Ribbon Session Border Controller 5000 Series Approved as Part of Microsoft Skype for Business JITC Certified Solution

Latest release of Ribbon’s carrier-class Application Server also now on the DISA Approved Products List
July 10, 2019

Westford, Mass Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN), a global software leader in secure and intelligent cloud communications solutions, today announced that its Session Border Controller (SBC) 5000 series has been certified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as part of a combined Microsoft Skype for Business solution and is now available for deployment by DoD agencies and within its communications network. The U.S. DoD Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) certification is the culmination of a stringent process that tests solutions for quality, security, interoperability and reliability. Once solutions have achieved JITC certification, they are placed on the DISA Approved Products List (APL). 

The SBC 5000 series works seamlessly with Microsoft Skype for Business to provide the DoD with secure, simplified and standardized real-time SIP-based multimedia sessions – including Voice over IP (VoIP) and video – for a true unified communications (UC) experience. The majority of Ribbon's software and appliance-based SBCs are available on the DISA APL and already certified for Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. 

"Adding our SBC 5000 series as part of the Microsoft Skype for Business JITC certified solution further solidifies Ribbon as a trusted and proven partner for delivering the secure and interoperable communications technology that the Department of Defense demands," said Tony Scarfo, Executive Vice President of Products, R&D, Support and Supply Chain, Ribbon. "We now have best-of-breed solutions for voice, video and desktop collaboration that are JITC certified, virtual and provide extensive SIP interoperability from Ribbon, Poly and Microsoft."

"The addition of the Ribbon SBC 5000 series to Microsoft's Skype for Business JITC certified solution allows us to deliver even more feature, functionality, flexibility and security capabilities to the DoD," said Bill Hartwell, Vice President of US Federal, Ribbon. "There is a high degree of interest by many legacy DoD and former Nortel PBX agencies to procure a straight-forward and cost-effective TDM to IP transformation solution."

In addition to SBCs, Ribbon is continuing to advance its Application Server (AS) platform for DoD deployments. The Ribbon AS platform release 12.1 completed JITC certification and is now available on the DISA APL. Ribbon's latest certified AS release enables the DoD to significantly reduce operational costs and assure communications investment protection by having a choice of SIP or Assured Services SIP (AS-SIP) endpoints (the DoD Information System Network's standard signaling protocol which provides end-to-end Assured Services) and carrier-class session control through open IP-based technology. The Ribbon AS 12.1 JITC certification includes support for Poly's latest line of VVX phones including the VVX 150, 250, 350 and 450 desktop voice clients, providing the DoD with more options for open SIP endpoints. 

"The Application Server certification allows end-users to maximize the security and interoperability of the Poly VVX phone series," said Darrius Jones, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Poly. "This important integration ensures Poly's solutions are seamlessly standardized with Ribbon AS 12.1 JITC certification as well as VoIP and video for a truly secure unified communications experience, which is crucial at the Federal level."

These latest solutions add to the growing list of Ribbon solutions already available on the APL including the SBC Software Edition (SWe), SBC 7000, SBC 5110, SBC 5210, Voice Exchange 900 (VX 900), G5 Media Gateway and the Application Server (as both an Enterprise and Local Session Controller).

Key Takeaways:

About Ribbon Communications

Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN) delivers market-leading software solutions that secure and power many of the world's leading service provider and enterprise communications environments. Built on world-class technology and intellectual property, the company's cloud-native solutions deliver intelligent and secure real-time communications solutions for the cloud, network and enterprise edge. Ribbon's Kandy Cloud real-time communications software platform delivers advanced and embedded CPaaS and UCaaS capabilities enabling service providers to rapidly create and deploy high-value communications services. To learn more, visit ribboncommunications.com.

About Poly

Plantronics, Inc. ("Poly" – formerly Plantronics and Polycom) (NYSE: PLT) is a global communications company that powers meaningful human connection and collaboration. Poly combines legendary audio expertise and powerful video and conferencing capabilities to overcome the distractions, complexity and distance that make communication in and out of the workplace challenging. Poly believes in solutions that make life easier when they work together and with our partner's services. Our headsets, software, desk phones, audio and video conferencing, analytics and services are used worldwide and are a leading choice for every kind of workspace. For more information, please visit: www.poly.com.

Poly, the propeller design, and the Poly logo are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  

The information in this release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including statement regarding delivering value to customers. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements. The actual results of Ribbon Communications may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Ribbon Communications' business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Ribbon Communications' most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent Ribbon Communications' views only as of the date on which such statement is made and should not be relied upon as representing Ribbon Communications' views as of any subsequent date. While Ribbon Communications may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Ribbon Communications specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

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