendors seeking further information about the MetaSwitch Interoperability Partner Program, or wishing to schedule an interoperability test session, should contact Don Rosenbaum on (510) 748-8230, email dmr@metaswitch.com.

 About the MetaSwitch VP3000

 The award-winning MetaSwitch VP3000 integrated Broadband Voice Platform combines broadband voice gateway and Class 5 switching functions in a high density, carrier class system. The result is an extremely cost-effective VoDSL solution which does away with the requirement for an expensive Class 5 switch. Support for the ATM Forum's Broadband Loop Emulation Service (BLES) ensures interoperability with DSLAM and IAD devices from a wide range of vendors. In addition, the VP3000's future-proof softswitch architecture offers a clear upgrade path to Voice over IP and MPLS (VoIP/MPLS) and other broadband voice services, including wireless and cable.

 About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch was formed by Data Connection (DCL) to build best-of-breed solutions for Voice-over-DSL and other broadband voice requirements, based on the unrivaled software and hardware experience, expertise and technology that Data Connection has built up over nearly twenty profitable years supplying the most demanding Service Provider and equipment vendor customers.

MetaSwitch builds on the powerful foundation created by Data Connection, pulling together its massive ongoing investment in the technology required to build converged network solutions (ATM, SS7, MPLS, MGCP/H.248, SIP...), and new revenue-generating services (directory, unified messaging, data/audio/video conferencing). The MetaSwitch support and customer management infrastructure taps right into the deep reservoir of professionalism and experience Data Connection has developed by helping its large strategic customers deliver successful products and services.

MetaSwitch and Data Connection have offices in Alameda (California), Reston (Virginia), and Enfield (North London), Chester and Edinburgh in the UK. For information, email contact@metaswitch.com or visit www.\b metaswitch\b0 .com.

 About Efficient Networks

 Efficient Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EFNT) is a leading global provider of broadband Internet access products that employ digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. The company's voice and data access solutions enable high-performance network services for both small to mid-sized businesses and consumers. As part of its complete broadband solution, Efficient also provides network management systems that extend from the core of carriers' networks to the subscribers' desktops. Efficient works closely with network equipment vendors, incumbent and competitive carriers, and Internet service providers around the world. The company's goal is to accelerate the adoption of broadband networks and services. Efficient Networks is based in Dallas, Texas, with sales and support offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.efficient.com.

 About ishoni

 ishoni Networks builds "Broadband Engines for the New Internet" that allow OEMs to offer residential and business customers secure voice and Internet services over a single broadband connection. ishoni offers OEMs a silicon and software solution that allows them to more quickly, more easily and more affordably build broadband gateway products offering voice, data and security services. ishoni was founded in May 1998, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with a development site in Bangalore, India. For more information, visit ishoni Networks at www.ishoni.com.

 Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.