New Sonus Session Border Controllers Release Delivers Key Skype for Business Functionality

Sonus Introduces Release 5.0 of the Sonus SBC 1000 and Sonus SBC 2000

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2015

Key Takeaways:

Sonus announces Release 5.0 of the Sonus SBC 1000 and Sonus SBC 2000 Session Border Controllers (SBCs).
Feature update delivers key Skype for Business functionality, such as Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA) support and presence interworking for non-Skype for Business phones.
The SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 are fully tested to ensure interoperability with the Sonus IQ for Skype for Business solution.
Release 5.0 of the SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 delivers additional enhancements to enable and secure real-time Internet Protocol (IP) communications, including WebUI simplifications, NAT/RTP latching and direct media support.

WESTFORD, Mass. – Sonus Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONS), a global leader in enabling and securing real-time communications, today introduced new software updates to the Sonus SBC 1000 and Sonus SBC 2000 Session Border Controllers (SBCs), designed to deliver key Skype for Business functionality as well as strategic enhancements devoted to simplify use, improve call support and bolster security during real-time Internet Protocol (IP) communications. Sonus is focused on helping enterprises optimize Microsoft Skype for Business Enterprise Voice deployments by securing Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking services at the network border and providing a more seamless flow of real-time communications.

Increased Skype for Business Functionality

Sonus — a Microsoft Gold Communications Partner — continues to provide the same no-compromise support that it has delivered for Microsoft Lync Enterprise Voice with Skype for Business Enterprise Voice, by providing features to further simplify, enable and secure real-time communications within Skype for Business environments.

Previously, users did not have the ability to view presence of non-Lync phones within their contacts list. With Release 5.0, the SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 report presence information for clients using non-Skype for Business endpoints. This functionality generates greater productivity and time savings by allowing users to see if their desired contact is engaged in a call or available. Release 5.0 also provides clarity to the dialing party during call setup with the delivery of the connected party’s name, enabling users to easily identify the employee or group they are speaking to within an enterprise.

Additionally, Sonus provides Skype for Business Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA) support ensuring that real-time communications are delivered even if the wide area network (WAN) goes down. The SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 update includes wizard enhancements that simplify configuration to further streamline the provisioning of real-time communication services between Skype for Business, common SIP trunking solutions, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), IP Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and Foreign eXchange Office (FXO) clients.

The SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 are designed to interoperate with Sonus IQ for Skype for Business — an intelligent, scalable, vendor agnostic solution architected to enable and secure Microsoft Skype for Business Enterprise Voice deployments — whether Office 365 hybrid or on-premise.

Simple, Secure Real-Time Communications

With the advent of SIP-based Unified Communications (UC) and the increasing number of remote workers, management and security for communications network have become increasingly complex. Sonus’ software update provides augmentations to the SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 devoted to simplify the deliverance of secure real-time communications for medium sized business and branch offices, globally.

By offering WebUI simplifications, end users can now quickly identify and manage SIP registered users. Additionally, with NAT Traversal/RTP Latching, calls are supported between enterprise parties and remote users using home routers and gateways to allow employees the flexibility to communicate securely — anywhere, anytime. Release 5.0 also offers direct media between call parties to optimize network bandwidth when media requires no SBC manipulation, helping the enterprise reduce network infrastructure costs.

Quote:

“The SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 are architected to help medium sized businesses and branch offices safely and cost-effectively embrace the transition to Skype for Business Enterprise Voice,” said David Tipping, vice president and general manager, Products, Sonus. “The software updates to these products give IT managers peace of mind by simplifying use, improving call support and optimizing security.”

Other Facts:

Sonus Technical Assistance Centers and Professional Services are available 24/7/365 to assist with Skype for Business Enterprise Voice deployments.
Sonus commissioned the Tolly Group to evaluate the SBC 1000 compared to competitors. Tolly found that the SBC 1000 provides significant additional call capacity, performance reliability, a Web GUI that simplifies SBC setup and Microsoft Lync integration and a compelling feature set. Click here for the full Tolly report.

Additional Resources:

Click here for information on the Sonus SBC portfolio.
Click here for a copy of Sonus’ Skype for Business for Dummies.
Click here for a copy of Sonus’ Session Border Controllers for Dummies.
Click here for information on Sonus IQ for Skype for Business.

Tags/Keywords: Sonus Networks, SONS, Session Border Controller, SBC, SBC 1000, SBC 2000, Skype for Business, Sonus IQ, Sonus IQ for Skype for Business About Sonus: Sonus brings intelligence and security to real-time communications. By helping the world embrace the next generation of cloud-based SIP and 4G/LTE solutions, Sonus enables and secures latency-sensitive, mission critical traffic for VoIP, video, instant messaging and online collaboration. With Sonus, enterprises can give priority to real-time communications based on smart business rules while service providers can offer reliable, comprehensive and secure on-demand network services to their customers. With solutions deployed in more than 100 countries and nearly two decades of experience, Sonus offers a complete portfolio of hardware-based and virtualized Session Border Controllers (SBCs), Diameter Signaling Controllers (DSCs), Network-as-a-Service capabilities, policy/routing servers and media and signaling gateways. For more information, visit www.sonus.net or call 1-855-GO-SONUS. Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: The information in this release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Although Sonus believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Sonus' business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of Sonus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent Sonus' views only as of the date on which such statement is made, and should not be relied upon as representing Sonus' views as of any subsequent date. While Sonus may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Sonus specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. For More Information: Wendy Tullo, +1-978-614-8167 wtullo@sonusnet.com