Spirent Communications Launches Network Assessment Service to Speed IP Telephony Deployments

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2004

BOSTON -- New Service Helps Enterprises and Service Providers Successfully Turn Up VoIP Across Converged Networks

Spirent Communications(TM) (NYSE:SPM) (LSE:SPT) today announced its IP Telephony Network Assessment Service, a new testing service that enables large carriers and Enterprises to roll out voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) services rapidly and confidently. Spirent is now packaging its products and testing services together to accelerate the profitable deployment of IP services for a growing global customer base.

"Spirent has invested extensive engineering resources to become the industry-leading expert in testing converged VoIP and PSTN deployments," notes Neil Anderson, senior director, Spirent Global Services. "Our customers tell us that they realize significant time and cost savings when we complement our carrier-class equipment with test expertise and resources to detect and fix problems that could occur when the network is activated."

Most testing techniques available today treat the network as a black box, providing test results without any analysis as to why the event(s) occurred. Spirent's experts understand what happens to voice as it crosses the network, and can make recommendations to solve problems on the network before turn up.

"To achieve an efficient network roll out and reduced time to profitability, service providers and enterprises need to validate accurately their VoIP deployments," said Elisabeth Rainge, director OSS & Billing at IDC. "The way to ensure this is to conduct end-to-end testing and understand impact on the network when PSTN protocols are converted to VoIP."

"One of the greatest technical challenges of rolling out VoIP services are the points of connection between the IP networks and the PSTN," observes Bahaa Moukadam, vice president, IP Telephony, Spirent Communications. "There are tools and services available to assess performance on the IP networks or on the PSTN networks, but Spirent's solution offers a chance to see what happens on the individual networks as well as when the two converge. This can be a major make or break point and testing prior a rollout can provide significant advantages."

Spirent's IP Telephony Network Assessment Service includes an initial assessment of the customer's requirements, taking into account the type of network and the type of service desired. Then, Spirent performs a customized network analysis, which includes deploying probes and collecting data. Finally, the company presents results and recommendations on how to fix the problems. If necessary, Spirent also offers a follow-on service with in-depth testing of specific problems.

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications (www.spirentcom.com) is a global provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems that enable the development and deployment of next-generation networking technology such as Internet Telephony, broadband services, 3G wireless, global navigation satellite systems, and network security equipment. Spirent's solutions are used by more than 1,500 customers in 30 countries, including the world's largest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises and governments. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Spirent Communications reported 2003 revenue of $394 million and has 1,800 employees worldwide. The company is the largest business group of Spirent plc, traded on the London and New York Stock Exchanges (LSE:SPT) (NYSE:SPM) (CUSIP number:84856M209). www.spirent.com. Spirent Communications' sales to the United States government are made through Spirent Federal Systems. www.spirentfederal.com

Spirent, Spirent Communications and the Spirent logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spirent plc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are held by their respective companies. All rights reserved.

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