Dittberner'S NEW STUDY REVEALS CARRIERS' NGN SPENDING PLANS

Despite Some Doubts, Levels of Interest in NGN Equipment Deployment
Remains High Among Carriers

Bethesda, MD - September 13, 2002 - A new study from Dittberner Associates, Inc., "NGN Deployment Plans by Major US and European Network Operators", reveals the results of first-hand interviews with more than 35 executives from the largest ILECs and CLECs in the US and Europe.
This study presents NGN spending plans for each carrier, both in terms of dollar amount and timeframe. The report also discusses the current status of NGN deployment and services offered, as well as major drivers toward NGN equipment deployment. Specifically focused on the challenges and opportunities for NGN adoption, the study identified integration of NGN solution with legacy OSS systems as one of the main barriers.

The results of the extensive interviews are analyzed and presented in both quantitative and qualitative methods. The table below, extracted from the report, reveals deployment timeframe for new services - whether these services will be introduced within the next six months, a year, two years, or not planned.

Source: Dittberner Associates, Inc.

About the Study:
The study results are based on in-depth interviews with executives from 21 major carriers in US and Europe. Thirty-five percent of interviewed executives are primary decision makers (CTOs and VPs of Network Planning) and 65% have major influence (Director level) within their organization in making purchasing decisions for NGN solutions.

This study is crucial for next generation telecom equipment vendors to have a good understanding of service provider's main requirements, deployment plans and overall strategy guidelines for TDM switch replacement and/or NGN technology implementation. It provides a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the short-term (2002-2003) deployment plans for NGN and an analysis of major applications, service enhancements, and new services being introduced as the result of NGN equipment deployment.
In addition, the study provides information on the following issues:

• Provides insights as to why these carriers are not deploying NGN solutions. What are the main barriers to NGN adoption
• When these carriers are planning to stop investing in legacy TDM switched network solutions
• How much are they planning to spend on NGN solutions (2002-2003)
• Timing when they are planning to widely deploy IP-based NGNs
• Carriers' architectural preferences regarding NGN solutions deployment
• Most attractive services they are planning to deploy
• Who is the preferable main supplier for NGN solutions and why, including what criteria is being used or currently evaluated to buy NGN solutions.
• Are they willing to consider choosing multiple vendor solutions
• Major value drivers and expected benefits from deploying NGN solutions
• Information on whether these service providers offer TDM or packet-based voice and/or data services now or by January 2003 and what percentage
• Provides information on main equipment suppliers these carriers use to offer NGN services and/or to transport voice traffic now and by January 2003

Members of the press may receive an Executive Summary of the report by contacting Lisa Hand via email at hand@dittberner.com

Dittberner Associates, Inc. 4641 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

Telephone: +1 (888) 652-8382 Fax: +1 (301) 657-8084 E-mail: sales@dittberner.com