Great Plains Picks GENBAND for First Steps in their IP Network Transformation Strategy

Plano, TX, November 3, 2010 – GENBAND, a leading developer of IP infrastructure and service solutions, today announced that Great Plains Communications, the largest private communications provider in Nebraska, will deploy GENBAND’s G2™ Compact Media Gateways as a first step in migrating their network to IP.

Initially, Great Plains will use G2 gateways for supporting both new and existing access products with Emergency Stand Alone (ESA) capabilities into legacy switches. This architecture allows the eventual re-homing of the equipment to a softswitch with only software re-provisioning and no hardware changes. G2 gateways will also be used in Great Plains’ cable properties, enabling their legacy switches to efficiently process customers’ voice service until their future transformation plans are executed.

“GENBAND’s G2 gateways give us the Emergency Stand Alone capabilities and functionality we need to deliver more reliable broadband multimedia services across our network," says John Greene, Chief Network Engineer, Great Plains Communications. "It also gives us the flexibility to support multiple IP and TDM applications, as well as the ability to perform trunking gateway, aggregation and packet line gateway functions in an IP call control environment.”

Under the agreement announced today, Great Plains will install approximately 20 G2 gateways, providing business continuity and enhanced reliability for end users by providing an ESA capability that allows Great Plains to deliver communication service even during a network outage or interruption. For example, if the uplink to the network is broken, the G2 continues to provide basic call routing and calling features to the lines that it serves. In addition, GENBAND G2 gateways will enable Great Plains Communications to comply with emergency calling regulations and to ensure optimal service performance in the event of a network failure or degradation.

“Great Plains delivers reliable, high-quality communications services to a growing base of subscribers throughout Nebraska, and GENBAND is pleased to provide flexible ESA capabilities to support their continued growth,” said Pablo Gargiulo, President of Global Sales, GENBAND. “By delivering robust emergency local calling capabilities, the G2 allows operators to seamlessly migrate to IP through the deployment of centralized, geographically dispersed softswitches or IMS cores with minimal risk. And, as we’ve seen with the implementation of Broadband Stimulus projects, operators are increasingly looking to GENBAND’s G-Series of media gateways to complement softswitch and access modernization.”

The G2 is GENBAND's Compact Media Gateway for Central Office/Point of Presence locations. Perfect for smaller IMS and Softswitch trunking, Class 5 Access Gateway or packet line gateway/ESA requirements, the G2 runs on proven software code and scales to 720 DSOs.

About Great Plains Communications
Great Plains Communications is now in its 4th generation of family ownership and is the largest privately-owned communications provider in Nebraska, serving nearly 30,000 customers in 80 rural communities. Great Plains Communications offers residential and business services such as digital phone including local and long-distance calling, as well as high-definition cable television. Broadband Internet is available in all Great Plains Communications’ communities through DSL or cable modem facilities or its partnership with WildBlue Satellite Internet Services.

About GENBAND
GENBAND is a global leader of IP infrastructure and service solutions, helping fixed, mobile and cable service providers around the world evolve communications networks through IP innovation. The Company offers market-leading Switching, Networking and Service solutions, with products deployed in over 600 customer networks spanning more than 80 countries. GENBAND is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and has operations in 50 countries. To learn more, visit us on the web at www.genband.com.

GENBAND, the GENBAND logo and icon are trademarks of GENBAND.

Contacts:
Kim Lee
GENBAND
+1.972.265.3766
kim.lee@genband.com

Jamie Moody
GENBAND
+1.972.684.7167
jamie.moody@genband.com