Newport Networks deploys Hughes Software Systems SIP Technology

HSS' SIP Technology powers the Newport Networks MediaProxy™ 1460 session controller

CHEPSTOW, UK, January 14, 2003 -- Newport Networks Limited today announced that it has deployed Hughes Software Systems' (HSS) SIP & Megaco technology in the Newport Networks MediaProxy™ 1460 session controller.

This partnership combines the proven expertise of HSS in providing standards compliant signalling protocols with the high performance and resilient media stream processing provided by the carrier class Newport Networks MediaProxy™ 1460.

The MediaProxy™ 1460 is part of the critical infrastructure that Service Providers need in order to sell commercially viable, managed voice and multimedia services over IP. It accelerates the launch of these IP-based services to consumer and business customers and extends the service reach to a global market.

The HSS SIP technology is a key element of the MediaProxy™ 1460. Adopting the IETF Midcom architecture, the signalling layer communicates with the media control layer through the HSS Megaco interface. As part of this turnkey solution, HSS will integrate the Newport Networks SignallingProxy™ adjunct into the MediaProxy™ 1460.

HSS offers robust, tested and always-compliant infrastructure SIP software modules. Being among the first to adopt SIP technology, HSS today has the most comprehensive and proven industry offering. The comprehensive, multi-pronged SIP offerings from HSS are designed to suit the requirements of application development at various levels. These are: stack APIs for low-level manipulation, a toolkit for abstracted APIs for call-level applications and the SIP Server Framework as a ready-to-deploy infrastructure enabler to plug-in new & innovative applications.

The synergy of HSS’ SIP Stack Framework and Newport Networks' MediaProxy™ 1460 will provide Service Providers with a cutting edge solution for IP-networks that support voice and multimedia services.

"HSS' SIP Stack Technology provides Telecom Equipment Manufacturers and Application Stack Vendors with a rich set of APIs that enable development of a niche VoP application", said Manoranjan Mahopatra, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hughes Software Systems (HSS). "Newport Networks provide the critical enabling technology for future IP based voice and multimedia services."

"We chose Hughes Software Systems because they excel in SIP technology and have tremendous experience, domain expertise and leadership in this area," said John Everard, Chief Executive Officer of Newport Networks. "Our partnership with HSS provides the MediaProxy™ 1460 with the flexibility to support external Call Agents via the Megaco interface and with the integrated SignallingProxy™ ensures rapid deployment in SIP based networks. The contribution of HSS delivers tangible business advantages for our customers."

About Newport Networks Limited

Newport Networks' mission is to accelerate the commercial launch of IP telephony and multimedia services and extend their reach to a global market. The company develops the critical solutions that Service Providers need in order to sell managed voice and multimedia services over IP to business and residential customers. The Newport Networks MediaProxy™ 1460 session controller is a new breed of IP networking equipment that enables Service Providers to deliver increased value to their subscribers and capture new revenue more quickly by combing the best features of traditional circuit switched technology with that of the Internet. It provides the features, scalability, performance and reliability that Service Providers need to deliver successful managed voice and multimedia services over IP.

For further information, please visit www.newport-networks.com

For further information, please contact:

Craig Decker
+44 (0) 1291 435 700 (HQ)
+44 (0) 7775 557 510 (Cell)

About Hughes Software Systems (HSS)

Hughes Software Systems (HSS), a Hughes Electronics Corporation subsidiary, is a leading player in the IT Outsourcing market. HSS provides services to more than 150 customers worldwide, in the Telecom Infrastructure, Communication Service Provider, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors.

HSS, India's leading communication software services provider, offers convergent solutions to global telecom infrastructure providers through its outsourcing services and products for Fixed and Mobile networks for Voice and Data.

A global leader in protocol signaling solutions today, HSS products and services help build comprehensive solutions for Voice over Packet and Broadband Wireless data. Its outsourcing services span the entire software lifecycle, from maintaining and enhancing legacy systems to product design, development, and testing services.

In leveraging the OEM relationship, HSS provides Business and Operational Support Systems (BSS and OSS) in integration and legacy application maintenance services to telecom service providers. In the communication applications space, HSS provides the full spectrum of services to Independent Software Vendors (ISV), OEMs, and Telecom companies.

HSS addresses the BPO space through its dedicated division, Hughes BPO Services (HughesBPO), which provides 24 X 7 X 365 Contact Center and, transaction and back-office processing services. HughesBPO contact centers provide in-bound and out-bound online customer care services using voice, chat, and e-mail across multiple industry segments such as IT and Networking, Telecom, Automotive, Insurance, Banking, and Financial Services.

Leveraging its expertise in network services and stellar project management, HSS is poised to provide outsourcing services in the BFSI space, and deliver unprecedented levels of value for customers.

Commended as one of the Best Employers in India, for the last two years, (BT- Hewitt study), HSS has two outsourcing centers in Gurgaon, a suburb of New Delhi, India, and in Bangalore. HSS has sales and support operations in 10 international locations and has more than 1600 employees worldwide.

For more information about HSS contact:

Jay Vikram Bakshi
Senior Manager,
Corporate Communications
Phone: +91-124-6346666
Extn. 2865
Fax: + 91-124- 6347895
Email: jbakshi@hss.hns.com