MetaSwitch Expands Softswitch Portfolio

Alameda, CA: February 14, 2005. MetaSwitch, the leading independent vendor of Class 5 VoIP softswitch solutions, today announced an extension to its portfolio of softswitch products with the introduction of a new high-capacity call agent server, the CA9020. In addition, it announced that the widely-deployed VP3510 chassis is now available as a standalone media gateway and/or signaling gateway, enhancing the vendor's distributed softswitch solution set. The move makes MetaSwitch the first vendor to offer both call agent options of an integrated media gateway chassis, or an open server platform.

In a softswitch network architecture, the call agent (also sometimes known as a media gateway controller) performs the call processing functions including service intelligence, call routing logic, lawful interception, control of subtended media/signaling gateways, and billing. The MetaSwitch Call Agent software, running on either the CA9020 or the VP3510, performs all of these functions, delivering over 100 Class 5 subscriber services alongside a broad range of Class 4 STP/tandem capabilities. Supported protocols include SIP, MGCP, H.248 and SIGTRAN (SS7 and ISDN over IP/SCTP). Conformance to softswitch standards, including the Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) Release°2 Architecture, enables mix-and-match deployment with third party media and signaling gateways, as verified at the recent Global MSF Interoperability event.

The CA9020 Call Agent is capable of up to 1 million busy hour call attempts (BHCA) in a server just 2U high, making it one of the densest call processing units available. The solution will be particularly attractive to larger carriers deploying distributed softswitch networks for consolidation of central offices up to 250,000 subscribers. In addition, the CA9020 supports 8 physical Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, allowing for secure network engineering with physically separate IP domains for control, media and management.

The new Call Agent server runs the same software load as the popular VP3510 Compact Class 5 Softswitch, confirming MetaSwitch's continued commitment to both the integrated softswitch and distributed call agent / media gateway deployment models. In addition, service providers who have deployed the VP3510 can easily move to the CA9020 thanks to automated installation and migration tools.

The move has been welcomed by MetaSwitch's existing customers, as well as service providers who have evaluated the new platform. Broadview Networks, a major competitive service provider with more than 250,000 customer access lines in the northeastern United States, is one of several that have been trialing a beta release of the MetaSwitch platform prior to its general availability.

"A distributed softswitch architecture makes a lot of sense in large and growing networks." said Ken Shulman, Chief Technology Officer at Broadview Networks. "Our experience with the MetaSwitch platform has been very smooth and appears to be a solid fit for our requirements. It seems that MetaSwitch has got the implementation right, which is consistent with our experience of their exceptionally solid and talented engineering organization."

"Yet again, MetaSwitch has reliably delivered a key product release on schedule, a track record which is gaining us respect and loyalty among a rapidly-growing customer base," commented John Lazar, MetaSwitch CEO.

Industry analysts agree that MetaSwitch is delivering on a significant milestone commitment. "Most next generation switch vendors have designed their products either for the small carriers, or for the major incumbent telephone companies - but not both," said Teresa Mastrangelo, Program Director - Broadband Network Strategies, RHK. "MetaSwitch's integrated softswitch platform has gained widespread market acceptance among the tier 2 and 3 service providers. The introduction of the CA9020 is likely to broaden MetaSwitch's appeal to larger regional and national carriers looking to migrate to a distributed softswitch architecture."

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.