MetaSwitch Next Generation Class 5 Switch Wins First BTexact Blue Stamp

MetaSwitch VP3000 is first product to be awarded Blue Stamp accreditation against SS7 protocol

Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, the leading supplier of high-performance telecommunications solutions, and BTexact Technologies, BT's advanced research and technology business, announced today that the MetaSwitch VP3000 Next Generation Class 5 Switch is the first voice switch to have passed BTexact Technologies' new 'Blue Stamp' accreditation process against the SS7 protocol. The MetaSwitch products form part of Fujitsu's complete voice-over-DSL solution, integrating with the Fujitsu FDX xDSL access platform.

Recognised and approved by BT Wholesale, Bt's applications and network business, 'Blue Stamp' tests verify that telecom equipment operates correctly to relevant international and UK standards and protocols, such as SS7 and SDH, and will work reliably when connected into networks that contain other manufacturers' products. Successful completion of the tests results in equipment being granted Blue Stamp accreditation, indicating that it is suitable for connection to Bt's networks, subject, in certain cases, to a final check to ensure it is correctly installed and configured. The introduction of Blue Stamp allows telecom equipment manufacturers to gain accreditation for their products prior to approaching potential customers.

The MetaSwitch VP3000 delivers a rich set of subscriber services over both legacy and broadband access lines, with exceptional levels of reliability and performance. 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.

Stewart Davies, chief executive of BTexact Technologies, said: "For the MetaSwitch VP3000, award of Blue Stamp accreditation recognised the successful completion of a wide range of tests selected to prove the switch's ability to operate correctly as a part of the UK PSTN via SS7 UK-ISUP signalling. The tests, conducted in our unique UK PSTN reference environment at our Adastral Park headquarters, also verified that the VP3000 would give appropriate responses to error conditions elsewhere in a network."

As part of its programme to integrate best-of-breed solutions with its own product base and in order to deliver a complete turnkey network package, Fujitsu has a long-standing strategic partnership with MetaSwitch. Commenting for Fujitsu on the importance of this approval, Marc Curtis, Marketing Director of Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd said: "Fujitsu and MetaSwitch have been working together for more than 2 years to design and develop a broadband voice solution for the UK. The award of Blue Stamp accreditation by BTexact is further evidence of the success of our partnership and of our complete broadband voice solution. Being able to deliver PSTN-quality voice, in combination with data and video services, is fundamental to the wider take-up of DSL-based broadband services in the UK."

Paul Brittain, product manager for MetaSwitch, added: "We are delighted that BTexact has validated that the MetaSwitch SS7 interface delivers PSTN-quality services for voice over broadband subscribers. The testing performed is very thorough and we fully expect trouble-free interconnection to the UK PSTN for the end-to-end voice solution provided by Fujitsu and MetaSwitch. With the VP3000 carriers can seamlessly migrate from ATM-based to IP-based access and backbone networks without affecting their voice services."

About Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe

Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited is the largest supplier of Broadband Access equipment in the United Kingdom and is Fujitsu's worldwide design location for access network solutions - including a centre of excellence for the development of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology.

Headquartered in Birmingham, UK, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe is focused on providing strategic end-to-end solutions, supported by complete turnkey services. Fujitsu is playing a fundamental role in the creation of "Broadband Britain" - from world-leading products and technology, through project planning, community liaison, cable laying and civil engineering, to installation, implementation and ongoing maintenance. For more information, please visit: www.ftel.co.uk

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch, a division of Data Connection, is the result of 21 years of experience at the cutting edge of the telecommunications industry, helping to define industry standards and supplying best-in-breed implementations to major vendors and service providers. Data Connection's track record of consistent profitability ensures long-term commitment to product development and customer support. The MetaSwitch VP3000 and VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switches offer 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 London, Chester and Edinburgh in the UK, and Alameda, CA, Dallas, TX and Reston, VA in the US.

For more information, see www.metaswitch.com

About BTexact Technologies

BTexact Technologies, Bt's advanced research and technology business, offers expertise and experience in communications technology and e-business, backed by a team of more than 3,000 technologists and one of the world's largest communications research and development facilities. As the centre of technical expertise for the BT Group, BTexact has established a record of world-first achievement and of successful delivery of projects, large and small. It has also created an intellectual property portfolio of some 14,000 patents based on almost 2,000 inventions, some of which are being converted into valuable new businesses by BTexact's Brightstar incubator.

BTexact helps businesses and organisations inside and outside BT Group gain maximum advantage from communications technology. It creates value and competitive advantage by combining a deep knowledge of networks and networked applications with proven skills in business consulting, change management and innovation. Its services are focused to help customers assess the value and performance of communication technologies and systems, identify potential risks and ensure they gain maximum advantage from investments in communications technologies and applications.

BTexact's employees include many who are world leaders in their specialist fields, working at the forefront of standards development and new technologies in areas including multimedia, IP and data networks, mobile communications, network design and management, and business applications. Services are offered to customers directly or through world-class business partners, which include BT Group businesses such as BT Retail, BT Wholesale and BT Ignite.

BTexact is headquartered at Adastral Park, at one end of the Cambridge-2-Ipswich Hi Tech Corridor, and is a founder member of the Cambridge Network. It has offices and laboratories worldwide including locations across the UK and in Asia, continental Europe, and North America.

For more information about BTexact Technologies, please go to www.btexact.com.

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