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Narus Signs Agreement with VeriSign to Allow IP Compliance and Security Products to Be Offered as Managed Services

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Narus, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with VeriSign, Inc. that allows VeriSign to offer the entire suite of Narus products to its global customer base as managed services or licensed software. This includes capabilities for security, traffic analysis and lawful interception.

The first Narus product being offered by VeriSign is Narus LI for IP lawful intercept, one of the industry’s most comprehensive IP lawful intercept products for carrier-grade networks. The product has been integrated into the VeriSign NetDiscovery(TM) service — which is a cost-effective alternative to building an in-house proprietary lawful interception solution — that meets the legal, technical and operational requirements needed to support end-to-end compliance for circuit-switched or IP-based technologies. The service helps providers that are responding to requests for collection of subscriber information, historical billing, call detail records and real-time lawful interception.

“VeriSign is the leader in delivering intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks,” said Raj Puri, vice president, Communications Business Development, VeriSign. “This agreement with Narus allows us to leverage the Narus highly scalable carrier-grade platform to extend our leadership in IP security and compliance management.”

NarusSecure, Narus LI, NarusAnalyze and NarusMediate are part of the industry’s only complete, high-performance IP security and monitoring system that can be implemented at the network core to analyze and correlate traffic in real-time. The Narus system gives customers the power to dynamically secure their entire network, while managing critical next-generation IP services such as VoIP, IMS and IPTV. Narus enables the flexibility for carriers to quickly adjust to market trends and changing regulatory mandates while providing the infrastructure to manage, protect, and create new services — all on a single common platform.

“Narus has built a global reputation for providing the industry’s highest performance IP security and monitoring system, protecting many of the world’s largest and most critical networks,” said Greg Oslan, CEO, Narus. “This agreement will marry VeriSign’s unparalleled brand with the scalability and flexibility of the Narus system to create the industry’s most complete suite of managed services for IP networks.”

Connectiva and the MTC Group Win Best Revenue Assurance Award

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The Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) Group and Connectiva Systems, a leading provider of revenue assurance solutions to the telecom industry worldwide has won the prestigious World Billing Award – “Best Revenue Assurance / Management Project” — awarded by the Institute for International Research (IIR). Connectiva Systems was awarded this recognition for implementing its ONEREViEW(TM) revenue assurance solution at the MTC Group, and demonstrating a compelling Return on Investment (ROI) for the project while delivering the desired functionality on time and under budget.

Launched in 1997, the World Billing Awards are widely regarded as the highest recognition of billing excellence within the telecom industry. The winners were selected in April 2005 and the award ceremony took place on December 6, 2005 in Madrid. Connectiva Systems was named joint-winner with the MTC Group for the “Best Revenue Assurance Project” for 2005.

Hugh Roberts, presenting the award as chairman of the World Billing Awards judging panel, said, “We introduced the ‘Best Revenue Assurance / Revenue Management Project’ award this year not only as a reflection of the increasing role that revenue assurance is playing in delivering operational effectiveness but also to increase awareness of this amongst the global service provider community. We were delighted that the competition in this new category was so fierce, and the winners are indeed worthy of industry acknowledgement. In the case of the MTC Group deployment, the Judging Panel were particularly impressed by the fact that Connectiva were able to demonstrate some arduous proof of concept requirements and Total Cost of Ownership benefits prior to being awarded the contract, and that the solution was selected and implemented successfully on the basis of scalability, adaptability and with continuous functional change in mind.”

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Mark Trudeau, CEO of Connectiva Systems. “Progressive telecom operators like the MTC Group, who want to maximize the lifetime value of their customers, understand the value of getting visibility over their revenue chain. ONEREViEW(TM)’s unique process-based approach to revenue assurance helps them achieve this objective.”

Venkatesh Jandhyala, Group Revenue Assurance Manager, MTC Group said, “We are delighted to share this winner’s award with Connectiva Systems. Our achievement is a product of the RA philosophy gaining company-wide acceptance and working with a vendor who shares a commitment to our corporate values and objectives. We hope that our success will prompt other operators to take up the challenges of revenue assurance seriously and partner with a good vendor to ensure successful outcomes. This is indicative of our goal to control our revenue cycle and minimize revenue loss, thereby enhancing value for all shareholders in the MTC Group.”

NMS Communications Extends Video Communications Capabilities to IP Video over Broadband Market

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NMS Communications (NASDAQ: NMSS), a leading provider of technologies and solutions for mobile applications and infrastructure, today announced it is enabling application developers to build cost-effective, IP video over broadband applications with the introduction of its Video Access 2.0 mobile and IP video applications toolkit (http://www.nmscommunications.com/videoaccess).

Video Access 2.0 works with NMS’s carrier-class CG series of high performance media processing boards, including the recently introduced CG 6565. In conjunction with the Video Access 2.0 toolkit, the company is also announcing its Video Transcoder 2.0 networked transcoding software (http://www.nmscommunications.com/VideoTranscoder), which can be used with the Video Access 2.0 toolkit or separately. Video Transcoder 2.0 enables enhanced streaming video capabilities that support CIF (common interchange format) screen resolution.

Solution developers such as Italy-based Reitek are seeing high demand for solutions that enable IP video over broadband. “The rate of change from audio to video VoIP services is indicative of a real explosion in that market. Within just one year of going mainstream with audio capabilities, VoIP providers are already offering support for SIP-based video phones,” said Daniele Barki, CEO of Reitek. “Video Access 2.0 will enable developers like ourselves to participate in that explosion.”

The early market for video communications has been mobile video services using the 3G-324M mobile format. By extending video capabilities to broadband, Video Access 2.0 is dramatically extending the size of the available video communications market to include both wireless and wireline VoIP consumers. Analysts predict that by 2006, revenue for VoIP equipment alone will already be worth $5.7 billion, with a 60 percent growth rate expected by 2008. The advent of new SIP-based video phones allows developers using the Video Access 2.0 toolkit to attach themselves to that six billion dollar a year and growing market.

“This is about the evolution of entertainment and communications,” said Mike Katz, director of product marketing for NMS Communications. “Technology such as Video Access 2.0 is bringing visual communications to a much larger target market by making it available through the oldest communication technology known to our culture – the telephone.”

With Video Access 2.0, developers can now deploy high performance video applications on either a 3G-324M or an IP network. When used in conjunction with NMS’s high performance CG 6565 platform, Video Access 2.0 is able to double the number of video ports provided. Video Access 2.0 includes support for CIF video streams from multiple vendors’ SIP phones, transcoding and transrating of CIF, video tromboning and streaming gateway support for SIP-based IP video terminals.

WorldSpace Selects Portal Software to Support Global Satellite Radio Service

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Portal Software, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PRSF), the premier global provider of billing and Revenue Management solutions for telecommunications and media markets, announced today that WorldSpace, one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, selected Portal to provide billing and Revenue Management solutions for its global operations. Through its subscription-based service, WorldSpace broadcasts news, sports, music, and educational programming to satellite radios in over 130 countries including India, China, South Africa, the Middle East, and countries in Western Europe.
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FairPoint Selects New Telecom Billing Platform

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FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NYSE: FRP) today announced that it will transition from its current telecom billing provider to a new telecom billing provider. As a result of FairPoint’s settlement with its current telecom billing provider, the conversion process is expected to be completed at very little additional cost to the Company.

FairPoint’s current billing provider has contracted to sell the software underlying the Company’s current telecom billing system and has agreed not to add any new customers to its service bureau platform. FairPoint has selected Mid America Computer Corporation (MACC) as its new provider of billing services. The MACC-Customer Master platform is currently running in 223 independent telecommunications companies.

FairPoint estimates that the cost to convert all of its companies to the new telecom billing service provider will be approximately $5.5 million. FairPoint is due to receive $4.0 million from its current billing provider, and will not be required to pay $1.2 million in accrued but unpaid conversion fees. FairPoint expects to complete the conversion process for most of its companies by the middle of 2006, with all companies being converted by early 2007.

“We expect a much smoother conversion because we now have an experienced telecom billing partner in MACC and a seasoned project team who know what to anticipate as we move through this process,” said Gene Johnson, CEO for FairPoint. “Our experiences have taught us to choose vendors who have an intimate knowledge of our industry. MACC has been in operation in telecommunications billing for over 30 years. They know our business and we know them well. Our Midwest companies have been operating on the legacy MACC platform for years, so our confidence in MACC is high. In addition, MACC has dramatically increased the functionality of its platform since we initially looked at it several years ago, making it a leader in the telecommunications billing industry.”

The MACC-Customer Master platform includes features that will allow increased opportunities for FairPoint. These include enhanced target marketing capabilities, customized bills, and clear organization of customer data to assist customer service, sales and technical personnel. MACC’s systems and processes are known for good quality assurance and effective change management.

About FairPoint
FairPoint is a leading provider of communications services to rural communities across the country. Incorporated in 1991, FairPoint’s mission is to acquire and operate telecommunications companies that set the standard of excellence for the delivery of service to rural communities. Today, FairPoint owns and operates 28 rural local exchange companies (RLECs) located in 17 states, offering an array of services, including local and long distance voice, data, Internet and broadband offerings.

SunCom Wireless Selects Ericsson’s Mobile Softswitch

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SunCom Wireless has selected Ericsson’s (NASDAQ:ERICY) Mobile Softswitch solution for its next generation core throughout the operator’s footprint in the southeastern United States. Additionally, the two companies will conduct IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) trials to prepare the operator’s network for next generation capabilities.

Under the agreement, SunCom has begun to deploy Ericsson’s Mobile Softswitch solution to carry voice and data traffic in 3GPP Release 4- compliant network architecture. After just two months of installation and smooth implementation, the softswitch started full commercial operation in September; full deployment is scheduled for completion in 2006. Ericsson is also providing network design services, training and on-site support.

The IMS trial will help SunCom prepare to deploy rich communication services – such as video telephony, conference calling, document-sharing web pages (collaboration) and presence management – in its IP network. Ericsson’s UMA solution, Mobile@Home, allows the delivery of services from the mobile network – such as voice, voicemail, SMS, MMS and GPRS – using broadband and unlicensed radio spectrum such as WiFi or Bluetooth.

Angel Ruiz, head of Ericsson North America, says: “SunCom is already seeing the benefits of reduced transmission costs. Ericsson’s Mobile Softswitch design, with its distributed architecture, has made the SunCom transport network more efficient.”

“The network enhancements this architecture supports will help SunCom achieve convergence between the circuit-switched and packet-switched components of its networks, which is necessary for an efficient evolution to all-IP,” Ruiz adds.

SunCom Wireless Vice President of Engineering Scott Basham says: “Ericsson’s reputation for providing high-quality switching equipment and its commitment to meet a demanding deployment schedule won them the business. They exceeded our expectations by providing the first phase of softswitch deployment, from purchase order to commercial service, in fewer than 120 days. Twenty percent of SunCom’s network is now on Ericsson’s softswitch, and it has performed flawlessly. Partnering with Ericsson and their MSS solution has proven to be a sound business decision.”

Ericsson was the first vendor to deploy softswitch solutions for telephony networks and leads the industry with 55 fully commercial networks. Today, Ericsson has 30 live, commercially deployed mobile softswitch networks on all continents.

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

About SunCom Wireless
SunCom Wireless, based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, is licensed to provide digital wireless communications services in an area covering 14.3 million people in the Southeastern United States and 4.0 million people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Umniah Taps HP OpenView OSS for Service Activation and Convergent Billing

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Umniah, as a new GSM/GPRS/EDGE operator in the Jordan market, has proven its capabilities by acquiring 200,000 plus subscribers in its first three months of operation.

To gain market share, Umniah simplified and accelerated service activation and provided flexible convergent billing for its pre- and post-paid subscribers. Working with HP, Umniah deployed HP OpenView Service Activator to automatically configure network equipment to set up and manage mobile services.

The solution enabled Umniah to deliver and provision new services more quickly — and consolidate provisioning on a single platform, which reduced cost and complexity. The HP solution also linked directly to Umniah’s customer relationship management (CRM) application, so subscribers can customize services in real time.

With HP OpenView Internet Usage Manager, Umniah can mediate all billing data, pre- and post-paid, into its billing system and CRM application.

“Umniah is committed to providing its customers with the fast, easy activation of services and billing flexibility that other operators lack. The HP OpenView solutions and OSS expertise have been a key part of that effort,” said Michael Dagher, managing partner, Umniah. “By delivering new services to customers faster, with the billing choices they want, Umniah can provide a better customer experience — and reduce our own operational costs.”

Indosat Deploys Comptel Online Mediation Solution

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Comptel Corporation, a leading convergent mediation, charging, provisioning and network inventory software vendor, has deployed Comptel Online mediation solution for SMS services to Indosat a leading telecommunication and information provider in Indonesia. The system was delivered by Comptel jointly with PT Lintas Teknologi Indonesia and Comptel’s associate company Tango Telecom. The value of agreement has not been announced.

Comptel Online Mediation solution for SMS is based on Comptel OnlineLink® and Comptel SMSLink™ products using Tango Telecom’s signalling technology with network level pre-delivery control function for SMS services. The solution enables Indosat to perform flexible online charging for all SMS traffic and services. In addition it provides an instant SMS delivery architecture with full scalability to meet the demanding requirements of the Indosat network. Solution provides capability to massively increase the capacity, performance and flexibility of the existing SMS infrastructure.

The system has successfully handled in excess of 106 million SMS attempts over the two days of recent Eid Al Fitr celebration which creates the highest peak traffic of the year in Indonesia. The system has provided higher quality of service to Indosat’s customers during the busy period that is challenging the network capacity.

The solution was chosen by Indosat after rigorous, fair and highly competitive evaluation and it was deployed in timely fashion. The solution has been integrated effectively across multiple sites utilising Indosat’s existing infrastructure. The new SMSC architecture is implemented with sophisticated real time charging and rating capability and is able to provide advanced new services rapidly to Indosat’s growing customer base. Furthermore, the solution improves effectively the promptness of the SMS deliveries, which is essential to improving further the ever important customer satisfaction.

“We are delighted to be able to announce the deployment of our market leading Online Mediation solution with Indosat, one of the largest such deployments worldwide. It is a key vote of confidence in the Comptel OnlineLink and Comptel SMSLink products, and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation with Indosat and to helping them to consolidate their position as a leading operator in the huge Indonesian market”, said Kari Miettinen, Vice President and head of Comptel’s APAC business, Comptel Corporation.

“Lintas has played the key role of system integration for this project. Key success factors for this large project have been our long relationship with Indosat, our competent local resources and the robust and advanced technology provided by Comptel and Tango and also I am proud of the team that worked round the clock with the Indosat team to ensure that solution was implemented on-time and supported during the critical period”, said Subagia Handaja, President Director, Lintas Teknologi Indonesia.

Convergys Wins Gold and Silver in 2005 Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards

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Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in providing customer care, human resources, and billing services, today announced that its Employee Care Learning Solutions offering received both gold and silver awards in the 2005 Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards. Convergys was recognized during an awards ceremony and reception held in Long Beach, California, as part of the 2005 Training Fall Conference & Expo.

Both awards recognized Convergys’ learning solutions work in the Custom Content Category, Special Strength: Simulation. The Gold Award honors the development of the Microsoft Go-to-Market Sales Simulation for the Account Manager, and the development of the Mazda Selling Skills Simulation, which won the Silver Award.

“Convergys is delighted to receive this recognition from Brandon Hall, and these awards reflect the hard work and outstanding capabilities of our team to achieve superior business results for our clients,” said Marianne Langlois, vice president of Learning Solutions in Convergys’ Employee Care business. “Savvy organizations that understand their competitive edge comes from their workforce are continually seeking ways to deliver sophisticated employee training and learning solutions. These awards further validate the ability of Convergys to deliver results that meet the growing, complex training needs of organizations across all industries.”

The Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards are presented by Brandon Hall Research, one of the leading research and consulting firms in training and development. Now in its eleventh year, the Awards program showcases exceptional work in innovative learning.

“The winning entries this year show a great combination of creativity and practical results. The winners are excellent both in terms of innovation and impact on the business,” said Brandon Hall, Ph.D., chairman of the Excellence in Learning Awards program. “These winners show us what the future of learning looks like.”

Convergys is one of the first human resources administration and management companies to offer learning business process outsourcing (LBPO) services and has more than 450 learning customers. Convergys provides services ranging from comprehensive outsourcing of the entire learning function, to selective outsourcing of administrative tasks and processes, to out-tasking discrete e-learning initiatives. Learning solutions from Convergys help companies achieve breakthrough improvements in business performance by reinventing their approach to training and improving the cost, quality, and effectiveness of learning. Convergys is Outthinking, Outdoing [tm] on behalf of its clients every day.

About Brandon Hall Research
Brandon Hall, Ph.D. is the CEO of Brandon Hall Research and author of the groundbreaking “Web-Based Training Cookbook.” Since 1992, Brandon Hall Research (www.brandon-hall.com) has been providing independent research reports and expert advice on the tools and practices of innovative learning. Brandon Hall Research conducts the Awards program each year to recognize the best and to identify the new cutting edge of innovative learning. To honor the Award winners Brandon Hall Research hosts the Awards reception and ceremony in partnership with VNU and in conjunction with the Training Fall Conference and Expo.

cVidya’s MoneyMap Reduces Sarbanes Oxley Implementation Costs

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cVidya Networks, a leading provider of next generation Revenue Assurance solutions, announced today that it had participated in a catalyst project with a team from the TeleManagement Forum (TMF) in which its MoneyMap® software solution successfully helped to reduce the costs of implementing internal procedures essential for measuring compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX). Using the automated software solution, cVidya implemented configuration and usage based controls directly related to financial reporting in a scenario that involved back-to-back billing of mobile operator MTS Russia. The operator was partnering with long distance carriers to provide long distance service to its subscribers. Using a sample set of processes being monitored under SOX, the catalyst team demonstrated that the number of processes could be cut significantly in the project entitled “Sarbanes Oxley Compliance through Next Generation OSS.”

Under section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley, companies must now establish and maintain an internal control structure as well as execute full internal control assessments, evaluations and issue a report each fiscal year. The catalyst team, led by Ernst and Young Moscow, mapped a sample out of approximately 600 existing processes that require monitoring under SOX, into the eTOM model in order to reduce their number.

As part of the catalyst project, cVidya further employed its MoneyMap® software to demonstrate implementation of controls set to automatically monitor these business processes. The use of MoneyMap’s® dashboard, control wizard and configuration features significantly reduced the time needed by the financial audit teams to supervise the accuracy and the completeness of finance related controls.

“cVidya has participated with the TMF on a number of catalyst projects and we are pleased that our role in this one could provide valuable input on how to streamline the auditing and revenue assurance processes as well as reduce the overall cost to telecom operators”, said Dr. Gadi Solotorevsky, cVidya’s Chief Scientist and TMF Revenue Assurance Modeling Team Leader.

“Even before the enactment of SOX, the complexity of the operational processes was of considerable concern to telecom operators,” said Limor Schwartz, cVidya’s V.P. of RA and Risk Management Solutions. “CFOs have long sought solutions to mitigate the risks and manage their exposure on their financial reports. The catalyst project proved that the flexibility and precision of MoneyMap® allows telecom operators to use an automated solution to conform to SOX in a cost effective manner while simultaneously lowering their operational costs.”

Cable and Wireless Chooses Axiom Systems for Global IP Service Design and Delivery

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Axiom Systems Ltd, a provider of software for the design and delivery of broadband and IP services, today announced a landmark global framework agreement with one of the world’s largest service providers, Cable and Wireless.

Cable & Wireless, which has the UK’s second largest network infrastructure, has adopted the award-winning AXIOSS® technology in order to shift to Next Generation Networks and a single, integrated and versatile IP based platform.”

The multi-million pound deal will see the Axiom Systems AXIOSS(R), used to design and deliver services such as IPVPN, Metro Ethernet and VoIP. Their current IPVPN OSS systems will be replaced by AXIOSS and new systems and processes will be created to launch next generation IP services.

Gareth Senior, Chief Executive Officer at Axiom Systems said, “Given the size of the Cable and Wireless network, they required a solution with a holistic approach, which caters for a number of different services; differing types of technology; and which works across a number of different countries. AXIOSS solves this problem, whilst offering the ability to design new services as and when the market requires it.”

This implementation will offer a number of benefits to Cable and Wireless:

– Enhance their ability to offer market leading IP services, in line with the rapidly developing demand from business and residential customers;

– Offer their customers the opportunity to migrate to new services ahead of the equivalent transformation in leading competitors;

– Reduce Cable & Wireless’ operating and maintenance costs as a result of the simplification of physical and software architecture.

Mr Senior continues, “By joining us as a customer, Cable and Wireless has further cemented AXiOSS as the leading service design and provisioning solution and further boosts the reputation of our company in terms of market innovation and leadership. Axiom System’s business has seen significant growth over the past two years and our customer base demonstrates the Suite’s success at meeting the needs of today’s competitive market.”

OnFiber Wins Capacity Magazine Wholesale Telecommunications Award for Best U.S. Metro Operator

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OnFiber Communications, Inc., the premier source for purpose-built networks, today announced that it has won the Capacity Magazine Wholesale Telecommunications Award for Best U.S. Metro Operator.

The awards panel judged OnFiber to have the strongest overall metro offering across the U.S. The decision was based on five key criteria — network quality and performance, network reach, speed to market, pricing strategies and infrastructure investments. The panel of judges included industry thought-leaders, including: Camille Mendler, vice president of the Yankee Group; Stephen Young, research director of OVUM; Judy Reed Smith, CEO of Atlantic-ACM; Mark Kemp, CEO of TelCap and publisher of Capacity; and Eira Haywood, editor of Capacity.

The awards ceremony was held on November 21st, at the European Telecommunications Congress in Amsterdam. Accepting the award on behalf of the company was Jeri Wolf, senior vice president of operations and construction for OnFiber.

“It is always an honor to be recognized by influential members of our industry,” said Jeri. “OnFiber is made up of exceptional individuals dedicated to a common goal — customer loyalty. Because our goal is to deliver highly reliable and secure network services on time, every time, every employee does whatever it takes to make sure our customers are happy. That is what makes OnFiber stand out.”

In December, Capacity Magazine will publish an awards supplement to the magazine that features all the winners of the Capacity Magazine Wholesale Telecommunications Awards.

About Capacity Magazine
The only monthly publication that focuses on the latest business techniques and strategies for bringing innovation and efficiency to the wholesale telecommunications industry. We bring together operators, carriers, service providers, metro-fiber providers, system integrators, equipment providers, OSS providers and end users. Capacity magazine is a must-read for all companies striving to maintain competitive advantage and achieve optimal business performance within the telecommunications community. Capacity offers a powerful, focused and unique marketing vehicle to reach the most senior level within the wholesale industry.

About OnFiber Communications, Inc.
OnFiber provides high performance fiber networks for the world’s most respected companies. Fortune 1000 corporations, global telecom giants and the Internet organizations that define the Web, all rely on OnFiber’s infrastructure. The company’s unique process, AdaptiveBuild™, produces individually designed, built and managed metropolitan and wide-area solutions. Because OnFiber’s networks are created for specific application and service needs, enterprises and telecommunications providers benefit from security, reliability and performance that is purpose-built. OnFiber owns networks in major cities throughout the US and offers a full suite of transport technologies including Wavelength, Ethernet and SONET. For more information please visit www.onfiber.com or call 1-866-ONFIBER.

OnFiber, Coil Design, AdaptiveLink and AdaptiveBuild are trademarks or registered trademarks of OnFiber Communications, Inc. in the US. All other products or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Convergys and ClickFox Form Alliance for Application Hosting and Product Expansion

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(Cincinnati; November 21, 2005) – Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in customer care, human resources, and billing services, announced today an alliance with ClickFox, Inc., an industry pioneer in providing Customer Behavior Intelligence (CBI) solutions for optimizing the customer experience across multiple channels. The alliance between Convergys and ClickFox combines customer management expertise, analytic capabilities, and technology to deliver a comprehensive solution for assessing, optimizing, and implementing multi-channel customer experience improvements.

The alliance provides for Convergys to integrate ClickFox’s CBI modeling solutions into its Customer Management Professional Services offerings and for ClickFox to use Convergys as a preferred hosting provider of ClickFox applications for ClickFox clients. “ClickFox clients will greatly benefit from the operational expertise and state-of-the-art facilities Convergys delivers as a leading provider of hosted solutions,” said Bill Hawley, Chief Operations Officer for ClickFox.

“Highly-experienced Convergys management and technical personnel will manage the day-to-day operations of our applications for ClickFox clients, deploying a well-documented and proven operating model that delivers redundant data security, high scalability, and operational efficiency.

“Convergys will use the ClickFox software to develop specific, actionable recommendations for improving customer management practices and increasing customer satisfaction for our clients,” said Tom Mangan, Senior Vice President of Professional Services for Convergys’ Customer Management Group. “We found the analytical capabilities of the ClickFox software to be particularly strong as it maps customer interactions across multiple contact channels to reveal bottlenecks in customer transaction flow, problems with navigation, and root causes for customer transfers to live agents for assistance. “With these insights, Convergys can deliver the real customer story to our clients, optimize their agent and self-service channels, help them to enhance their customer interactions, better align their enterprise business processes, and improve their customer satisfaction.” Both companies support large enterprises that have high volumes of customer transactions in multi-channel customer care environments.

By applying more than 20 years of operational experience in customer care, Convergys brings clarity and rigor to defining, implementing, and managing client-specific solutions. Convergys’ solutions help our clients improve operational efficiency and service quality, enrich the customer experience, and strengthen customer relationships to improve their competitive advantage and increase revenue growth. Convergys is outthinking and out doing [tm] on behalf of its clients every day.

ABOUT CLICKFOX
ClickFox is a pioneer in Customer Behavior Intelligence. Its patented software enables companies to transform existing customer data into true, objective insight by showing customers’ step-by-step behavior within and across self-service systems, such as voice and speech-enabled IVRs, web, kiosks and CRM applications. ClickFox translates interactions from multiple service touch points into an intuitive, visual map, revealing quickly and easily what customers actually do and why, so that companies can align customer needs to their business objectives. Find company information at www.clickfox.com.

Y-Tel Signs 13 New Carriers

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MIAMI, Nov. 17, 2005 — Y-Tel (OTC Bulletin Board: YTLI) has signed 13 new carriers and doubled their traffic, which has added millions of minutes to their VoIP Network each month. Y-Tel International announced today the company has finished the contractual services provided to Digicel and has subsequently completed the convergence from the DMS platform to the new VoIP infrastructure. The new network will significantly reduce operating cost and includes a redundant backup for network operations in Dallas, Texas.

The resulting traffic volume now being terminated across the company’s new VoIP network has more than doubled for September and October adding millions of minutes each month.

Steve Lipman, President of Y-Tel, stated, “As a result of the migration, our technical team has added 13 new customers, which are now running traffic across the Company’s new network. The expected traffic volumes should continue to increase as we add new routes.”

SYNDESIS AND PARTNERS WITH ALCATEL TO DEMONSTRATE ITS TRIPLE PLAY BSS/OSS SOLUTION

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Convergent Service Delivery Management Accelerates Service Fulfillment, Creates Dynamic Customer Experience

TELEMANAGEMENT WORLD – Dallas, TX, November 9, 2005 – Syndesis provides a critical component of Alcatel’s (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) revolutionary Triple Play management solution, which is being demonstrated today in a specially hosted “by-invitation-only” event for attendees of TeleManagement World 2005.

This live demonstration, which showcases the IPTV application of Alcatel’s full Triple Play BSS/OSS solution, will be permanently hosted at Alcatel’s Plano-based Operational Support Systems Integration Laboratory – the world’s largest lab dedicated to Triple Play and IPTV.

Alcatel has integrated Syndesis’ award-winning NetProvision service delivery management solution, including automated provisioning and activation, into Alcatel’s new Triple Play BSS/OSS solution. These solutions enable communications service providers worldwide to immediately transform their networks, successfully launch services in real-time and deliver a truly dynamic customer experience.

“Today’s enlightened customers expect fast and accurate service delivery, uncompromising quality and the ability to manage their own services,” said Chris Swan, SVP Sales, Marketing and Alliances for Syndesis. “Backed by the power of partners like Syndesis, the Alcatel Triple Play BSS/OSS solution makes this a reality.”

The BSS/OSS applications that are the cornerstone of Alcatel’s Triple Play solution will enable service providers to quickly deploy Triple Play services, grow their revenues, monitor service quality and compete more effectively.

TeleManagement World takes place November 7 – 10 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Syndesis is exhibiting at booth 326. Additional information is available from the TeleManagement World website at: http://www.tmforum.com/browse.asp?catID=2398.

About Syndesis (www.syndesis.com)
Syndesis is the leader in Convergent Service Delivery Management, empowering the world’s leading Communications Service Providers to deliver new network experiences for their customers. Renowned for customer success, in-depth network expertise and off-the-shelf support for more technologies and equipment than any other OSS software developer, Syndesis is the vendor of choice in deployments at more than 20 major service providers worldwide including Bell Canada, Cingular, MCI, Qwest, SBC, Sprint, Swisscom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica Empresas, TELUS and Verizon Wireless. Billions of dollars in service provider revenues from millions of new data services are processed through Syndesis platforms annually. A privately held company, Syndesis is profitable and is the recipient of numerous awards and widespread industry recognition for innovative technology, highly responsive customer service and groundbreaking solutions.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.

Singapore’s SingTel Deploys Micromuse’s Netcool® Solutions for Assurance of Fixed Line and Mobile Service Delivery Infrastructure

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Singapore’s SingTel Deploys Micromuse’s Netcool® Solutions for Assurance of Fixed Line and Mobile Service Delivery Infrastructure

Netcool® Solutions Deliver End-to-End Service Visibility via Executive-Level Realtime Dashboards

SAN FRANCISCO – Micromuse Inc. (Nasdaq: MUSE), the leading provider of ultra-scalable, realtime business and service assurance software, today announced that Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), has implemented the Netcool solution to deliver enhanced service assurance, visibility and service level metrics for its fixed line and mobile voice and data networks. SingTel has significant operations in Singapore and Australia as well as a further presence in 35 cities across 17 countries.

“SingTel continues to invest in our extensive communications infrastructure to ensure the delivery of consistent, reliable and quality service uptime to our customers,” said Mr. Hoh Wing Chee, SingTel’s Vice President of Network Operations. “The Netcool solution, which we are implementing for our new Integrated Network Operations Support System in Singapore, will enable us to view, assess and proactively manage our fixed and mobile network infrastructure as well as services from a single point of control. It will help improve our efficiency as we consolidate and automate our functions.”

Micromuse’s Netcool solutions provide an end-to-end service assurance, service quality management, and consolidated operations management platform across SingTel’s fixed line and mobile networks. Utilizing the Netcool solutions, SingTel’s operations staff can gain a centralized, realtime, web-enabled service level view of consumer and corporate services. This helps staff to monitor and manage the performance, availability and status of its service-delivery infrastructure and to quickly identify and prioritize infrastructure faults before they impact customer service or breach service level agreements.

NCS Communications Engineering Pte. Ltd. (NCSCE), the system integrator, and Fastwire, a Micromuse channel partner, delivered the design and implementation of SingTel’s network and systems management infrastructure to ensure the rapid implementation of the Netcool solutions and to deliver a management solution that provides SingTel with a scalable service assurance platform and earlier return on investment.

“Micromuse is pleased to be delivering strategic service assurance solutions to SingTel,” said Matthew Wee, South East Asia Regional Director for Micromuse. “Micromuse’s Netcool solutions enable timely, accurate and integrated service level views for large, complex IT infrastructures, helping the world’s largest service providers to provide enhanced customer care, product innovation and service quality.”

About SingTel
SingTel is Asia’s leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms.

The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia’s largest multi-market mobile operator, serving more than 71 million customers in seven markets.

SingTel employs more than 19,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$12.62 billion (US$7.65 billion) and net profit after tax of S$3.27 billion (US$1.98 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2005. More information can be found at www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au.

About Fastwire

Fastwire is the solution architect of choice for Asia’s leading service providers. We are a systems integrator providing advanced technology solutions, specializing in the design, implementation and support of turnkey OSS and network solutions.

Fastwire’s consultants have attained the highest level certification in key technology areas. Whatever stage your business is at, Fastwire can help. Fastwire maximizes value to our customers through a unique consulting process which delivers a tailor made package to meet your specific requirements. From this Fastwire produces a turnkey solution that you know works.

Fastwire was established in 1998, with offices in Sydney (HQ), Melbourne, Canberra, New Zealand and Singapore. The website is www.fastwire.com.sg.

About Micromuse

Micromuse Inc. (Nasdaq: MUSE) is the leading provider of ultra-scalable, realtime business and service assurance software solutions. The Netcool® software suite provides organizations with the assurance that their IT systems are supporting and driving profits 24 hours a day. Unlike traditional infrastructure management systems, Netcool solutions provide realtime end-to-end visibility and accurate troubleshooting from a business perspective. Such business intelligence allows organizations to respond to problems quickly, streamline workflow processes and improve business uptime. Micromuse customers include BT, Cable & Wireless, Deutsche Telekom, EarthLink, ITC^DeltaCom, JPMorgan Chase, MCI, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Headquarters are located at 650 Townsend Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94103; (415) 568-9800. The Web site is at www.micromuse.com.

Vibrant Solutions Delivers Enhanced Power To Telecom Carriers With New Release Of Viewlogic 7 Software

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Vibrant Solutions today announced key upgrades to ViewLogic 7, its third-generation cost management and analytics system. ViewLogic Release 7.2 delivers improved workflow performance, better auditing visibility, additional system security and upgraded industry-standard technology platforms. Two Tier 1 North American carriers are currently implementing ViewLogic 7.2.

“Vibrant Solutions introduced ViewLogic 7 on May 1, 2004, and at the same time announced Verizon Services Organization as one of its first customers. Since then nine carriers have purchased our cost management solutions,” said Simon Krieger, Vibrant Solutions’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We developed this new release in collaboration with our customers.”

Enhancements to ViewLogic in Release 7.2 include:

Better audit visibility – Network circuit and feature auditing details are now visible to the analyst in a simpler way; thus allowing the analyst to make dispute decisions in an easier, faster manner.

Automated database management and improved system performance – supported by Oracle® 10g.

Improved reporting, tracking and analytics – delivered through a sophisticated, user-friendly, web interface, incorporating Business ObjectsTM 6.5 Web Intelligence.

Expanded security – In addition to row-level security and encryption features in the ViewLogic platform, carrier security administrators are now afforded additional password management options and improved transaction logging. These improvements will help carriers meet stringent control requirements, such as those suggested by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

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Three Telcos Choose OMNIA™ in Order to Quickly Go to Market with New Products and Services

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SunTec successfully implements Interconnect billing solutions for HFCL Infotel Ltd

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SunTec Business Solutions, the Trivandrum- based customer care and billing solution provider has successfully implemented the Interconnect billing solutions for HFCL Infotel Ltd. (HITL), the networking arm of the Himachal Futuristic Communication Ltd. (HFCL) a leading telecom operator in Punjab. SunTec’s Retail Billing solution, Transaction Business Management System (TBMS) was installed at HITL eighteen months back. [Read more…]