Dulles, VA. August 28, 2003 – Encore Networks, a developer of signaling interworking IP+Legacy? VPN solutions, and MetaSwitch, a provider of broadband Class 5 switching solutions today announced a partnership enabling the delivery of advanced global Voice over Packet (VoP) solutions. The partnership is based on successful completion of rigorous interoperability testing in the MetaSwitch labs in Reston, VA, and will enable service providers to connect across any network using incompatible signaling protocols.

“Service providers are increasingly deploying next generation packet-switching equipment that provides more efficient use of available bandwidth and is less costly to purchase, install, and maintain,” stated Paul Brittain, Director of Product Management at MetaSwitch. “However, there is still a huge base of providers operating traditional networks worldwide creating the need for equipment that can interface between packet networks and the older legacy networks, which the Encore/MetaSwitch partnership provides.”

“Carriers seeking to expand into global markets must provide gateway equipment that accommodates both the local telephone networks and the native protocols for the countries they service”, said Bill Ferguson, Vice President Carrier Signaling Sales for Encore Networks. “Our partnership with MetaSwitch will provide an easily and rapidly deployable solution for these carriers as they expand next-generation products and services into the broader world market.”