Empire Telephone Corp., Transforms TDM Network to Next-Generation IP Packet and SIP Using Pannaway Technologies' Service Convergence Network Platform; ILEC Rolls Out New Triple Play Services Including SIP-based VoIP to Western New York

Business Wire, Feb 27, 2006

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Pannaway Technologies, Inc., designers and developers of next-generation, converged IP broadband systems to telecommunications companies, today announced that Empire Telephone Corp., is using a lab certified interoperable solution from Pannaway and Nortel to roll out new SIP-based VoIP services with advanced calling features and Primary Line E 911 call handling to 8,400 residential and business subscribers in Prattsburgh, New York. E[acute accent]The recently announced interoperability testing between Nortel and Pannaway (see Nortel Enables New Rural Market SIP Access Solutions - February 6th) enables compatible SIP-based communication and E 911 call handling between Nortel's DMS-10 platform and Pannaway's Service Convergence Network (SCN(TM)) access system. This interoperable solution will enable Empire Telephone and other ILECs to preserve their existing DMS-10 investments as they migrate toward new IP packet-based Triple Play services. E[acute accent]"Nortel's DMS-10 is the most widely deployed voice switching platform in the rural ILEC community", said Rob Scheible, Senior Manager, Carrier Multimedia Networks at Nortel. "Interoperability with technology innovators like Pannaway provides rural telcos with a seamless solution for transitioning their existing TDM architectures to IP-packet and SIP-based networks capable of supporting next-generation services." E[acute accent]Pannaway's multi award-winning Primary Line VoIP(SM) system leverages SIP within its IP-BLC (broadband loop carrier) and intelligent CPE devices and works in conjunction with Nortel's DMS-10 to provide guaranteed automatic failover in the event of a power outage to a remotely powered back up VoIP-enabled digital loop carrier. This patent-pending failover mechanism ensures that Lifeline calling and E 911 services are always available without the need for battery back up or multiple phone numbers to the home. E[acute accent]"As we transition our subscriber base to VoIP, it is absolutely critical that we have the ability to provide advanced calling and safety features such as E 911 and Lifeline support", said Joseph Gottwald, CO engineer and ISP manager for Empire Telephone. "Interoperability between Nortel's DMS-10 and Pannaway's SCN will allow us to offer necessary Primary Line VoIP in addition to premier video and data services using a single solution". E[acute accent]"Our technology interoperability work with industry leaders like Nortel is proving to deliver tremendous benefits to our rural ILEC customers", said Kevin Brown, Vice President of Marketing for Pannaway. "Our Primary Line Certification Program was designed to validate multi-vendor interoperability which simplifies the deployment process for ILECs ensuring they experience a smooth and rapid transition from legacy TDM to IP-packet and SIP based networking."

E[acute accent]About Pannaway Technologies

E[acute accent]Pannaway provides customer-proven, IP-Ethernet and SIP-based broadband access solutions that enable telecommunications service providers to offer new Triple Play services to their rural subscribers. Using Pannaway's Service Convergence Network (SCN(TM)) which consists of access, premise, transport and broadband management capabilities, telecom providers can easily transform their existing TDM and ATM networks to support emerging bandwidth intensive services for years to come. Pannaway's patent-pending Primary Line VoIP(SM) is the first telco-grade VoIP solution to ensure E 911 Lifeline calling across multi-vendor product environments. The privately held company is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and has been building innovative IP-Ethernet solutions and service/support programs to fit the specific needs of rural telecom providers since 2002. E[acute accent]For more information, please visit www.pannaway.com.