Hughes Software Systems and Convedia successfully complete product interoperability testing using SIP and MGCP

Interoperability between HSS Softswitch Framework, HSS SIP Server Framework and Convedia Media Servers will help accelerate deployment of Softswitching technologies for fixed and mobile network operators.

San Jose, California, March 31, 2003 - Hughes Software Systems Ltd. (HSS), specialists in convergent network software, and Convedia, a leading provider of open media processing platforms for converged networks, today announced successful completion of interoperability testing between Convedia’s CMS-6000 and CMS-1000 Media Servers, and HSS’ Softswitch Framework and HSS’ SIP Server Framework.

During Spring 2003 VON, a next generation conferencing solution is being demonstrated in HSS’ booth# 201 consisting of the HSS SIP Server Framework integrated with Convedia’s CMS-1000 Media Server. The HSS SIP Server Framework, coupled with Convedia’s Media Servers, will speed the development of new communications services based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for 3G wireless and fixed network operators.

Interoperability between HSS Softswitch Framework and Convedia’s Media Servers was completed using the MGCP control protocol and enables the delivery of a broad array of CLASS services such as distinctive call ringing on Call Waiting and Three-way calling, along with a broad array of IN services which require IVR capabilities.

"Our Softswitch Framework and SIP Server Framework products are designed for equipment manufacturers and applications developers who want to reduce time to revenue for next generation network solutions", said Manoranjan Mohapatra, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Hughes Software Systems. "Full support for Convedia’s powerful media servers allows Hughes customers to quickly create media rich applications and services, and further reduces the complexity of developing sophisticated next generation communication solutions", he added."

"Convedia is pleased that HSS has completed interoperability with our industry leading IP media servers", said Grant Henderson, Convedia co-founder and Executive Vice President - Marketing and Strategy. "Our mutual commitment to open, multi-protocol standards, and industry leading features and capabilities, accelerates the ability of our customers to deliver economical, revenue generating enhanced service solutions."

About Hughes Software Systems

Hughes Software Systems (HSS), a Hughes Electronics Corporation subsidiary, is a leading player in global software outsourcing. HSS serves more than 180 customers worldwide, in the Telecom Infrastructure, Communication Service Provider, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) 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 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.

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: +91-124-2346666 Extn 2865
Fax: +91-124-2347895
Email: jbakshi@hss.hns.com

About Convedia

Convedia Corporation is a leading supplier of next-generation, softswitch-compliant media servers that enable communication service providers to rapidly deliver innovative and differentiated voice and video services over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

Convedia’s award winning family of products includes the CMS-6000 Media Server, a carrier class media server capable of scaling to 18,000 ports per shelf and the CMS-1000 Media Server, a low cost, entry level media server designed for smaller service providers, large enterprise, and network edge deployment. Convedia media servers are purpose-built to deliver carrier class media processing capabilities including announcement generation, conference bridging, DTMF tone detection and generation, various codec options and transcoding, message play/record, and speech processing. Convedia media servers support the media processing power required for a broad range of revenue generating services such as conferencing, calling card, interactive voice response (IVR), IP Centrex, call center, unified messaging, network gaming, and speech portal services.

Convedia is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and financed by leading venture capitalists. For additional information about Convedia, its products or the role of media servers in 3G wireless, softswitch, or PacketCable architectures , visit www.convedia.com.

*Convedia is a trademark of Convedia Corporation

For more information about Convedia contact:

Grant Henderson
+1 (604) 918-6309
ghenderson@convedia.com