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Iowa IOC Deploys MetaSwitch to Support Total Migration to Packet-based Switching; Butler-Bremer Communications Replaces Nortel DMS-10 TDM Switches to Improve Efficiency and Enable Enhanced ServicesDES MOINES, Iowa --(Business Wire)-- March 8, 2006 -- Butler-Bremer Communications, an independent telecommunications services provider serving customers throughout northeast Iowa, today announced at the Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association annual conference that it is deploying four softswitches from MetaSwitch to replace its legacy Nortel DMS-10 TDM switches and migrate its network to a pure IP packet-switched environment. "We've tracked the evolution of the market closely, and we are convinced that the migration to a pure packet environment is the direction of the world," said Rich McBurney, General Manager of Butler-Bremer. "After an in-depth evaluation, it was clear that MetaSwitch offered the only solution with both the Class 5 and VoIP functionality in place today to allow for a full migration to a packet-based environment. With MetaSwitch, we gain a much more efficient network and we anticipate that we'll be able to substantially reduce switching costs while introducing new services. Ultimately, MetaSwitch will enable us to thrive in the new telecom age that we see dawning." In operation for more than 100 years, Butler-Bremer Communications provides local telephone, cellular, voice mail, cable television, and Internet services to customers over 175 square miles of northeast Iowa. The company decided to migrate its network to packet-based switching in order to reduce the cost of network operations, and provide a means to easily and quickly deploy new services for customers. Butler-Bremer is currently deploying the MetaSwitch switches and expects to complete its total network replacement by the end of Q2 2006. "MetaSwitch delivers reliable Class 5 capabilities, enhanced packet-based services, and an award-winning IMS-ready softswitch in a future-proof architecture that bridges the gap between legacy and next-generation voice," said Mike Ward, senior vice president of sales at MetaSwitch. "We are gratified to be able to partner with Butler-Bremer and support their transition to an all-IP network that will enable the company to deliver enhanced VoIP services and fuel future growth." About Butler-Bremer Communications Butler-Bremer Communications provides local telephone, cellular, voice mail, cable television, and Internet services in Iowa. The company has been providing telephone and advanced business data services to customers over 175 square miles of Northeast Iowa for 100 years. A small, local company with lower overhead, Butler-Bremer can afford to offer its customers the lowest rates available, move faster to meet their needs, and provide more personal service than the large national telephone companies. About MetaSwitch MetaSwitch is an industry-leading vendor of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) switching and applications solutions for both packet and circuit-switched networks. Its widely deployed call agent, media/signaling gateway and application server platform supports a full range of legacy Class 4/5 capabilities and hosted unified communications services, and scales from a few hundred to millions of subscribers in both integrated and distributed configurations. Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as well as operators of broadband wireless, cable and fiber networks. MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology provider Data Connection. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with main US offices in California and Virginia, and European headquarters in London, UK. 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. Copyright (C) 2006 Data Connection Limited |
