MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and BroadSoft(R) today announced a strategic relationship to deliver enhanced next-generation Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions to service providers. Under the contract, Lucent will now offer a new Accelerate(TM) VoIP solution for service providers that combines the power of the BroadSoft BroadWorks(R) network communications platform and the Lucent Softswitch and gateways from the Lucent Accelerate(TM) portfolio.

The strategic relationship will include joint integrated solutions, development and marketing. The Lucent and BroadSoft combination provides a Lucent solution for service providers building new or "overlay" next-generation VoIP networks.

Carriers want to take advantage of IP networking because IP networks are more efficient than traditional public telephone networks and today's solutions offer more reliable VoIP services than previously available to service providers.

Lucent also announced today that Rochester, N.Y.-based Choice One Communications (OTCBB: CWON), which provides communications services to businesses in the Northeast and Midwest, will trial the new joint solution in preparation to offer VoIP services to enterprise customers throughout its service region. (See separate news release.)

"Lucent and BroadSoft are providing a comprehensive VoIP solution immediately, and are already developing a single management interface to make it an integrated total solution that service providers of all sizes can rely on for full regulatory compliance, security at all levels and a complete set of VoIP services that meets the carrier's and enterprise's needs," said Michael Tessler, BroadSoft president and chief executive officer.

"Our joint solution provides a robust feature set for the enterprise and consumer market segments. The Lucent and BroadSoft partnership enables service providers to buy an end-to-end, integrated solution that spans equipment, services and support," said Dave Geary, chief operating officer of Lucent Technologies Integrated Network Solutions.

Under the agreement, Lucent will integrate the BroadSoft BroadWorks network communications platform with solutions from Lucent's Accelerate(TM) VoIP portfolio. The addition of the BroadSoft platform completes a comprehensive set of business and residential features in Lucent's Accelerate(TM) Solutions for enterprises and for next generation local networks.

The Solution

The new Lucent solution includes BroadWorks and several components of Lucent's Accelerate(TM) VoIP portfolio -- the Lucent Softswitch, EBS Communication Manager, gateways, Lucent VPN Firewall Brick(R), network management solutions and comprehensive support, including multi-vendor network integration, from Lucent Worldwide Services. Business and residential communications services supported by the solution include hosted IP PBX, IP Centrex, voice over broadband and voice VPN.

The Lucent Softswitch is an industry standards-based softswitch that provides a carrier-grade, highly reliable and scalable platform for both wireline and wireless applications. The product also offers a wide variety of interfaces, enabling connections between traditional and IP networks, as well as between public and corporate networks. Lucent Softswitch, a key component of Lucent's Accelerate(TM) initiative, is currently deployed in 11 countries worldwide for a variety of applications including: VoIP residential and business services, VoIP transit, wireless packet tandem, wireless packet gateway and Internet call diversion.

BroadSoft BroadWorks network communications platform provides a comprehensive range of applications that strengthen Lucent's VoIP portfolio including residential broadband, collaborative conferencing, hosted PBX and IP Centrex.

The combination of the Lucent Softswitch and BroadWorks will enable service providers to address a variety of business and residential customer needs with a common, fully integrated solution that will scale with market demand. The solution has been designed to meet the integration, operations, scale and reliability requirements of service providers today and the future requirements of evolving next generation networks.

In a separate release:

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced that Choice One Communications (OTCBB: CWON) is the first wireline service provider in the United States to trial Lucent's newest Accelerate(TM) Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution in preparation to offer VoIP services to clients across its markets.

The new Lucent Accelerate(TM) solution paves the way for Choice One to offer its clients access to the same types of IP Centrex VoIP functionality traditionally available only to large enterprises through PBX systems, such as Web-based integrated business features that allow customers to manage their voice services via their computers using broadband connectivity.

The expanded Lucent Accelerate(TM) solution for the enterprise market is the result of a cooperative relationship that combines the power of the BroadSoft(R) BroadWorks(R) network communications platform and Lucent Softswitch and Lucent gateways. Lucent and BroadSoft today announced a strategic relationship to expand Lucent's VoIP solutions for next generation networks (see separate release).

Together, the scalability and reliability of the Lucent Softswitch and the extensive set of features on the BroadWorks product, meet service providers' requirements to serve any business customer, regardless of size.

"The Lucent softswitch solution will enable Choice One to offer new VoIP features to clients over their existing broadband connections," said Robert Bailey, senior vice president of technology for Choice One Communications. "Importantly, the Lucent softswitch will interface with our existing Lucent switching platform. This will allow Choice One to deploy the softswitch technology to complement the capacity and functionality of our existing Class 5 switches."

"The trial will allow Choice One to begin development of new differentiated services and applications, such as web collaboration and multimedia services to meet client demands, while efficiently using existing Class 5 resources," said Gerry Cafaro, vice president of sales for Lucent Technologies.

The Choice One trial includes the Lucent Softswitch, EBS Communication Manager and Universal gateways, as well as the BroadSoft BroadWorks network communications platform. Business communications services supported by the solution include hosted IP PBX, IP Centrex, voice VPN and web-based multimedia services.

Lucent Worldwide Services is providing engineering, installation and network integration services.

Lucent Technologies Inc.

BroadSoft Inc.

Choice One Communications