BandTel, Pingtel and Ingate Join Forces to Offer The Total VoIP Solution to Deploy SIP Trunks

The Bundled SIP Solution Provides VARs and Enterprise Users With a Pre-Configured and Interoperable SIP Trunking Solution that Offers Faster, Easier and More Reliable Deployment

San Diego, Calif. – Internet Telephony Conference & Expo (Room 6E) – October 10, 2006 – BandTel™, a leading worldwide provider of SIP Trunking services today announced it has teamed with Pingtel, a leader in open source SIP-based IP PBX solutions and Ingate® Systems, which develops firewall technology and products that enable SIP-based live communication for the enterprise while maintaining control and security at the network edge. The companies have pooled resources and expertise to develop a bundled, plug-and-play, pre-configured solution designed to deliver seamless installation of SIP trunks and the security, redundancy, interoperability, and scalability demanded in mission critical environments.

The award-winning combination includes BandTel’s Virtual Central Office (VCO) SIP-based trunking for domestic and International calling service and Pingtel’s SIPxchange ECS 250 SIP-based IP PBX, a feature-rich, enterprise grade, "out-of-the box" solution that fulfills even demanding enterprise needs for VoIP communications. The bundle also includes the Ingate SIParator® 45, a device that connects to an existing network firewall to enable SIP communications, with 25 SIP traversal licenses for 25 concurrent calls and the Ingate Remote SIP Connectivity software module. The end result is an all-in-one solution for VARs and enterprises to achieve faster, easier deployment of SIP trunks with a higher quality of service.

"As IP Telephony gains momentum in the enterprise market, it is essential for solution providers to be able to offer a solution that removes the complexities of VoIP deployment, such as security, reliability and interoperability – especially in legacy environments," stated Bryan Renner, Director of Business Development at BandTel. "By combining our fail-safe SIP Trunking architecture with Pingtel’s robust open source PBX solution and Ingate’s NAT traversal and remote connectivity solution, we are providing a best-of-breed, turn-key solution at a very low price and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), but with a very fast return on investment."

BandTel’s award-winning VCO includes its N-Plus™ architecture and is designed to solve the throughput and redundancy problems on high capacity SIP-based networks. BandTel’s enhanced calling services offer affordable, feature-rich VoIP calling and allow users to leverage the cost savings and features associated with next-generation IP voice transport and protect all current investments in legacy PBX infrastructure.

The award-winning Ingate SIParator solves the common NAT traversal issues with SIP communications and handles the routing of SIP signaling and media streams to and from the private IP addresses of authorized users on the LAN. As with all Ingate SIParators and Ingate Firewall® products, the SIParator boasts a SIP registrar and full SIP proxy, support for NAT, PAT and TLS support for encrypted SIP signaling. The Ingate SIP Trunking module may be added to any of Ingate’s products to provide the tools necessary to connect the SIP Trunking provider with the IP-PBX. The SIParator also supports SRTP, which provides a very high level of security for VoIP applications. Ingate Remote SIP Connectivity software module is a far-end NAT traversal solution that enables far-flung users to leverage the benefits of SIP-based communications already integrated into the company’s network.

"SIP trunking provides a very high ROI for enterprises very quickly," said Steven Johnson, President, Ingate Systems. "his bundle simplifies the process of deploying SIP trunks, with a single solution with proven interoperability at low risk."

Pingtel’s SIPxchange ECS (Enterprise Communications Server) – the PBX for Linux – is a full featured, easy to install and use, enterprise-class SIP software-based IP PBX solution that does not require special hardware. It is the only solution based wholly on the SIP standard and is fully interoperable with SIP phones, gateways, and trunking services. The SIPxchange ECS offers complete plug-and-play device management, optional fully redundant (high availability) configuration, and includes integrated voice mail, ACD, multiple auto attendants and a web-based system configuration and management tool. It operates on popular Red Hat Linux servers, and with any SIP-based PSTN/IP gateways and end points. Pingtel’s SIPxchange ECS solutions seamlessly integrate with legacy TDM and IP networks and meet requirements for TDM PBX replacement, improving the user experience."

"We have always understood the need for an IP Telephony system that offers the features, reliability, and flexibility commonly found in high-cost solutions, yet at a cost that fits any IT budget," stated Martin Steinmann, SVP of Marketing at Pingtel. "By working with Ingate and BandTel, we are delivering a cost-effective solution that incorporates the best voice quality, high availability, seamless integration and interoperability into an existing IT environment, and lowest TCO the industry has to offer."

About Bandtel

BandTel is a leading worldwide provider of SIP Trunking services. The company is dedicated to ensuring its customers and partners alike have access to the most reliable, end-to-end VoIP service available on the market today. Its N-Plus™ architecture is designed to solve the throughput and redundancy problems on high capacity SIP based networks and eliminates any single point of failure. BandTel continues to develop strong partnerships with leading carriers and telecommunications companies such as: Global Crossing, XO Communications, Level 3, Qwest Communications and Verizon Business. BandTel is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

About Ingate® Systems

Ingate® Systems develops firewall technology and products that enable SIP-based live communication for the enterprise while maintaining control and security at the network edge. Ingate has a long history of developing next-generation firewall technology that solves the NAT/firewall traversal issue inherent in SIP communications. In addition to an extensive line of Ingate Firewalls®, the company also produces the award-winning Ingate SIParator®, a device that connects to an existing network firewall to seamlessly enable SIP communications. Ingate products currently protect the networks of retail companies, financial institutions, industrial firms, government agencies and small-to-large enterprises throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Ingate Systems AB is headquartered in Sweden with offices in Stockholm and Linköping. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ingate Systems Inc., is located in Hollis, New Hampshire, with a U.S. technology center in Frisco, Texas. For more information on Ingate Systems, visit www.ingate.com.

About Pingtel Corporation

Pingtel is reshaping the communications market by delivering the only 100% SIP-based and easiest to use enterprise class communications platforms that support the features and functionality required by today’s and future business market. Pingtel combines the best attributes of open source development – low cost, adaptability and flexibility – with the reliable solutions and support enterprises require for voice applications. For more information, visit www.pingtel.com and sipx-wiki.calivia.com.

BandTel, N-Plus and Silent Running area registered trademarks of BandTel, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts

Kelly Reeves for BandTel
KLR Communications, Inc.
Tel: 949-509-1888
Email: kelly@klrpr.com

Hillary Call
Ingate Systems
(917) 414-9262
SIP and email: hillary@ingate.com

Martin Steinmann
Pingtel Corp.
Tel: 908-416-5663
Email: martin@pingtel.com