Nigeria's Starcomms Evolves to All-IP Next-Gen Network With PT's SEGway(tm) Solution

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PT (Nasdaq: PTIX), the recently rebranded Performance Technologies, a leading global provider of advanced network communications solutions, today announced that its SEGway™ Signalling Solution was selected to upgrade Starcomms' network in Nigeria. A full service CDMA carrier in the country, Starcomms serves 3.2 million customers in Nigeria with mobile services, Internet broadband services, and fixed wireless services.

A leader in its field, Starcomms is the first telecommunications operator in Nigeria to be listed publicly on the domestic stock exchange, and states 'PRIDE' as its key corporate value. Ever forward thinking and responsible to its subscribers, Starcomms is transitioning its network to a complete IP architecture. The carrier designed a hierarchical network topology using PT's SEGway signalling solution at the core, which allows effortless interconnection of IP elements to existing equipment.

SEGway's highly reliable and efficient solution reduces signalling complexity and provides the ability to view and manage the network from a central location. The robust platform provides a single point of interconnect with other networks, and centralized administration of routing, resulting in the most cost-effective transport between cities. This technology avoids all the inherent pitfalls of legacy mesh networks, such as single points of failure, signalling traffic congestion, and costly operations, administration, and management.

"It is paramount to us that we work with a supplier that possesses exceptional SS7 expertise," said Trino Guzman, head of Engineering from Starcomms. "PT's technology delivers exceptional performance, and their team made our network migration easy, transparent, and seamless. PT meets our high standard of pride when it comes to top performance."

"PT's versatile signalling platform places the core network in an advantageous position with regard to the looming number portability regulation in Nigeria," said Patt Rice, senior vice president, Sales, Marketing, and Service for PT. "SEGway enables any operator to quickly, efficiently, and seamlessly introduce Mobile Number Portability to meet the December 2010 deadline."

PT's state-of-the art SEGway platform is a highly reliable signalling system that provides operators a smooth migration to IP and SIP Next-Generation Networks. In addition to number portability, it enables message accounting, and advanced routing.

John Slusser, PT president and chief executive officer, commented, "We are most pleased to add Starcomms, a highly regarded, progressive service provider, to our SEGway installed base. These are exciting yet challenging times for African telecommunications operators as they anticipate substantial subscriber growth and evolution to more advanced networks. PT has made a strategic commitment to the region with leading edge network solutions backed by unsurpassed service and support."

Online Resources

Telecommunications system architects and carrier network engineers needing advanced, signalling and next generation telecom solutions such as mobile number portability, can learn more about PT's SEGway and Xpress™ offerings by accessing the following online resources:

SEGway Carrier Solutions: www.pt.com/page/carriers

SEGway Number Portability: pt.com/page/segway/number-portability

SEGway Signalling Solutions: www.pt.com/page/segway

Xpress™ Next Generation Applications: www.pt.com/page/xpress

About Starcomms (www.starcomms.com)

Starcomms is the leading CDMA Mobile Operator in Nigeria, currently present in 31 major cities, 22 States and covering 175 towns. Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, Zaria, Ibadan, Benin, Ijebu Ode, Shagamu, Calabar, Warri, Owerri, Oyo, Uyo, Ogbomosho, Abeokuta, Aba, Onitsha, Asaba, Maiduguri, Sapele, Umuahia, Nnewi, Awka, Rano, Ilorin, Katsina, Jos, Bauchi and Enugu are on the network. In 2007 Starcomms was named both Nigerian Telecoms Company of the Year (Nigeria Telecoms Awards) and Nigerian Wireless Telecoms Company of the Year (Nigeria Information Technology and Telecoms Awards).

About PT (www.pt.com)

PT (Nasdaq: PTIX) is a global supplier of advanced network communications solutions to carrier, government, and OEM markets. PT's portfolio includes IP-centric network elements and applications designed for high availability, scalability, and long life cycle deployments. The company's entire line of offerings is anchored by IPnexus®, PT's own IP-native, highly integrated platforms and element management systems. OEMs and application developers, including PT itself, leverage the robust carrier grade Linux® development environment and rich suite of communications protocols (PT's NexusWare®) of IPnexus Application-Ready Systems as a cornerstone component of their end product value proposition. PT's SEGway™ Signalling Solutions provide low cost, high density signalling, advanced routing, IP migration, gateway capabilities, SIP bridge, and core-to-edge distributed intelligence. The company's Xpress™ NGN applications enable evolving Mobile 2.0, Multi-media, and IMS based revenue generating services. PT is headquartered in Rochester, NY and maintains sales and engineering offices around the world.