Mescalero Apache Telecom Selects MetaSwitch for LNP and VoIP over Fixed Wireless; New Mexico Independent Telephone Company Saves Money, Expands Service Region

Business Wire, Oct 11, 2004

ALAMEDA, Calif. & MESCALERO, N.M. & FT. LAUDERDALE, Fl. -- -MetaSwitch, the market leader in Class 5 packet switch solutions, today announced that Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. (MATI) has selected its VP3500 Series Class 5 Softswitch platform to avoid the costs associated with upgrading their legacy Siemens Class 5 switch for local number portability (LNP). In addition, MATI plans to leverage the MetaSwitch's VoIP capabilities to expand beyond their existing service region with VoIP over fixed wireless and other broadband deployments.

"Having installed a legacy Class 5 switch just 3 years ago, we did not initially consider installing a whole new switch," said Godfrey Enjady, General Manager of MATI. "However, when we looked at the economics of upgrading our existing switch compared with that of deploying a MetaSwitch, the decision was pretty straightforward. We now hope to spread the word about the advantages of VoIP technology to Indian country."

"MetaSwitch offers a great solution for service providers like MATI for two reasons," explained Tom VandeWater, Southwest Regional Manager for MetaSwitch. "First, it gets them up-to-date with features like LNP and CALEA. Second, its support for VoIP enables MATI to easily expand beyond their service region. In states like New Mexico that is a great benefit as IP-based fixed wireless systems can cover large areas very cost-effectively. MATI is now the second telephone company in New Mexico alone to announce such plans with MetaSwitch - and we expect many more to follow their leadership."

Tribes are encouraged to visit MATI for further information at their booth at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 61st Annual Convention being held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, October 11-15.

About Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. (MATI)

Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. (MATI) is a full-service telecommunications company serving the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in New Mexico. The Tribal Corporation is 100% owned by the Tribe and, in addition to providing leading edge services to its own subscribers, is dedicated to helping other Tribes purchase and operate their own telecommunications infrastructure. In 2003, MATI was honored as the Tribal Enterprise of the Year for all Indian Country from NCAIED.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed VP3500 Series Class 5 Softswitch supports over 100 Class 5 features including CLASS services, IP Centrex, E911, LNP, 1-800 and CALEA, and scales from a few hundred to half a million subscribers. Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as well as operators of broadband wireless, cable and fiber networks.

MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology provider Data Connection. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida, and European headquarters in London, UK.

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright (C) 2004 Data Connection Limited.