HYANNIS, Mass. -- Taqua, Inc., a leading provider of next-generation Class 5 switching platforms for voice and data convergence, today announced that Michael Flynn, Group President of Communications at ALLTEL Corporation (NYSE:AT), and Matthew Desch, Chairman of Airspan Networks (NASDAQ: AIRN), have been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Both appointments are effective immediately. "Attracting two truly accomplished telecommunications all-stars such as Mike Flynn and Matt Desch to Taqua's Board of Directors is an extraordinary endorsement of the potential of Taqua and the Open Compact Exchange," said Thomas Berger, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Taqua, Inc. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I look forward to the invaluable contributions Mike and Matt will provide as we meet our goal of becoming the premier provider of next-generation Class 5 switching systems." Michael Flynn currently serves as Group President of Communications at ALLTEL Corporation. In this capacity, he serves as a corporate officer and member of the Office of the President, which guides the business of the Communications Division at ALLTEL. Mr. Flynn joined ALLTEL in 1994, and has also held the positions of President of the Telephone Group and President of Communications Operations. Matthew Desch has more than 20 years of experience in the supply of telecommunications infrastructure for global carriers , and currently serves as Chairman of Airspan Networks, a supplier of wireless DSL infrastructure for operators around the world. Prior to joining Airspan, Mr. Desch served as Executive Vice President and President, Global Service Providers for Nortel Networks, where he was responsible for Nortel's fast-growing business in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Mr. Desch also served as President of Nortel's Wireless Networks Division, a $4.5 billion global fixed and mobile system infrastructure business. Mr. Desch has also held senior positions at AT&T Network Systems (now Lucent Technologies) and AT&T Bell Laboratories. Taqua Systems Inc.