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Consolidated Communications Selects Turin Networks for High Capacity IP Video Transport Network

Nation's 15th Largest Local Telephone Company Deploys Turin's Traverse(TM) 2000 Platform for Gigabit Ethernet-Based IP-TV Backbone Infrastructure

Turin Networks, a leading developer and supplier of multiservice transport switching platforms for telecommunications carriers worldwide, today announced that Consolidated Communications, the 15th largest local telephone company in the US, selected Turin's Traverse(TM) 2000 to build out a regional Gigabit Ethernet transport network to support the company's IP-TV deployment. Consolidated is currently delivering the triple play bundle of voice, data, and IP-TV video services to its customers in selected markets in central Illinois.

"We considered a variety of platforms for increasing our transport capacity in order to support the triple play, and ultimately chose Turin's Traverse 2000 platform for its scalability, comparatively low cost, and support for converged Ethernet and next-generation SONET functionality," said Tom White, Vice President of Engineering for Consolidated Communications. "Turin provided a carrier-class solution that supported our existing services, while enabling us to provide next-generation video and beyond."

Turin's Traverse Multiservice Transport Switch is ideally suited for transporting IP Video. In addition to supporting multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports for interfacing with IP Video Headend equipment as well new generation IP-based DSLAMs and FTTH systems, the Traverse integrates full layer 2 Ethernet switching. Powerful Virtual LAN and traffic management features enable the Traverse to support multicast and unicast applications, in addition to standard broadcast services.

The Traverse platform's unified support for Ethernet and next-generation SONET allows carriers like Consolidated Communications to upgrade their inter-office ring networks to deliver IP-TV services with ultra-low latency and jitter -- an essential requirement for video -- and optimal bandwidth efficiency.

"Consolidated Communications, like our many other innovative customers deploying the triple play today, realizes the many advantages of a converged, packet-optimized architecture," said Richard Stanfield, Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Turin Networks. "In addition to enabling a cost-effective, incremental evolution from TDM to IP-based services, the Traverse also affords the carrier-class resiliency and 10G scalability features of next-generation SONET."

About Consolidated Communications

Founded in 1894, Consolidated Communications is a family of companies offering advanced voice and data communications to both business and residential customers. Services include high-speed DSL Internet access, local and long distance systems, directory services, carrier services, Web hosting, retail and wholesale operator services, public services and full-integrated telemarketing and fulfillment services. Serving markets in Illinois and Texas, Consolidated Communications operates one of the largest independent telephone companies in the nation. Additional information about Consolidated Communications, Inc., and its products and services is available at www.consolidated.com.

About Turin Networks

Turin Networks Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of multiservice optical transport products for telecommunications carriers worldwide. The company's flagship Traverse(TM) Multiservice Transport Switch unifies Ethernet switching and SONET/SDH transport capabilities, enabling diverse domestic and international service providers to bridge the divide between current generation and next-generation optical networks. In addition to increasing transport efficiency and capacity, Turin's solutions enable seamless migration to advanced access services like Ethernet and the video-voice-data "triple play," as well as to a multiservice IP/MPLS-based core. For more information, visit or call 707.665.4400.

Turin Networks, the Turin Networks logo, Traverse, Traverse 2000, Traverse 1600, Traverse 600, TraverseEdge, TransAccess, and TransNav are trademarks of Turin Networks, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

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