Arrival Communications to Deploy MetaSwitch

Leading California CLEC to deploy VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch for Voice over Broadband Service

 

Alameda, CA: March 29, 2004. MetaSwitch, the leading provider of broadband Class 5 switching solutions, today announced that Arrival Communications is deploying the MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch to deliver broadband voice service to business customers. The MetaSwitch solution will complement Arrival's legacy Lucent VCDX Class 5 switching system in its existing markets, and also enable more flexible expansion into new markets. Arrival has over 12,000 subscriber lines serving small and medium-sized businesses in Tier 2 and 3 markets in California.

After a lengthy review of switch vendors, Arrival selected MetaSwitch because the VP3500 supports Voice over Broadband natively without external gateways and delivers true next generation services such as Web Self-Care. In addition, MetaSwitch's exceptional customer support was a deciding factor in the final decision.

"We believe that MetaSwitch offers an excellent next generation Class 5 switch solution, and they can meet Arrival's stringent requirements for reliability while providing a cost-effective model for growth," said Kidd Filby, Director of Network Engineering and Planning at Arrival Communications. "MetaSwitch is the vendor we believe is most capable of providing the full set of services our small business customers require, with a carrier-grade voice over broadband architecture. Initially, we looked at MetaSwitch for their impressive technology, but we have since come to appreciate the quality of support that they offer."

"We are very pleased to be selected by Arrival, one of the region's leading CLECs with a very successful business model," said John Lazar, MetaSwitch CEO. "Arrival is now in a position to streamline their access network and grow their business, without risking their reputation for network reliability and excellent customer service."

The MetaSwitch VP3500 is the leading broadband-enabled Next Generation Class 5 Switch in North America, with over 40 deployments, and support for VoIP, VoATM and GR303, as well as advanced Web-based subscriber services. Service providers are able to simultaneously serve customers in multiple calling areas with over 100 Class 5 features and services. The MetaSwitch VP3500 is easy to deploy and scales from 400 to over 250,000 subscribers in a single rack. Built-in CALEA support enables service providers to satisfy lawful intercept requirements.

About Arrival Communications

Arrival Communications is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), providing voice and data services to underserved cities throughout California. The company offers a full suite of business products including, SDSL and T1 broadband Internet access in addition to local, Centrex, long distance, toll free, and voice mail services on a single bill. Founded in 1991 and managed by a group of individuals with extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, the privately held company based in Bakersfield, California utilizes a highly trained, direct sales force to proactively design cost-effective voice and data solutions for small to medium sized companies. By focusing only on business accounts and maintaining a local presence, Arrival Communications can deliver greater personalized service and more billing flexibility than the traditional telephone company. For more information, visit the Arrival website at www.arrival.com.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch, a division of privately held Data Connection, is the result of over 20 years of experience supplying leading-edge technology to the telecommunications industry. Data Connection's track record of consistent profitability ensures long-term commitment to product development and customer support. The widely deployed MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch offers service providers an immediate solution for broadband (VoIP and/or VoATM) and POTS service and a future-proof "softswitch" architecture for enhanced applications.

MetaSwitch has offices in Alameda, CA, Dallas, TX and Reston, VA in the US and London, Chester and Edinburgh in the UK.

For more information, see www.metaswitch.com.