NetCentrex Extends Its Convergence Leadership with Strategic IMS Initiative

PARIS (France) Feb 7 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Future-ProofMulti-Media Service Platform Benefits Both Fixed and MobileOperators.

NetCentrex(TM), the leading enabler of convergent networksand next-generation services, announces that its coreinfrastructure platform will offer IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)compliant interfaces by the summer of 2005. This new option makesit possible to deploy both NetCentrex consumer communicationssolution and enterprise solution, including IPCentrex(TM), inany VoIP network using the IMS architecture.

NetCentrex already supports a range of full IP-basedmultimedia services for mobile service providers, includingMobile-Fixed Converged VPNs and Interactive Multimedia Serversfor Video&Voice, Video&VoiceMail and a Video Service Broker forbroadband and UMTS networks.

This enhanced IMS support confirms NetCentrex commitment toserve the UMTS service provider market throughout the transitionfrom first generation UMTS R99 networks, to interactive mediaover a packet bearer (UMTS phases 5 and 6), expected for 2007-2010. Cellular service providers can deploy NetCentrexinfrastructure components on their current networks with theassurance that this packet infrastructure will evolve seamlesslyto support the expected roadmap of UMTS services and networks.

Today's priority for service providers is the convergence ofcircuit and packet networks at the access point, as shown by themassive deployment of VoIP over fixed broadband networks.

"Once the DSL network has been upgraded to support fixedmultimedia services, the next priority becomes convergence withthe mobile network, beginning with seamless video-communicationsbetween broadband lines and UMTS phones, and evolving into auniversal mobile terminal which uses the WiFi orBlueTooth network at home or in the office, and the GSM or UMTSnetwork while on the move," says Pierre-Yves Le Berre, VP ofBusiness Development at NetCentrex.

"We have always believed in packet-based communications!NetCentrex was the first vendor to introduce and deploy a packet-based platform for video communications across UMTS R99 andbroadband videophones, extending network reach and helping solvethe problem of creating a critical mass of subscribers. Our offerof innovative packet solutions for cellular service providerssimply confirms our dedication to evolving the technologies andserving the industry. The solutions are already deployable on GSMor UMTS networks, but, like all NetCentrex solutions, they arebased on future proof technologies which enable clients to deploynext-generation services as part of a long term businessstrategy," adds Olivier Hersent, Chairman and CTO of NetCentrex.About NetCentrex(TM) (http://www.netcentrex.net)

NetCentrex develops unique next generation network (NGN)voice and video solutions that optimize network infrastructureand enable telecom operators and service providers to delivervoice-video-data and fixed-mobile converged services for both theconsumer and enterprise markets.

Solutions include IP telephony, video telephony, Triple Play,IP Centrex, voice/video VPN, contact center and IVR services. Allsolutions are built on the same IMS compliant infrastructure thatinclude softswitching, media services and management that provideuser services, network connectivity and single point ofprovisioning.

Founded in 1998, NetCentrex has sales and partnerrepresentatives in over 25 countries and over 40 operator andservice provider customers. Leading European and US venturecapital firms back the privately held company.Source: NetCentrexFor more information, please contact: Madeleine Jeavons,NetCentrex EMEA & APAC, Tel : +33-1-58-71-33-05,madeleine.jeavons@netcentrex.net, or Susan Stearman, NetCentrexAmericas, Tel : +1-408-521-7421, susan.stearman@netcentrex.net,Email: pr@netcentrex.net, Web site : http://www.netcentrex.net

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