Sonus Networks and BICS Transform BICS' Entire Network to all IP Core for Next-Generation Services

WESTFORD, Mass., and BRUSSELS, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sonus Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONS), a leader in IP networking, and BICS, the fourth largest wholesale voice provider in the world, today announced the successful completion of the operator's IP-based core network migration, a massive undertaking equivalent to more than 10,000 E1 TDM and SIP trunks.  Featuring advanced IP capabilities such as centralized routing, hybrid trunking and secure session border control, the new core IP network was completed in record time for a network of its size and under strict requirements of no downtime for BICS' existing end customers during the migration.

"We are extremely pleased with the IP networking know-how and the ability of Sonus architects and services personnel to deliver on large scale projects with complex integration and risk management requirements, as evidenced by the success of this ambitious project that was completed in less than 15 months," commented Pierre-Andre Rulmont, Chief Technical Officer for BICS.  "With our advanced IP core network in place, we now have a way to linearly scale our capacity and offer new IP-based services to address customer demand while consolidating and managing traffic from Africa, the Middle East and Asia using only a few central locations, and continuing to ensure the security of our network borders."

The network transformation involved replacing TDM trunking with a SIP core, adding centralized routing and policy management capabilities while assuring inter-working with the legacy ISUP connections, and supporting the multitude of international standards currently in use by BICS.  As one of the largest wholesale voice providers in the world, BICS has a diverse and growing customer base with unique requirements, so it was important to be able to service the existing customers while also enabling enhanced service offerings for the new customers.

"BICS is a great example of a large tier-one service provider that has demonstrated thought leadership in its approach to architecting its network for business growth," said Guru Pai, chief operating officer at Sonus Networks. "Using Sonus' unique hybrid trunking solution, BICS can gracefully migrate its legacy TDM connections to IP without causing a service disruption, manage multiple traffic types centrally, and at the same time start rolling out new IP services using the flexible IP core."

The Sonus next generation network deployed at BICS will centrally manage policy and routing on the BICS network regardless of the traffic type. The same implementation will concurrently support BICS legacy TDM traffic and next generation IP traffic. As their wholesale customers move to all IP environments, the BICS investments in Sonus GSX hardware will transition to Sonus NBS border security and media transcoding, without requiring a forklift.

The new BICS core IP network is made up of the GSX9000™ Open Services Switch, PSX™ Call Routing Server, SGX™ Signaling Gateway, the Sonus Insight™ Management System, as well as the NBS9000™ Network Border Switch for enhanced border security and advanced IP peering capabilities.

About Belgacom ICS

BICS delivers best in class global solutions for Voice, Messaging, Roaming, Connectivity and Mobile Financial Services to hundreds of telecommunication providers around the world.

With our passionate and creative teams located in Brussels, Bern, Monaco, Dubai, Singapore and New York, we continuously strive to provide our customers with the highest levels of quality, reliability and interoperability that enable them to maximise End-user value.

Our innovative approach is visible through our place at the forefront of the market consolidation and technology advancement.  We are a joint venture of Belgacom, Swisscom and MTN, and have rolled out transformative Next Generation Networks (NGN). This together with our continued focus on Value Added Services for Mobile Operators and our growth strategy has enabled us to reach a world-leading position both on the International Voice and Mobile Data markets.

For more information, please visit: www.bics.com

About Sonus Networks

Sonus Networks, Inc. is a leader in IP networking with proven expertise in delivering secure, reliable and scalable next generation infrastructure and subscriber solutions.  With customers in over 50 countries across the globe and over a decade of experience in transforming networks to IP, Sonus has enabled service providers and enterprises to capture and retain users and generate significant ROI.  Sonus products include media and signaling gateways, policy/routing servers, session border controllers and subscriber feature servers.  Sonus products are supported by a global services team with experience in design, deployment and maintenance of some of the world's largest and most complex IP networks.  For more information visit www.sonusnet.com.

This release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results.  Readers are referred to Item 1A "Risk Factors" of Sonus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and all subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statements represent Sonus' views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing Sonus' views as of any subsequent date.  While Sonus may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Sonus specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law.

Sonus is a registered trademark of Sonus Networks, Inc.  All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

SOURCE Sonus Networks, Inc.