congruency, Inc., and AG Communication Systems Announce Strategic Marketing and Product Interoperability Agreement

Business Wire, June 28, 2000

Business Editors

ROCHELLE PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2000

congruency, Inc., a leading Communications Application Service Provider, and AG Communication Systems, a subsidiary of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), announced today a strategic marketing and product interoperability agreement. The agreement calls for the companies to pursue joint marketing efforts and interoperability between the 7R/E iMerge(TM) Centrex Feature Gateway and the congruency Communications Network and i.Picasso touch-screen Internet protocol telephone products.

iMerge is part of Lucent's 7R/E (TM) Packet Solutions, which offers existing service providers a seamless migration to packet networks and provides emerging carriers with the ability to build a new packet network. iMerge together with the congruency Communications Network and i.Picasso 6000 IP telephone allow subscribers to access the rich feature functionality of any GR303-equipped class 5 switch for multilocation Centrex, transparent telecommuting and virtual call centers.

"The relationship between congruency and AG Communication Systems is a natural outcome of complementary technologies and products that are committed to quality of service," said Ralph Hayon, CEO of congruency. "The partnership will add momentum to our penetration of the carrier marketplace. We are committed to providing premium VoIP-enhanced services and equipment to regional Bell operating companies, competitive and building local exchange carriers."

"Carriers can boost revenues with next-generation IP applications that can be deployed immediately while minimizing the costs by providing these services using existing equipment," said Ken Arndt, vice president of marketing at AG Communication Systems.

AG Communication Systems, a subsidiary of Lucent Technologies, is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced communication products and services, including switching, access and wireless products. AG Communication Systems' GTD-5(R) digital switching systems serve more than 18 million business, government and residential subscribers.

congruency, Inc. is a Communications Application Service Provider that has developed a next generation voice-over-IP network enabling the delivery of traditional and advanced VoIP application services via broadband data networks.

The congruency Communications Network offers premium telephone capabilities, such as IP Centrex, directed visual content, and enhanced IP applications, for resell by highly competitive communication carriers, including CLECs, Internet service providers and building local exchange carriers, who are compelled to enhance their product and services beyond commodity transport. In addition, congruency offers the i.Picasso family of IP touch-screen business telephones.

congruency's investors include Vertex Israel, ABS GE Capital Giza Fund, Nomura/Jafco Investments, Matav Cable Systems Media, Ltd., RSL Capital Corp., Pioneer Management and private investors. Based in Rochelle Park, N.J., congruency has development offices in Petach-Tikva, Israel.

All products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. GTD-5 is a registered trademark used under license from GTE Corporation.