MetaSwitch Inks Agreement to Resell Acme Packet Session Border Controllers
Market leaders in IP communications form relationship focused on removing barriers to the deployment of next-generation network services
MetaSwitch Forum 2009, Las Vegas, NV: April 8, 2009. Acme Packet® (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, and MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next-generation carrier switching and application solutions, today announced that they are building upon their long-term interoperability relationship by entering into a reseller agreement.
Together MetaSwitch's core networking products and Acme Packet's SBCs offer a fully-supported joint solution with proven interoperability and closely coordinated customer support, removing any hurdles and uncertainty for service providers making the transition to a next-generation IP network. When combined, these network elements provide core session control, media/signaling gateway, application server and SBC functions, and scale to meet the network migration requirements of service providers of all sizes.
"As demonstrated by this new agreement, MetaSwitch and Acme Packet are committed to providing carriers with a comprehensive, secure solution for applications ranging from basic VoIP service to advanced, interactive IP communications solutions," said Seamus Hourihan, vice president of marketing and product management. "Building standalone voice, video and multimedia services over IP network islands is not sufficient. Instead, services must be built and interconnected in a way that ensures security and peak performance end-to-end."
Over 50 service providers have already deployed joint Acme Packet and MetaSwitch solutions, including CLECs Engage Communications and Aero Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Computer Services Inc. (CSI).
Engage, a CLEC based in the Florida Keys, provides Internet services to hospitality clients and small and medium businesses. Engage installed MetaSwitch's Class 4/5 call agent and media gateway products to deliver hosted IP PBX, legacy and advanced services to its customers without the expense of premises equipment and maintenance that legacy systems require. Working with MetaSwitch, Engage chose Acme Packet's Net-Net SBCs because of the ease of interconnection, Acme Packet's proven NAT-traversal capabilities and the ability to protect the core of the MetaSwitch-powered network from denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
"By working with MetaSwitch, we found the right Acme Packet solution, and as a result, we've been able to expand our service offerings to our customers," said Brad Nye, CEO for Engage Communications. "Through this partnership we are not only able to offer a broader selection of advanced services, but we can do so knowing we are providing a secure and reliable solution for our customers."
Aero Communications, a wholly owned division of Computer Services, Inc (CSI), is a CLEC based in Paducah, Kentucky, that provides wholesale legacy and VoIP services as well as commercial services to banks through its parent company CSI. Aero began using the MetaSwitch call agent, media gateways and MetaSphere application suite in order to replace its aging legacy Class 5 switches and offer its customers both legacy and IP services. MetaSwitch helped Aero select Acme Packet's Net-Net SBCs because of seamless integration with MetaSwitch and also its ability to provide complete regulatory compliance.
"We rely on agreements like MetaSwitch's and Acme Packet's for the future of our telecommunications business," said Brian Glover, general manager for Aero Communications. "As a CLEC, it's important for us to have partners that provide us with the support, technology and regulation insight we need as we make the transition to interactive IP voice services."
"The depth of partnership between Acme Packet and MetaSwitch can only be achieved when both parties are as committed as we both are to working together to bring about the smooth migration to next-generation services," said Andy Randall, vice president of marketing for MetaSwitch. "When our extensive experience in deploying multi-vendor networks is combined with Acme Packet's knowledge of carrier-class SBCs and IP internetworking, we provide the critical elements necessary to deliver reliable new revenue streams."
Acme Packet is a Gold Sponsor and exhibitor at the MetaSwitch Forum in Las Vegas from April 6th - 9th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Ray Dequiroz, global technical director for Acme Packet will present the session, "Protecting, Perfecting, and Profiting with SBCs," at the forum on Wed., April 8th at 1:00pm.
About Acme Packet
Acme Packet, Inc. (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first-class interactive communications - voice, video and multimedia sessions - and data services across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers, multiservice security gateways and session routing proxies supports multiple applications in service provider, large enterprise and contact center networks - from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols - SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS, H.248 and RTSP - and multiple border points - interconnect, access and data center. Our products have been selected by more than 635 customers in 92 countries, including 29 of the top 30, and 89 of the top 100 service providers in the world. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit www.acmepacket.com.
About MetaSwitch
MetaSwitch is a leading provider of carrier systems and software solutions that are powering the migration of communications networks to open, packet-based architectures. Hundreds of network operators worldwide depend on its Carrier Division for reliable, scalable session control, media gateway and application/feature server solutions to enable compelling revenue-generating services. Its Network Protocols Division, marketed under the Data Connection brand (www.dataconnection.com), develops high performance, portable software components that are integrated into the products of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.metaswitch.com.
Acme Packet Safe Harbor Statement
Statements contained herein that are not historical fact may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may relate, among other things, to our position in the session border control market, our expected financial and operating results, our ability to establish and maintain intellectual property rights, our ability to build and grow Acme Packet, the benefits and advantages of our products, including any enhancements or new features, services and programs and our ability to achieve our goals, plans and objectives. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These include, but are not limited to: difficulties in growing our customer base, difficulties leveraging market opportunities, difficulties providing solutions that meet the needs of customers, poor product sales, long sales cycles, difficulty developing new products, difficulty in relationships with vendors and partners, higher risk in international operations, difficulty managing rapid growth, and increased competition. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings.
MetaSwitch is a registered trademark. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.