MetaSwitch VP2510 Receives RUS Listing, Enabling Rural Telcos to Stay Ahead of the Technology Curve

Alameda, CA: August 28, 2006. MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next-generation carrier switching and application solutions, announced today that its VP2510 Class 4/5 softswitch has received technical acceptance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The MetaSwitch VP2510 joins its larger stable mate, the VP3510, on the RUS Technical Standards Committee "A" (Telecommunications) "List of Materials".

The RUS provides technical guidance and financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to utilities seeking to deliver advanced technology to rural communities. As a result of the RUS technical acceptance, MetaSwitch's entire family of softswitches, scaling from the smallest end offices to large regional networks, is now authorized for use in the telecommunications systems of RUS borrowers.

"With rural telephone companies looking for ways to future-proof their networks and provide enhanced services at the same time, the cost-effective and scalable nature of a softswitch is an ideal choice," said Andrew Randall, vice president of marketing for MetaSwitch. "MetaSwitch technology is equally well suited for the next generation networks of rural and cooperative service providers as it is for networks operated by major carriers worldwide."

Focused on initiatives in rural communities throughout the United States, RUS provides financing for construction, procurement of equipment, and enhancements to the networks of primarily Independent Operating Companies (IOCs) and Rural Local Exchange Carriers (RLECs). With RUS acceptance, MetaSwitch's solutions can be the foundation for these IOCs to offer advanced broadband and telecommunications services to rural businesses and residences.

ComSpanUSA is a facilities-based CLEC headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon whose mission is to bring state-of-the-art communications services to the local communities it serves. Beginning in 2002 with an initial copper-based deployment, powered by a Nortel DMS 500 and a local fiber ring, the company quickly established itself as a force in its market area. ComSpanUSA provides a complete range of telephony and ISP-related services.

"We needed to make changes to support our growing and changing customer base, and with MetaSwitch field-proven technology, we upgraded our existing network to a platform that could carry us well into the future, as well as offer investment protection because of its use of open protocols and interfaces," said John Stadter, President, ComSpanUSA from ComSpan. "The MetaSwitch VP2510 delivers powerful native IP capabilities, and residential features and functionality. This enabled VoIP and Broadband services that not only put us ahead of the competition, but also helped us stay profitable."

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is an industry-leading vendor of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) switching and applications solutions for both packet and circuit-switched networks. Its widely deployed call agent, media/signaling gateway and application server platform supports a full range of legacy Class 4/5 capabilities and hosted unified communications services, and scales from a few hundred to millions of subscribers in both integrated and distributed configurations. 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 main U.S. offices in California and Virginia, and European headquarters in London, U.K. For more information: www.metaswitch.com.