Minacom Patent-Pending MTA Loopback VoIP Testing Technique Successfully Tested with Cedar Point SAFARI(TM) C3 Multimedia Switching System

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2006--Minacom:-- Cable MSOs can perform remote, non-intrusive, true voice-path testing directly to subscribers' MTAs from Minacom PowerProbes(R) while keeping the SAFARI C3 Multimedia Switching System synchronized with subscriber line-status

Minacom, the world leader in VoIP test systems for cable MSOs, announced today that its unique patent-pending technique to perform MTA loopback VoIP testing to subscriber MTAs has successfully been tested with Cedar Point Communications' SAFARI C3 Multimedia Switching System. Cedar Point Communications is the leader in integrated VoIP switching technologies for the cable industry.

Minacom's MTA Loopback testing allows cable operators to remotely measure service quality as perceived by subscribers by testing directly to their MTAs, without having to deploy a technician. Over 55 measurements are performed during the test, including MOS, echo, noise, latency, connectivity metrics, and DTMF (touch tone) transmission. When requested by a Minacom PowerProbe(R) 6000 service level test probe, the SAFARI C3 establishes a loopback connection over true PacketCable(TM) Dynamic Quality of Service (DQoS) voice channels to any DOCSIS(R) 2.0 compliant multimedia terminal adapter (MTA). Both NCS Network Continuity (analog/post-codec loopback) and real-time transport protocol (RTP pre-codec/NCS Network) loopback connections are supported, allowing operators to test media delivery and MTA codec performance independently.

Cedar Point's ability to interoperate with Minacom's VoIP loopback testing technology is an industry first, ensuring that subscriber MTA status is correctly maintained for the duration of the test. Other loopback techniques bypass the softswitch, leaving subscriber status out of sync with the switch's call management server (CMS) database. DOCSIS requirements for non-intrusive MTA loopback tests require that subscribers always have access to a dial tone, but do not specify a method to ensure softswitches are notified when a loopback test is in progress. Minacom's technique is the only loopback test method currently available that fully complies with DOCSIS requirements, independently confirmed by a US Tier-1 cable MSO planning to implement the solution after successfully completing acceptance testing using the SAFARI C3.

MTA loopback VoIP testing can significantly reduce the time required to identify, isolate and diagnose VoIP service issues. Minacom's DirectQuality(R) R7 test automation can also provide proactive, real-time monitoring to MTAs using silent test calls to detect service degradation before quality issues become subscriber-affecting. Operators using the Minacom test solution require fewer technician dispatches to troubleshoot common VoIP problems throughout their subscriber base, helping them to maintain best-in-class service quality and establish industry-leading customer retention. Testing can be performed from either the PSTN or PacketCable side of a media gateway to isolate impairments introduced by PSTN/VoIP conversion, which typically include echo, noise, distortion, and packet loss.

"Minacom and Cedar Point share the same vision and success in developing industry-leading solutions that simplify VoIP deployment and management in cable networks. Our products are based on flexible, solid engineering architectures that allow us to responsively develop new features for our customers," commented Michel Nadeau, President & CEO of Minacom. "MTA loopback testing complements Minacom's complete portfolio of QoS test solutions designed for cable MSOs, including triple-play testing to transponders and end-of-line probes, award winning day-of-install solutions, and end-to-end service quality monitoring from the subscriber and HFC to the PSTN."

About Minacom

Minacom builds Service Level Test Systems for Telcos and Cable MSOs, and Internet Telephony Service Providers. Minacom's automated test systems help maintain the integrity and quality of large-scale multi-service deployments, including Voice, VoIP, IPTV, Caller ID, Voicemail, Conferencing, Fax, Dial-Up Modem, Video Conferencing, and IP Services from Ping and DNS to Audio & Video RTP Streaming.

Minacom systems are web-controlled by a centralized server platform that integrates years of operational experience into test setups, test strategies and result analysis rules used by over 70 operators worldwide including at&t, Comcast, France Telecom, Liberty Global, Primus, Orange, Clearwire, VSNL and Bellsouth, as well as softswitch manufacturers such as Siemens, Cedar Point and Ericsson.

Tollgrade Communications and Trilithic are Minacom strategic Gold Partners, delivering highly integrated, industry-leading service quality test solutions featuring embedded Minacom technology.

Experience Minacom's QoS test automation live at www.minacom.com/try.

About Cedar Point Communications

Cedar Point Communications' totally integrated voice and multimedia switches provide cable system operators with cost-efficient, less complex voice-over-IP alternatives to distributed soft-switching cable telephony options. Cedar Point's SAFARI C3 Media Switching System is a PacketCable(TM)-qualified solution that supports legacy circuit and PacketCable(TM) voice services, as well as delivering core IMS capabilities today that support the anticipated migration to an IMS architecture for converged networks. The company is based in Derry, NH. For more information, please visit www.cedarpointcom.com.

Minacom, Simplifying Service Assurance, DirectQuality, DirectCare, DirectReach and PowerProbe are registered trademarks of Minacom. SAFARI C3 is a registered trademark of Cedar Point Communications. DOCSIS and PacketCable are trademarks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. All other trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective owners