MetaSwitch Demonstrates Softswitch for PSTN Migration at Global MSF Interoperability Event

MetaSwitch VP3500 Series Softswitch successfully performs H.248, SIP, MGCP and SS7 interoperability

 

London, UK and Alameda, CA: October 14, 2004. MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of Class 5 softswitch solutions, has successfully demonstrated H.248, SIP, MGCP and SS7 interoperability at the Global Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) Interoperability event, GMI 2004. A MetaSwitch VP3500 Series Softswitch, comprised of a MetaSwitch Media/Signaling Gateway and separate MetaSwitch Call Agent, was located at British Telecom's GMI facilities in Ipswich and successfully interoperated with call agent, media gateway, access gateway and customer premise equipment from multiple vendors.

The GMI 2004 event, conducted simultaneously in North America, Europe and Asia, showcased global interoperability of the MSF architecture as referenced in the Release 2 Architecture document, the guidelines provided to service providers and their suppliers to enable the evolution of their networks toward a multi-vendor, multi-service switched network. Tests included the H.248 UK Access Gateway Implementation Agreement, which was recently published by the MSF as an example of how national PSTN variations can be accommodated in a multi-vendor H.248 network. MetaSwitch was one of 29 participants, including a number of major carriers, who came together to test the MSF Release 2 Architecture.

"MetaSwitch is committed to the development of interoperable standards, and GMI 2004 demonstrates that we really can deliver a reliable and full-function solution for migration of PSTN networks, including all the complexities of regional variations - and do all that in a multi-vendor environment," said John Lazar, CEO at MetaSwitch.

"The MSF has a unique focus on the practical issues in ensuring a multi-vendor VoIP network delivers the benefits of voice/data convergence and the distributed softswitch architecture," added Paul Brittain, Senior Product Manager at MetaSwitch. "The value of the MSF's work was clearly demonstrated by how quickly and easily we were able to integrate with access gateways built to the MSF H.248 UK Access Gateway Interoperability Agreement, such as the Fujitsu GeoStream Access Gateway, to deliver full UK PSTN services. We were also able to interoperate seamlessly between H.248, SIP, MGCP and legacy SS7 network equipment, giving carriers the ability to mix-and-match protocols and equipment to suit their service needs."

MetaSwitch's Class 5 Softswitch product suite provides multiple components of the MSF architecture, including Call Agent, Media Gateway, Media Gateway Controller and Signaling Gateway. The result is a true carrier-class solution that meets service providers' requirement to deploy revenue-generating services today while migrating towards a next generation network architecture.

About GMI 2004

Global MSF Interoperability (GMI) 2004 tests a deployable and operationally ready VoIP network with Services, Applications, Network Management, enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) and Security features. Continuing until October 16, GMI 2004 is hosted by major carriers in North America, the UK, Japan, and Korea. Each test site is connected by live network facilities, creating a realistic test environment to examine the interoperability and deployment of multi-service next generation networks on a global scale. GMI 2004 includes application servers, media servers, service brokers, call agents, bandwidth managers and other control and management systems against the specific protocols defined in MSF Interoperability Agreements (IAs).

About the MSF

The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) is a global association of service providers and system suppliers committed to developing and promoting open-architecture, multiservice switching systems. Founded in 1998, the MSF is an open-membership organization comprised of the world's leading telecommunications companies. The MSF's activities include developing implementation agreements, promoting worldwide compatibility and interoperability, and encouraging input to appropriate national and international standards bodies. For more information about the MSF and its members, visit the MSF web site at http://www.msforum.org/.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed VP3500 Series 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. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.