NexTone Session Border Controller Selected by VeriSign to Offer Managed VoIP Service with QoS

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2004

BOSTON -- MSC Enables New IP Connect Service and Delivers Robust VoIP to Enterprise Customers with No Physical Changes to the Network Required

Extending its footprint as the market leader in scalable session management of real-time IP services, NexTone(TM) Communications today announced that VeriSign(R) (Nasdaq:VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, has deployed NexTone's Multiprotocol Session Controller (MSC) as part of its IP Connect Services Suite. NexTone's MSC provides advanced signaling expertise and unmatched interoperability.

Today, service providers face several challenges when evaluating their entry into the high-revenue high-demand VoIP services market. First, how to layer new VoIP services onto existing enterprise IT security infrastructures, and second, how to navigate the complexities of interconnecting disparate IP PBXs. The flexibility of NexTone's MSC allows VeriSign to extend its IP Connect service across a variety of disparate VoIP networks and legacy systems, and provide centralized voice and data management, thus enabling the company to expand its VoIP services revenues.

(Editor's note: NexTone and VeriSign will demonstrate IP Connect in booth 619 at VON Fall 2004 in Boston, October 18-21.)

"NexTone has provided us with the product functionality to extend our current service offerings and address a growing demand for VoIP services," said Vernon Irvin, executive vice president of VeriSign Communications Services. "NexTone's product supports our efforts to offer flexibility, scalability, and performance to our customers."

Secure Interoperability

NexTone's MSC removes interoperability barriers and provides the intelligent VoIP routing, signaling, and security capabilities that are crucial for the delivery of real-time IP services.

"As the leading provider of session management technologies for VoIP carriers around the world, we understand the specific challenges our customers face, particularly as the demand for real-time services explodes," said Dan Dearing, vice president of marketing for NexTone. "Our MSC is specifically designed with the flexibility to meet the needs of a wide variety of deployment scenarios. The MSC is a natural choice for VeriSign's IP Connect service because it allows them to grow their VoIP interconnectivity business in a way that makes sense."

In the VeriSign implementation, NexTone's MSC provides protocol interoperability between IP PBXs from multiple vendors, with support for advanced calling features such as call transfer, 3-way calling, call forwarding, call waiting, and call hold. The MSC also provides support for emerging IP PBX features such as desktop video.

IP Connect Suite for Carriers

The IP Connect suite of services combines VeriSign's Network Routing Directory and perimeter security with VeriSign's considerable expertise in providing interoperability solutions. This combination allows service providers to accelerate the deployment of new inter-enterprise IP services and greatly expand their VoIP portfolio by delivering rich media features -- such as point-to-point video between enterprises in a secure and reliable manner. IP Connect Suite allows you to connect disparate VoIP networks and legacy systems to centralize voice and data management, help reduce costs, and expand value-add services.

About NexTone Communications

NexTone Communications develops carrier-grade products that provide scalable control of real-time IP services, such as voice over IP (VoIP). NexTone solutions enable carriers, service providers and enterprises to securely, simply, and cost-effectively interconnect networks for end-to-end control and management of IP traffic. NexTone's real-time IP technology can dramatically reduce carrier capital expenditures while providing ongoing operational efficiencies, such as reduced interconnect turn-up time and simplified network operations. NexTone is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland USA with domestic and International sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.nextone.com.