Matisse Adds to Board

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Matisse Networks today announced the appointment of Mr. Ross K. Ireland to its board of directors. The addition of Ross Ireland, a telecommunications industry icon, underscores the global opportunity for Matisse Networks' EtherBurst optical switch, which saves customers 50% of both capital and operational expenses when compared with legacy circuit-based optical systems.

Mr. Ireland served as Senior Executive Vice President of Services and Chief Technology Officer for SBC Communications (now AT&T). In this capacity, he was responsible for Network Planning and Engineering, SBC Laboratories, Procurement, Real Estate, the Network Staff Groups and IT. In addition, six of the company’s National Businesses also reported to Mr. Ireland, including SBC Long Distance, SBC Paging, SBC Operator Services, SBC Public Communications, SBC Video Services, and SBC Messaging. He retired from SBC in May of 2004 after 38 years of service. Mr. Ireland was also the Chairman of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, which oversees the T1 U.S. Telecommunications ... Standards Group. Mr. Ireland studied engineering at City College of San Francisco and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program.

“I’ve seen many changes and innovations in my career and today’s move towards an all-packet optical transport network delivering services like business Ethernet and IPTV is huge,” said Mr. Ireland. “Matisse’s EtherBurst Packet Optical Transport solution provides a very compelling means of offering customers the benefits of moving to an all-packet optical network without requiring a rip and replace upgrade. This legacy optical coexistence allows customers to move at their own pace and retain the investment made in SONET equipment.”

Matisse Networks