LAS VEGAS -- MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next generation carrier switching solutions, and Pannaway Technologies, Inc., designers and developers of RUS-listed, converged broadband voice, video and data platforms, today announced a partnership designed to accelerate adoption of telco-grade VoIP networks. The combination of Pannaway's Primary Line VoIP(TM) products and MetaSwitch's award-winning Class 4/5 Softswitch solution delivers the only Primary Line VoIP solution where all the network elements have passed Rural Utilities Service (RUS) trials delivering IP-based voice service. In addition, both vendors' support for the established broadband loop control protocol, MGCP, enables service providers to select the most appropriate architecture for their network migration.

In the joint MetaSwitch-Pannaway solution, MetaSwitch delivers call control and more than 100 Class 4 and Class 5 services from its CA9020 distributed call agent or VP3510 integrated softswitch (or the smaller VP2510 platform, announced earlier this week). In addition, the MetaSwitch UC9000 unified communications system delivers enhanced applications including unified messaging, auto attendant and a powerful desktop assistant, in an IMS-compliant application server. Pannaway's access technologies enable both traditional POTS and voice over broadband (VoBB) services, with lifeline fallback enabling E911 calling even in the event of power failure at the customer premises. Proven interoperability between all parts of the solution enables incumbent and competitive telephone providers to smoothly migrate from a TDM network to an all-IP network.

"With more than 150 deployments delivering Class 5 Voice over IP, independent industry analysts acknowledge MetaSwitch as the leading Class 5 packet switch on the market today," said Chris Mairs, MetaSwitch Senior Vice President for Business Development. "As a result, we have a clear understanding of both the market requirements and long-term technical direction for packet-based networks, and believe that Pannaway's Primary Line VoIP initiative is an important step in accelerating acceptance and deployment of telco-grade VoIP networks."

"We are pleased to have completed our first phase of accreditation testing with MetaSwitch, and to join the MetaSwitch Partner Program, as well as welcoming them to our Primary Line VoIP Partner Program," said Mark Carpenter, Pannaway Vice President of Business Development. "One of the promises of open standards is multi-vendor interoperability - and MetaSwitch and Pannaway are today delivering on their commitments to that philosophy."

MetaSwitch

Pannaway Technologies Inc.