[October 24, 2001]

Convergent Networks Launches Cohesion Alliance Partner Program 

Convergent Networks, a provider of broadband voice infrastructure solutions, launched its Cohesion Alliance Partner Program to further the development and deployment of new public network technologies. Alliance members span the telecom industry and include technology providers, hardware vendors, applications developers, and network consultants who share a common goal of helping service providers successfully deploy end-to-end packet-based solutions over the PSTN, ATM and IP networks. To achieve its deployment mission, the Alliance will promote interoperability of leading-edge access and core network technologies through support of standards, leverage embedded systems for the development of best-in-class platforms, ensure integration and support of next-generation equipment into existing carrier networks and work together to educate and market next-generation solutions to service providers.

�The real promise of next-generation technology lies not in the individual components, but in how well they are integrated into solutions for customers,� said Deb Mielke, principal, Treillage Network Strategies. �The Cohesion Alliance Partner Program demonstrates a commitment from vendors to work together ensuring the future of the New Public Network.�

Current members of the Cohesion Alliance Program include: Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc., Petaluma, Calif.; Advanced Switching Communications, Inc. (ASC), Vienna, Va.; Cognitronics Corporation, Danbury, Conn.; Data Connection Limited (DCL), London, U.K; dynamicsoft Inc, East Hanover, N.J.; Efficient Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Corp. and Siemens AG, Dallas, Texas; Kenetec, Naugatuck, Conn.; Marconi plc, London, U.K.; Polycom, Inc., Milpitas, Calif.; Texas Instruments, VoIP Business, Germantown, Md.; Dallas, Texas; TimesTen Performance Software, Mountain View, Calif.; Trillium Digital Systems, Inc., an Intel company, Los Angeles, Calif.; Ulticom, Inc., Mt. Laurel, N.J.; VINA Technologies, Newark, Calif.; and Vpacket Communications, Milpitas, Calif.

�Convergent Networks is committed to providing carriers with the resources they need to succeed in today�s highly competitive telecommunications market,� said Sally Bament, vice president of marketing and product management at Convergent Networks. �As new technologies and applications come to market, it is critical that they are integrated seamlessly into carrier-ready solutions. The Cohesion Alliance Partner Program brings together leading communications suppliers, ensuring that next-generation solutions interoperate and satisfy the requirements for a wide range of network architectures.�

Alliance Program benefits include the opportunity to conduct interoperability testing with Convergent Networks� Cohesion broadband switching product suite; educational forums to learn more about next-generation solutions, such as the Cohesion product family and to explore ideas with other partners in the Alliance Program; and the ability to leverage co-marketing opportunities with Convergent Networks, such as trade shows and seminars. Members of the Alliance are currently grouped into two categories: Communications Equipment Partners and Technology Partners.

Communications Equipment Partners are leading manufacturers of a diverse range of equipment used as the foundation for enabling packet-based, next-generation communications services. They include manufacturers of access equipment, core switching products, customer premises equipment, as well as solutions used to support applications, such as announcement generation and others. Communications Equipment Partners can join the Alliance Program and work toward becoming �Cohesion-certified� in the Cohesion test lab.

Technology Partners provide Convergent Networks with embedded hardware and software systems to deliver optimal performance in the Cohesion product family. Convergent Networks and its Technology Partners will work together to co-market the benefits of best-in-class next-generation switching solutions.

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