Starent Networks' IMS Solution Succeeds in Industry Forum Tests

Business Wire, June 12, 2007

IMS Forum Plugfest II Determines Vendor Interoperability

TEWKSBURY, Mass. -- Starent Networks, Corp. (NASDAQ:STAR), a leading provider of infrastructure solutions that enable mobile operators to deliver multimedia services, today announced it has again successfully tested its Session Control Manager (SCM) at the IMS Forum's IMS Plugfest[TM] II for Applications and Services, held at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH IOL) on June 4-8, 2007.

The IMS Plugfest II is the second in a series of open testing events that are designed to foster interoperability by establishing an industry-recognized interoperability certification for IMS services and applications. The Plugfest events create test plans for IMS applications and services, allowing service providers to expedite IMS service rollout. The first Plugfest focused on interoperability of the IMS transport layer. Plugfest II tests interoperability for VoIP, IP Centrex, SMS and Fixed-Mobile Convergence functionality.

The event provided an opportunity for IMS vendors like Starent Networks to test their services and applications, interoperate with other IMS network elements, and to further IMS technology deployment. Starent Networks tested its Session Control Manager with the Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) and Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF is expected to be generally available Q4, 2007), operating on its ST-series multimedia core platforms. Starent Networks' Session Control Manager passed all tested call flow scenarios, including multi-domain, application server interaction and registration and deregistration of IMS and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based mobile devices with and without authentication. Additionally, the policy control and charging interface defined in 3GPP Release 7 interfaces based on Diameter was successfully tested for interoperability.

"The IMS Plugfest demonstrates the Session Control Manager's ability to deliver SIP-based services today while providing a migration path to the IMS networks of tomorrow," said Ashraf Dahod, CEO of Starent Networks. "We are committed to helping mobile operators deliver a wide variety of multimedia services with standards-based solutions that are efficient and effective."

IMS is a network architecture created to standardize and simplify deployment of next-generation multimedia communications, such as instant messaging, video conferencing and mobile TV.

The UNH IOL is a world-renown, vendor-neutral testing center. Since its inception in 1988, the laboratory has grown into one of the industry's premier centers for testing and proving cutting-edge networking and data communications products. Testing was conducted in a 32,000-square-foot testing facility that houses a wide array of testing equipment and devices.

About the IMS Forum

The IMS Forum([R]) is a global, non-profit industry association devoted to interoperable IP Multimedia Subsystems services and solutions. IMS Forum's mission is to accelerate the interoperability of IMS applications and services, enabling enterprise and residential consumers to quickly benefit from the delivery of quadruple play voice, video, internet and mobile services over broadband via cable, wireless and fixed networks. The IMS Forum is the creator and organizer of the IMS Plugfest[TM] event focused on IMS services interoperability verification and certification.

Through its organized Plugfests, working group interaction, and other activities, forum members are able to develop cost-effective technical frameworks for converged IP services over wireline, cable, 3G, WiFi and WiMAX networks. Plugfest II was held June 4-8, 2007 at the IMS Forum UNH Interoperability Lab. Plugfest II results will be released at NXTcomm, June 18-21, 2007 at the IMS Forum's booth #3669. For additional information or to join the IMS Forum and the IMS Plugfests, please visit www.IMSForum.org.

About Starent Networks

Starent Networks, Corp. is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions that enable mobile operators to deliver multimedia services to their subscribers. Starent Networks has created solutions that provide network functions and services, including access from a wide range of radio networks to the operator's packet core network. Starent Networks' solutions also provide management of subscriber sessions moving between networks and application of billing and other session policies. Starent Networks' products and services provide high performance and system intelligence by combining significant computing power, memory and traffic handling capabilities with a flexible, high-availability operating system and other proprietary software. The company's products integrate multiple network functions and services needed for the delivery of advanced multimedia services, such as video, Internet access, voice-over-IP, e-mail, mobile TV, photo sharing and gaming. Starent Networks' products have been deployed by over 60 mobile operators in 25 countries.

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