MetaSwitch Reaches 150th IOC Customer Milestone

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 9, 2008) - IP Possibilities Conference and Expo -- MetaSwitch today announced that with its deployment with Ontario & Trumansburg Telephone Companies (OTTC), it is now providing the core softswitch technology for 150 independent operating companies (IOCs) in North America. MetaSwitch's platforms enable IOCs to deliver traditional telephony services to business and residential subscribers, as well as provide the foundation for the advanced platform of IMS-enabled services as the carriers migrate toward next-generation architectures.

More than a thousand IOCs, also known as rural local exchange carriers (RLECs), serve in excess of 20 million lines throughout the United States and Canada. Many purchase equipment through the USDA-administered Rural Utilities Service (RUS) funding program. MetaSwitch's commitment to the IOC market was established when it became the first VoIP-enabled Class 4/5 switch to qualify for RUS funding, and subsequently strengthened with the introduction of the MetaSwitch VP2510, an ultra-compact switching system built on the same software and hardware architecture as the company's fully distributed, highly scalable call agent and media gateway solution.

"We at MetaSwitch are proud of our position as the leading next generation switch vendor in the IOC market," said Graeme MacArthur, MetaSwitch's chief executive officer. "Our long-standing, unwavering commitment to these carriers is based upon a solid understanding of the challenges they currently face, as well as the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead as networks and services migrate to IMS."

OTTC, the largest independently owned telephone companies in New York State, are one of those that have seen the opportunities. It has invested in building a 300-mile fiber network, operated by subsidiary Finger Lakes Technologies Group, Inc. (FLTG), which extends from Ithaca to Rochester and towards the Western part of New York State. When it came to delivering reliable local dial-tone and long distance calling over this network, and providing the IP core for next-generation services such as unified messaging and conference bridging, FLTG turned to MetaSwitch.

"We were looking for a recognized, dependable vendor to team with and help us securely achieve our business goals for this significant investment," said Paul Griswold, president and CEO, OTTC and FLTG. "After extensive research and due diligence, we selected MetaSwitch's VP3510 Class 4/5 softswitch. Three months later, having now experienced first-hand the quality of the technology and the support team behind it, I can appreciate why MetaSwitch has become the platform of choice for IOCs and CLECs alike."

Reflecting on the significance of this deployment in MetaSwitch's history, Griswold added: "It was a nice surprise to find out that we were coincidentally the 150th IOC to have selected MetaSwitch. It is tremendously exciting to be part of this milestone achievement as MetaSwitch continues to expand its presence and reputation in the IOC community."

In the past six months, more than 25 IOCs have chosen MetaSwitch to provide a switching platform for traditional voice and advanced IP communications services. Independent operators now make up nearly half of MetaSwitch's customer base of more than 350 service providers, which includes global, national and regional incumbent and competitive carriers, as well as cable operators.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is an industry-leading vendor of switching and applications solutions for both packet and circuit-switched networks. Its MetaSphere applications suite enables a broad set of hosted IP communications services, while its core session control and media/signaling gateway products support a full range of Class 4/5 softswitch capabilities. Customers include many of the world's leading operators of wireline, wireless and cable networks, with deployments that scale to millions of subscribers. For more information, please visit www.metaswitch.com.

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright © 2008 Data Connection Limited.

Contact Information: Contact: Carol Daniels MetaSwitch +1 (510) 589-5074 chd@metaswitch.com Erin Grohs Connect2 Communications for MetaSwitch +1 (919) 554 3532 x5 egrohs@connect2comm.com