MetaSwitch Introduces Application Server for Unified Communications

San Jose, CA - Spring 2005 VON Conference & Expo: March 7, 2005. MetaSwitch, the leading independent vendor of Class 5 VoIP solutions, today further strengthened its product portfolio with the introduction of the UC9000 Unified Communications System. Adding a range of compelling SIP-based features to MetaSwitch's existing softswitch product line, the UC9000 is an extensible, standards-based platform targeted at service providers seeking to increase revenues from next generation services.

The initial release of the UC9000 includes Voicemail and Unified Messaging for "any message, any client" access, with support for Web, PDA, telephone and Outlook clients. A Web portal allows subscribers to manage their own messaging and personal telephone settings, plus easy configuration of business groups in the latest evolution of MetaSwitch's acclaimed "Web Self-Care" technology. Future releases planned for the coming year promise a range of enhanced services including auto attendant, personal call manager, attendant console, click-to-call, calling card/pre-pay and instant messaging. Such "sticky" services offer users increasingly sophisticated levels of control over multiple communication technologies, while carriers reap the rewards in customer loyalty and revenue growth.

"Carriers cite enhanced services as the primary motivator for migrating to next generation networks," commented Irwin Lazar, Senior Analyst at Burton Group (no relation to MetaSwitch CEO John Lazar). "However, this enthusiasm is tempered by the challenges involved in integrating softswitches and application platforms from multiple vendors. MetaSwitch's strategy of supplying an ever wider range of solutions therefore addresses a clear market need."

The MetaSwitch UC9000 has already won market acceptance. In addition to multiple trials, 5 carriers have placed orders prior to the official launch. One such customer, Missoula, Montana-based Blackfoot Telecommunications, is deploying the UC9000 system alongside a MetaSwitch CA9020 Call Agent and MG3510 Media Gateways for out-of-region expansion and replacement of its 22-exchange Nortel DMS-100 legacy switching network.

"We took a long, hard look at what is happening with VoIP turning our traditional business model upside-down," said Joan Mandeville, CEO of Blackfoot Telecommunications Group. "We realized we needed more than just a softswitch - we had to move to a more flexible network that would enable us to compete effectively both in our existing territory and out of region. With its combination of proven Class 5 VoIP and the UC9000 for enhanced services, MetaSwitch was clearly the partner we were looking for."

"We are excited at the potential for packet-based networks to completely transform the way people communicate," said Martin Taylor, MetaSwitch Vice President of Technology Strategy. "With our incredible breadth of in-house technology - from infrastructure protocols to call control, media processing and IP applications - MetaSwitch is strongly positioned to deliver on the promise of convergence."

Built on proven technology from MetaSwitch's parent company Data Connection, the UC9000's server farm architecture delivers carrier-class reliability and scalability to millions of users. Capacity can be expanded simply by adding low-cost servers, with automatic N+1 redundancy and seamless failover. Additionally the use of open interfaces and standards, including SIP and VXML, enables service providers to create their own services.

In addition to its robust functionality, a key advantage of the UC9000 Unified Communications System is that it is developed and supported by the same world-class engineering organization that built MetaSwitch's industry-leading Class 5 softswitch. This ensures guaranteed ongoing interoperability and a single point of contact for technical support - eliminating the deployment headaches service providers experience when integrating solutions from multiple vendors.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed 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 (DCL). The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.