Sonus Networks Expands Operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa
ITU Telecom World 2003 Stand 4137, Hall 4
Sonus Networks Appoints Sales Management for Southern Europe and U.K.
WESTFORD, Mass., and GENEVA, October 15, 2003 – Sonus Networks (Nasdaq: SONS), a leading provider of carrier packet voice infrastructure solutions, today announced it has expanded its sales operations in Europe with the appointment of regional sales directors in France and the United Kingdom. Sonus has appointed Jean-Michel Laguzzi as Sonus' regional sales director for southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Paul Hancock as regional sales director for the U.K.
Sonus' new regional sales operations complement its EMEA headquarters operations, which are located in Swindon, UK. Sonus established its EMEA operations in March 2000 to serve the EMEA service provider market, including national PTTs, wireless providers and next-generation carriers throughout Europe. The announcement of Sonus' new EMEA sales directors follows closely on the company's announcement of its latest European customer, Oni Telecom. Portugal-based Oni is deploying Sonus' packet voice solutions to offer residential and corporate customers a variety of telephony services, including local and long distance voice services, as well as enhanced services such as voice VPN (virtual private network).
"The appointment of our new sales directors for southern Europe and the U.K. enables us to broaden our presence in the region and is integral to our strategy to further gain market share in Europe," commented Michael O'Hara, vice president, marketing, Sonus Networks. 'Sonus' continued EMEA expansion will enable the company to further support its existing customers as they build global packet voice infrastructures and establish new relationships with carriers in Europe."
Joining Sonus to manage the company's EMEA regional operations are telecom industry veterans Jean-Michel Laguzzi and Paul Hancock. In their new positions, both Laguzzi and Hancock will be responsible for the sales, support and marketing of Sonus' voice infrastructure solutions. Laguzzi joins Sonus from Nortel Networks, where he was most recently the EMEA GPRS product marketing manager. Previously, he served as account director for Nortel's Content Networking Business Unit. Prior to Nortel, Laguzzi held a variety of sales management positions with Eicon Networks in France.
Before joining Sonus, Hancock served as the EMEA solutions director for VPN and WAN solutions with Avaya Communications. Prior to his employment with Avaya, Hancock held the position of EMEA account director with Nortel Networks. Hancock has also held EMEA sales management positions with Alteon Web Systems, Global One and Sabre Telecommunications Ltd.
About Sonus Networks
Sonus Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of packet voice infrastructure solutions for wireline and wireless service providers. With its Open Services Architecture (OSA), Sonus delivers end-to-end solutions addressing a full range of carrier applications, including trunking, residential access and Centrex, tandem switching, and IP voice termination, as well as enhanced services. Sonus' award-winning voice infrastructure solutions, including media gateways, softswitches and network management systems, are deployed in service provider networks worldwide. Sonus, founded in 1997, is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts. Additional information on Sonus is available at http://www.sonusnet.com.
This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Sonus that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the "Cautionary Statements" section of Sonus' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 2003 and filed with the SEC, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, among others, the adverse effect of recent developments in the telecommunications industry, the weakened financial position of many service providers, Sonus' ability to grow its customer base, dependence on new product offerings, market acceptance of its products, rapid technological and market change and manufacturing and sourcing risks. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Sonus' views only as of today 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.
Sonus is a registered trademark of Sonus Networks. GSX9000, Insignus, Sonus Insight and Open Services Architecture are trademarks of Sonus Networks. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.
