RICHARDSON, Texas -- Taqua, Inc., the leading provider of next-generation Class 5 switching, today announced that its OCX has been selected for network deployment by Longview, Texas-based NCIC Operator Services, a major worldwide operator service provider. Taqua's OCX will replace a manufacturer discontinued Cisco VCO4K switch, formerly marketed by Summa Four, in NCIC's network architecture. Founded in 1995, NCIC has quickly become the preferred alternative to large, cumbersome American carriers, and has rapidly launched its services into world markets. In just six years, NCIC has built an impressive organization that handles more than two million inbound calls per month, making it the largest privately owned operator service company in the United States. By providing operator services in the United States and 70 countries worldwide, NCIC's operator services outpace the competition, serving some of the fastest-growing regions in the world. "Key factors in NCIC's decision to select the OCX included the extensive Class 5 and Custom Calling features, compact footprint, compelling economics and clear migration path to next-generation packet technologies. However, it was equally important for NCIC to partner with a viable next-generation Class 5 switch vendor. With a solid base of customers and switches in-service, Taqua was our only logical choice to serve our growing Class 5 switching requirements in the years to come," said Bill Pope, president, NCIC. "In addition, after a recent visit to Taqua's headquarters, I'm convinced that the Company has assembled the finest training and technical support organizations in the industry." Taqua Systems Inc.