Covad Selects Redback Networks to Expand Nationwide DSL and VoIP Services; Leading Provider of Broadband Voice and Data Communications Chooses Redback's SmartEdge Service Gateway to Support Network Growth

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Redback Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:RBAK), a leading provider of next-generation broadband networking systems, today announced that Covad Communications Group, Inc. (AMEX:DVW), a leading national provider of integrated voice and data communications, has selected Redback's SmartEdge(R) Service Gateway platform to increase its existing network capacity and resiliency to support next-generation services, such as residential high-speed internet access and business-class VoIP across the country.

With plans to aggressively expand DSL and VoIP services, Covad wanted to evolve its existing network infrastructure to more effectively offer voice and data services over a single, converged network infrastructure. In addition, Covad selected Redback's SmartEdge platform for its scalability, high availability, and quality of service (QoS) capabilities. As Covad, with a network that reaches more than 50 percent of homes and businesses across the country, grows its broadband subscriber base, the ability to better manage customers over its converged network has become extremely important. The SmartEdge Service Gateway platform allows Covad to improve operational efficiencies by integrating the functions of ethernet aggregation, edge routing and subscriber management.

"Redback Networks' reliable and scalable SmartEdge platform helps grow our network into the next-generation of business and residential VoIP services," said Steve DeRodeff, vice president, broadband technologies at Covad. "The SmartEdge also provides us with the flexibility to investigate future network expansions such as WiMAX subscriber aggregation and MPLS VPNs session control."

By leveraging the QoS capability inherent in the SmartEdge platform, Covad is able to manage and deliver multiple services through a single broadband connection. Covad can also dynamically adjust network and QoS for new and existing customers through the SmartEdge Service Gateway platform's subscriber awareness capability. This allows Covad to better manage individual subscriber services while enhancing the overall user experience.

"We are excited to implement the SmartEdge platform as an integral piece in Covad's network architecture to enable the roll-out of next-generation services and reduce operational costs," said John Spiliotis, vice president of sales and operations for the Americas at Redback Networks. "Covad has successfully utilized Redback's technology to maintain a competitive edge in the IP broadband market."

In addition to providing network capacity and enhanced availability for new broadband services and subscribers, Redback's SmartEdge platform provides the much needed resiliency for smooth delivery of business-class VoIP over Covad's network.

About Covad

Covad is a leading nationwide provider of broadband voice and data communications. The company offers DSL, Voice over IP, T1, Web hosting, managed security, IP and dial-up, and bundled voice and data services directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers, value-added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad broadband services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 57 million homes and businesses, which represent over 50 percent of all US homes and businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 110 Rio Robles San Jose, CA 95134. Telephone: 888-GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.

About Redback Networks

Redback Networks Inc., a leading provider of next-generation broadband networking equipment, enables carriers and service providers to build Smart Broadband Networks that can deliver simplified, personalized and portable subscriber services to consumers and businesses. The company's carrier-class, consumer-scale SmartEdge Router and Service Gateway platforms for Broadband IP combine subscriber management systems, IP edge routing and ethernet aggregation functions. In conjunction with the NetOp(TM) Element and Policy Manager platform it provides a powerful, flexible infrastructure for managing both residential and business users offer a variety of value-added services.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales and technical support centers located worldwide, Redback Networks maintains a growing and global customer base of more than 500 carriers and service providers, including major local exchange carriers (LECs), inter-exchange carriers (IXCs), PTTs and service providers. For more information, visit Redback Networks at www.redback.com.

REDBACK and SmartEdge are trademarks registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. NetOp is a trademark of Redback Networks Inc. All other products or services mentioned are the trademark, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

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