- telecom technologies' INIP Powered Partner Program continues to create "Powered" products as UK-based VoIP company finishes testing product that eliminates long-distance expenses -

RICHARDSON, TX and BERKSHIRE, UK- November 15, 2000 – telecom technologies, inc., The Softswitch SourceSM, announced today that VegaStream, Europe's principal producer of integrated access devices (IAD) for Internet telephony solutions, has attained "Powered" status in telecom technologies' INIP PoweredSM Partner Program. VegaStream's Vega 50SM IAD has successfully completed interoperability testing with telecom technologies' INtelligentIP softswitch and may now carry the "INIP Powered" logo.

The Vega 50 is VegaStream's IP solution designed particularly for small-and medium-sized businesses. Being a fully scalable IAD allowing from 8 up to 48 ports on a single unit, the Vega 50 is a high performance and cost effective way for a business to have all the benefits of an expandable integrated IP network while using their existing telephone network. Vega 50 phone-facing IAD's also feature the added benefit of having two free fall-back ports which enable calls to be routed via the traditional phone network if desired, or if the IP network needs to be shut down for any reason. As with all Vega IAD's, the Vega 50 runs on an embedded platform resulting in zero compromise on sound quality while guaranteeing low prices per port. VegaStream's unique "plug-in-and-go" dedicated hardware omits the need for any configuration at the user-end. End-users, with a minimum of IT knowledge are therefore able to take advantage of the Vega 50's award-winning qualities and have a fully integrated communications network instantaneously.

"One of the main goals with the INIP Powered Partner Program is to bundle solutions and enable them to penetrate deeper into global markets," said Terri Griffin, vice president of marketing at telecom technologies. "By becoming 'powered', VegaStream will be able to interoperate the Vega 50 with a myriad of other INIP Powered partners and offer small businesses an instant solution."

Prior to becoming "Powered," VegaStream joined the INIP Powered Partner Program. The program is the first of its kind in the industry, whose goal is to accelerate deployment of voice over multi-service networks by integrating standards-based softswitches, media gateways, service delivery and creation systems, and unified voice and data applications with telecom technologies' INtelligentIP softswitch. Products that successfully complete the program become INIP Powered - immediately signifying to carriers that the product is interoperable with telecom technologies' INtelligentIP softswitch. 

"The movement towards interoperability within the telecommunications industry is paramount," said VegaStream's Chief Executive, Michael Hafferty. "We are proud to boast the INIP Powered logo on our Vega 50 end-point gateway."

Industry leaders seek out telecom technologies' INIP Powered Program because it creates end-to-end solutions for carriers and service providers and addresses the need to enhance networks so that new services can quickly be brought to market.

About VegaStream. www.vegastream.com

VegaStream - Creating a World of Difference for your Integrated Communications

In the future, VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technologies will transmit voice services over multi-service networks such as the Internet instead of using traditional telephone switches. For the foreseeable future however, VoIP IAD's (Integrated Access Devices), or gateways, will be located in telecommunications companies and end-user businesses to take advantage of this IP technology while using their existing telephone equipment. A large enterprise with dispersed employees, for example, can typically save up to 60 per cent of their telephone bills by using an existing data network to carry voice calls. Unlike competitors' offerings, which use NT-server PC platforms, VegaStream products are slim-line desktop enclosures that are purpose-built for optimum price/performance. VegaStream gateways cost from US $250 a port compared with at least US $500 per port for most other enterprise-class gateways.

Our award-winning product range includes: 

Vega 50 - An enterprise-class Voice over IP Telephony IAD/Gateway that merges speech and data into one network for SME's. Four models allow up to 48 POTS or 8 ISDN devices to interface to an IP based Ethernet LAN.

Vega 100 - A carrier-class Voice over IP Telephony IAD/Gateway that converts ordinary telephony speech into data packets. Three models provide primary rate ISDN connection for 30, 60, or 120 simultaneous callers to an IP based Ethernet LAN.

Vega 200 - A PC Audio Conferencing Unit that acts as a 'voice mixer' for speech that has already been encoded into data packets, ideally suited to home workers. With Vega 100 up to 120 users can make simultaneous voice calls and all products are "plug in and go." Interoperability is assured through the use of international telephony standards including H.323.

About telecom technologies 

telecom technologies, inc., has developed and markets a unique trio of products and services for the telecommunications industry. First, the company is the leading supplier of the most powerful weapon in the battle for convergence: softswitch technologies for network and service providers conveying end-to-end solutions for next generation, carrier-grade multi-service networks. Second, telecom technologies is the originator of the unprecedented INIP Powered Partner Program (www.inippowered.com), designed to make its softswitch interoperable with hardware/media gateway, applications and other softswitches and thus to accelerate to market fully integrated, end-to-end multi-service technology solutions. Third, telecom technologies' services group brings unparalleled expertise in design and deployment of intelligent, converged networks. Together, telecom technologies' products and services enhance system performance, lower operating costs and furnish new revenue opportunities for CLECs, ILECs, IXCs and ISPs.

Headquartered in the Telecom Corridor in Richardson, Texas, telecom technologies has offices worldwide and is accessible via the Internet at www.telecomtechnologies.com or by phone at 972-301-4900 or 1-888-FONE-TTI. 

Contacts 

telecom technologies Contact: 
Terri Griffin
Vice President, Marketing
telecom technologies, inc.
(972) 301-4905
Fax: (972) 680-6329 
terri.griffin@ttimail.com

Agency Contact: 
Nicolia Wiles
Associate
Corporate Technology Communications
512.477.7373 ext. 206
nwiles@ctcomm.com

VegaStream Contact:
Helen Taylor
Marketing Services Manager
VegaStream
+44 (0)1344 784900
helent@vegastream.com

The telecom technologies logo, The Softswitch Source, the INIP Powered logo and INIP Powered are service marks of telecom technologies, inc. INtelligentIP is a trademark of telecom technologies, inc. Telecom Corridor is a registered trademark of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. All other service marks, trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.