SWINDON, UK, October 18th, 2004 - In a survey commissioned by Sonus Networks at the recent Carriers World 2004 event, a majority of the participants in the survey responded that consumer and business voice over IP (VoIP) services were overtaking POTS in terms of traffic generated, whilst other participants responded that if VoIP had not yet surpassed traditional telephony, it would within the next 2 years. The survey was also undertaken at the VON Europe 2004 event in June where 70% of the participants in the survey indicated that they foresee IP ultimately replacing legacy telephone networks.

At VON Europe, 57% of respondents believed that VoIP would overtake traditional services in just five years but nearly all of those surveyed agreed that the transition would be complete within fifteen years.

The results of the VON Europe [and Carriers World] surveys are depicted below.

"Sonus Networks has always predicted the replacement of the PSTN with an IP infrastructure, and clearly, it’s a great sign that such a high proportion of those questioned agree with that premise," commented Steve Edwards, chief marketing officer and general manager, EMEA, Sonus Networks. "This survey suggests that while the change from PSTN to IP will not happen overnight, it is undoubtedly well underway. Sonus Networks will continue to be at the forefront of that migration."

"Voice over broadband is proving to be a major catalyst for this transfer with consumers adopting VoIP because of lower costs and the enhanced applications available," Edwards continued. "The rapid growth of VoIP services like Yahoo Broadband in Japan and AT&T CallVantage in the US show that consumers are leaving behind their traditional telephone services once they experience the benefits that VoIP can offer."

Access to the data from the survey is available to the press by contacting Tom Cheesewright or Rachel Meagher at Noiseworks on 01628 628080 or at SonusTeam@noiseworks.com.

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 ArchitectureTM (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 Chelmsford, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.sonusnet.com.

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