Empresas y finanzas

NexTone & Reef Point Join Forces to Deliver Comprehensive, Solutions for Fixed and Mobile Operators as NextPoint



    In a move that creates the world´s first fully integrated
    fixed-mobile connectivity platform, NexTone Communications, Inc., the
    leading software-centric session border controller and session
    management provider and Reef Point Systems, Inc., the leading mobile
    access universal convergence gateway provider, today announced they
    will merge to form NextPoint Networks, Inc.. The combined company will
    bring mobile and fixed-network operators around the world the ability
    to quickly, securely and profitably deliver voice, data and video
    services over all-IP networks.

    The new company´s growth will be supported by a $20 million round
    of funding led by One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JP
    Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), and joined by American Capital (Nasdaq:
    ACAS), Core Capital Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners, Safeguard
    Scientifics (NYSE: SFE), and Summerhill Venture Partners. "As the
    first company in the world to offer a complete range of intelligent,
    secure and high-scale fixed and mobile IP connectivity solutions,
    NextPoint(TM) unlocks enormous value for operators, service providers
    and large enterprises around the world," said David Walsh, Chairman of
    NextPoint. "With the proven leadership of our CEO, Woody Ritchey, the
    talented and experienced teams from both companies, and technology
    that is unmatched in the marketplace, we look forward to an exciting
    period of accelerated growth."

    Building on the strength of NexTone´s established global footprint
    as a leading provider of software-centric session border controller
    and session management technologies, and incorporating Reef Point´s
    unparalleled mobile access capabilities, NextPoint, working with its
    established and growing partner base, will continue to serve fixed,
    mobile and FMC operators around the world. The companies currently
    support a growing footprint of over 550 wholesale carriers and service
    providers, as well as a number of large, global enterprises.

    As part of the merger, Woody Ritchey was named Chief Executive
    Officer of NextPoint. For the last eighteen months, Mr. Ritchey has
    led Reef Point into successful trials and deployments with tier-one
    mobile operators around the world.

    "This is a very exciting day for the customers, partners and
    employees of this new organization, which combines the strengths and
    accomplishments of NexTone and Reef Point," said Mr. Ritchey. "With
    the introduction of our Integrated Border Gateway (IBG) earlier this
    year, which brings NexTone´s intelligent session border control
    product together with Reef Point´s high-scale, multi-protocol Security
    Gateway, we are proud to bring significant efficiencies to the
    architects and operators of fixed, mobile and converged networks as
    one, global company."

    "Through this combination, NextPoint brings together fixed and
    mobile networks securely and intelligently, with interoperability and
    integration considerations built in," said Tom Jasny, Vice President
    of Wireless Systems and Broadband for Samsung Telecommunications
    America. "Working with the team at NextPoint, we will be able to bring
    an even broader set of partnered capabilities to operators and service
    providers who look to Samsung for leading edge FMC network solutions."

    "The integration of session border controllers for both fixed and
    mobile networks with a security gateway enabled by the merger of Reef
    Point and NexTone will create a powerful product family for next
    generation networks," said Malcolm Wardlaw, Director, Converged
    Services, Intelligence and Applications, BT. "The IBG has the
    potential to simplify network design as well as reduce the total cost
    of ownership in a converged world, supporting the needs of our
    customers in an all-IP world."

    "The increasing demand for secured IP-based mobility services in a
    multi-access environment is creating a need for a new category of
    equipment called the multi-access convergence gateways that provides
    intelligent interaction with subscribers, services, and transport
    mechanisms," said Stephane Teral, Principal Analyst, Service Provider
    VoIP, IMS & FMC, Infonetics Research. "This new network element
    collapses session border controller and security gateways along with
    other existing packet-based products for mobile networks into one
    single platform that optimizes any type of FMC architecture. The
    combination of NexTone and Reef Point into a single company is good
    news for the industry and an example of this fundamental shift toward
    multi-access convergence gateways."

    NextPoint Product Suite Accelerates Delivery of New Voice, Data
    and Video Services over All-IP Networks

    NextPoint´s unique intelligent-edge solutions alleviate the
    complexity and cost of deploying secure fixed and mobile network
    connectivity, and accelerate the rapid delivery of new services to
    subscribers. Helping operators remain competitive and profitable into
    the future, NextPoint´s solutions will:

    -- Unlock the value of mobile IP, including mobile VoIP

    -- Deliver content and services subscribers want, over the
    broadest range of networks

    -- Maximize subscriber reach

    -- Enable maximum revenues

    -- Ensure highest levels of security -- QoS -- at lowest CAPEX
    and OPEX

    -- Protect core networks

    -- Expand transport network options

    NextPoint products will include:

    -- Integrated Border Controller

    -- Session Border Controller

    -- Multiprotocol Session Exchange

    -- Real-time Session Manager

    -- Femtocell Gateway

    -- Wireless Gateway

    About NextPoint

    NextPoint Networks (www.nextpointnetworks.com) is being formed by
    the merger of NexTone and Reef Point, to deliver global, fixed-mobile
    convergence (FMC) border platforms and secure interconnectivity
    solutions. NextPoint´s technology platform, products and solution
    suites will enable mobile and fixed line operators to deliver secure
    voice, data and multimedia over a scalable platform, interoperating
    with both fixed-line and mobile network technologies and operating
    systems. 550 service providers and enterprises worldwide will use
    NextPoint´s IntelliConnect system to manage technical complexities,
    optimize business economics, and remove partnership hurdles. NexTone
    (www.nextone.com) and Reef Point (www.reefpoint.com) signed definitive
    agreements December 2, 2007, and the transaction is expected to close
    in early January, so the companies can enter 2008 as one company.

    About One Equity Partners

    One Equity Partners ("OEP") makes private equity investments
    behind compelling business ideas and strong management teams.
    Established in 2001, OEP manages $5 billion of investments and
    commitments for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in direct private equity
    transactions. OEP´s investment professionals are located across North
    America and Europe, with offices in New York, Chicago and Frankfurt.

    For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com.