Milan, Italy – Nearly 37 percent (the second best is behind by over 10 points) is the market share gained by Italtel in EMEA as regards phone lines installed over Internet protocol (IP). Dittberner, the American research firm, points out that in the third quarter of 2004 not only has Italtel achieved the number one position in the VoIP (Voice over IP) markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa, but has also consolidated its third position in Latin America and is among the world’s leading five vendors of VoIP equipment.

Dittberner’s ranking, validated by other leading ICT analyst firms, ratifies Italtel’s leading role in the frontier market of tomorrow’s networks and multimedia services. In fact, Italtel’s operative VoIP lines (user and junction) worldwide are over 3.5 million, deployed across the communication networks of more than 25 operators in 15 countries. These tlc players have selected Italtel as their technology partner of choice for the development of value add services and networks.

"Dittberner's research - said Claudio Chiarenza, Executive Vice President, Business Unit Products at Italtel - ratifies our strong growth in the VoIP market segment: it is an important validation of Italtel's strategy, acknowledging the technological excellence of the iMSS (Italtel Multi Service Solution) platform. All the value chain benefits from our solution's strengths: not only in terms of cost effectiveness for the operators, but also because it enables new services for both the residential and the business market".

“Carriers recognize the economic benefits of implementing VoIP solutions and therefore are focused on migrating to NGN infrastructures, - said Lilian Tau, Vice President, Dittberner Associates Inc. - “Italtel’s Softswitch leadership is an extraordinary competitive advantage which enables it to successfully penetrate the Service Provider’s international market.“

Therefore, for Italtel, voice is rapidly converging towards the Internet. This is because all VoIP lines are based on IMSS multi service platforms, providing voice connections over IP software switching and data networking while seamlessly connecting with traditional telephony networks. This enables a gradual evolution towards future Next Generation Networks, while leveraging tlc carrier’s existing investments and helping them to considerably reduce their operating costs and increase revenue streams.

Building on this, through the design and development of the IMSS platform, Italtel has won the challenge embarked upon since 2000, anticipating the market’s demands and aiming its strategy to the Next Generation Networks sector. The proof lies in the 370 billion annual conversation minutes managed around the world over the IP protocol through the iMSS platform. Further proof comes from Italtel customers’ testimony, leading providers of advanced voice, data and video communication services including Telecom Italia, managing the world’s most extensive IP backbone network; FastWeb, first operator in the world to have developed a pure IP access network; Cegetel, one of the most important telecom operator in France; Hansenet (Germany) providing broadband access via IP; Bulldog Broadband, a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Group, providing in United Kingdom broadband services to both residential and business customers; Neuf Telecom (France), freenet.de (Germany); Auna, the first alternative carrier in Spain.

Finally, additional proof is in Italtel’s over 800 specialists constantly developing new iMSS platform releases providing increasingly reliable IP connections and the openness and flexibility required for the development of multimedia Triple Play services.

Italtel SpA

Dittberner Associates Inc.