Press Release: MetaSwitch and Jaguar Communications bring next generation telephone services to rural Midwest

Alameda, CA: February 25, 2003. MetaSwitch announced today that Jaguar Communications, a CLEC targeting rural communities in the Midwest, has successfully evaluated and deployed the MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch in its Owatonna, Minnesota regional switching center. The VP3500 is delivering local dial-tone and subscriber services in Jaguar's next generation carrier network. Jaguar plans to migrate subscribers to the MetaSwitch from its existing end-office Class 5 TDM switch.

"We strongly believe that customers in rural areas deserve to receive telephone services on a par with those in Tier 1 markets," explained Donny Smith, CEO of Jaguar. "MetaSwitch has enabled us to realize that vision more quickly and cost-effectively than we ever thought possible. After all the hype that abounds in the industry, it was refreshing to find that MetaSwitch delivered us a product that works, with a superb support team who completed the network integration in just two days."

"Our research shows that the ability to offer services not available from legacy voice switches is an essential driver for deploying next gen voice equipment," said Kevin Mitchell, directing analyst at Infonetics Research. "CLECs, like Jaguar Communications, tend to be earlier adopters than the incumbent telcos and can drive innovation in the voice services market to the benefit of their customers."

"We are delighted that Jaguar has selected MetaSwitch as a strategic partner," said John Lazar, MetaSwitch VP of Sales and Marketing. "This deployment underscores MetaSwitch's commitment to rural carriers who need a solution that works today, while enabling them to migrate steadily towards next generation networks."

The MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Switch provides more than 80 Class 5 services over legacy and broadband (IP/ATM) networks. The VP3500 is an easy-to-deploy one-box solution that scales from under 400 to over 250,000 subscribers per rack.

Midwestern service providers will be able to find out more about the solution locally at the upcoming Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association (RIITA) Conference & Expo in Des Moines March 11-12 and the Minnesota Telephone Association (MNTA) Convention in Minneapolis March 23-26.

Jaguar Communications, headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota, is an emerging Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) that provides integrated communications services to business and residential customers in the more rural tier two, three and four markets throughout Minnesota. The company plans to expand into additional Midwest markets later this year.

MetaSwitch, a division of Data Connection, is the result of 21 years of experience supplying leading-edge technology to the telecommunications industry. Data Connection's track record of consistent profitability ensures long-term commitment to product development and customer support. The MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch offers service providers an immediate solution for broadband (VoIP and/or VoATM) and POTS service and a future-proof "softswitch" architecture for enhanced applications.

MetaSwitch has offices in London, Chester and Edinburgh in the UK, and Alameda, CA, Dallas, TX and Reston, VA in the US.

Data Connection and MetaSwitch are trademarks of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Press Release: MetaSwitch and Jaguar Communications bring next generation telephone services to rural Midwest

MetaSwitch VP3500 to replace existing Class 5 TDM switch