Covergence Session Manager Latest VoIP-Peerable Device Certified XConnect-Ready

Testing for ENUM Query Compatibility Streamlines Service Providers` Access to
XConnect Registry and Participation in Peering Federations
LONDON & MAYNARD, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
XConnect, the leader in Voice over IP (VoIP) and Next Generation Network (NGN)
peering, today announced that the Covergence Session Manager has been certified
XConnect-Ready. The certification is another step in the development of a
global, multi-provider, IP alternative to legacy TDM communication
infrastructure.

Produced by Covergence, the leading provider of software solutions that enable
organizations to transition from legacy voice to voice as a Web service on their
IP network, the Covergence Session Manager (CSM) is a comprehensive package of
security, Web-enabling and session management solutions for SIP applications and
services marketed to service providers and enterprises.

Certification through the XConnect Ready Partners Program establishes that
service providers deploying CSM can query XConnect`s ENUM registry for
session-routing information. The designation also means the CSM`s routing and
peering functions work securely and seamlessly for members of XConnect
federations. This ensures, in turn, that calls from a CSM-equipped service
provider`s network can be routed over IP through any XConnect federation member,
reaching end points all over the world while bypassing the PSTN.

Avoiding the PSTN delivers key advantages to service providers and their
customers. It reduces termination costs while improving call quality. In
addition, circumventing PSTN hops permits advanced SIP multimedia services to be
carried from end to end of an all-IP call or session.

Reflecting this last benefit, the CSM is designed to help service providers
extend their portfolios (and revenue sources) beyond VoIP. It enables them to
add innovative, application-integrated functions, such as instant messaging,
multimedia conferencing, find-me/follow-me, click-to-dial and presence, as well
as to deliver all these features as Web services.

"Having used CSM to add, for example, hosted instant messaging, audio, video,
white-boarding and application sharing to their VoIP offering, our service
provider customers will be eager to extend the reach of their applications by
routing sessions to millions of end points via XConnect federation peers," said
Jim Moran, Covergence president and CEO. "They will be able to charge for
advanced services and improve their call quality, while still, if they choose,
passing on lower international calling costs - an attractive offer."

"Interoperability between the CSM and our ENUM registry and multi-protocol
interworking hub will enrich savings and revenue opportunities for Covergence
customers belonging to XConnect peering federations," said Eli Katz, XConnect
CEO and founder. "Partnering with Covergence brings us closer to universal
routing of voice, video and converged IP communications spanning fixed and
mobile providers."

The CSM is the latest in a series of devices to successfully undergo XC-Ready
interoperability testing. Its certification follows that of other network
elements, such as SIP proxies and session border controllers, as well as
converged ENUM and SS7/C7 addressing and routing engines. The XConnect Ready
Partners Program is designed to create an ecosystem of pretested vendors and
solutions to facilitate peering.

About XConnect:

London-based XConnect offers a comprehensive suite of peering, interconnect and
registry services that enable IP communications operators to connect and
exchange voice and multimedia traffic within secure, ENUM-based peering
federations. XConnect`s services enable telecom service providers to reduce
interconnection costs, improve service quality, simplify operations, and offer
rich multimedia IP communications on a cross-network basis. Backed by Tier 1
venture capital firms, including Accel Partners and Venrock Associates, XConnect
was selected by the cable industry in the Netherlands to operate the first
national VoIP peering solution. XConnect has lead industry consolidation via the
acquisition of the European carrier ENUM exchange e164.info and US-based peering
service IPeerX Inc. For more information, please visit www.xconnect.net.

About Covergence:

Covergence is a leading provider of software solutions that enable the Global
1000 to transition from legacy voice to voice as a low-cost web service. Our
communications middleware enables organizations to increase productivity,
profitability and shareholder value by collapsing voice and data networks,
consolidating PBXs, and transforming dial-tone and presence into web services.

XConnect Ready is a registered trademark of XConnect. Covergence and Covergence
Session are registered trademarks of Covergence. All other company and product
names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are
associated.

for XConnect
Laura Abbott, +1 203-869-8217
laura.abbott@comunicano.com
or
for Covergence
Tim Morin, +1 617-758-4158
tim@famapr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009