EPIC TOUCH TO CAP NORTEL DMS-10 AND GROW WITH TAQUA SWITCH.

Taqua, Inc., a provider of next-generation Class 5 switching platforms for voice solutions, has announced that EPIC TOUCH CO. will cap its existing Nortel DMS-10 switch and grow with Taqua's Open Compact Exchange (OCX) next-generation Class 5 switch. EPIC TOUCH CO. is the latest addition to Taqua's announced roster of customers throughout North America.

EPIC TOUCH CO. is an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) headquartered in Elkhart, Kansas, that provides local telephony, DSL, wireless and Internet services to its subscribers in the city of Elkhart.

Prior to selecting the OCX, EPIC TOUCH CO. evaluated switching technologies from several next-generation vendors, none of which offered a voice switching platform that was economically practical for its subscriber base, or could match the required Class 5 feature set, regulatory requirements and footprint of the OCX. Nortel's DMS-10 upgrade program required additional media gateways and communication servers. Ultimately, the decision to deploy the OCX was based on the preference for a next-generation platform - one that could offer the required features based on EPIC TOUCH CO's current service offerings, as well as empowering the economical offering of new services.

"After extensive review of Nortel's DMS-10 upgrade options, as well as other next-generation products, it was apparent that the OCX made the most sense for us because of its Class 5 feature set, CALEA compliance and compelling economics," said Trent Boaldin, president, EPIC TOUCH CO. "Additionally, the employees and management at Taqua are arguably the most responsive and impressive team in the telecom industry - it's clear that they know this market and they know how to serve it."

"There are approximately 12,000 aging and/or manufacturer discontinued Class 5 switches amongst the Rural Local Exchange Carrier (RLEC) market segment. Today, 46% of our revenue is attributed to service providers capping or replacing their legacy switches with the OCX. This is a significant milestone, as many next-generation vendors strive to be able to replace a legacy Class 5 switch," said Todd Daniels, vice president of sales, Taqua, Inc. "While we are making significant progress, and are very excited about our new partner, EPIC TOUCH CO., we continue to focus on delivering the most complete voice switching platform to the RLEC market."

About the Taqua OCX

Taqua's OCX(TM) is a next generation Class 5 platform. Based on a patented "Multiple Application Switching Platform and Method," the OCX incorporates softswitch, signaling and media gateway functionality on a single-card design. The OCX incorporates a core set of revenue generating CLASS & Custom Calling features, as well as essential network and regulatory requirements including LNP, AIN, AMA, GR-303, SS7, PRI, CAS, E911 and CALEA. The OCX is complemented by the OpenManager(TM) (OM), a GUI-based element management system.

Purpose-built to create an entirely new model for delivering local and toll telecommunications services, the OCX is based on a groundbreaking software and hardware architecture that transforms legacy proprietary and centralized switching environments into open, distributed, scalable and cost-effective next-generation networks. Scaling from 32 (Including Copper Line Terminations) to 40,000 lines (via GR-303 Concentration) in a single 17 1/2" X 24 1/2" shelf, the OCX dramatically reduces initial and overall cost of ownership providing carriers with a clear circuit-to-packet migration.

About Taqua, Inc.

Taqua, Inc., The Voice in Next Generation Networks, is a privately held telecommunications company that offers Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECS) with a state-of-the-art Next Generation Class 5 switching platform. Established in February of 1998, Taqua was founded with a mission to develop an efficient, scaleable and economical alternative to traditional telecommunications voice solutions. Headquartered in the "Heart of Telecom Corridor" in Richardson, Texas, with a research & development center in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Taqua employs 125 telecom professionals and is led by an experienced team of telecom veterans from Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks, Alcatel, Siemens, Bell Labs, Ascend Communications and Texas Instruments.

Currently, Taqua has secured 32 customers spanning North America, accelerating the global service provider adoption for next generation voice switching solutions.

For more information, call 508/778-8808.