Here's some distribution news about Acme Packet and their highly recognized Net-Net SBC solution. I've been a fan of Acme Packet's solutions and approach for a while now. Iskratel is certainly an acknowledged leader in a part of the world I have pretty limited exposure. Looks like good news for both companies.

Iskratel enters distribution partnership with Acme Packet

Kranj, 5 December 2007 –Iskratel today announced that it has entered into a distribution partnership with the American company Acme Packet, the leading provider of session border controllers (SBCs) and integrates the industry-leading Acme Packet Net-Net® SBCs into Iskratel’s next-generation service provider and enterprise SI3000 solutions for IP interactive communications. The solution based on the product portfolio of Iskratel and Acme Packet provides trusted, first class interactive voice, video and multimedia communications over Internet protocol (IP) networks.

This new partnership gives Iskratel access to top-quality telecommunications equipment and allows it to provide interoperable and feature-rich NGN solutions to its customers and partners The decision to join with the Acme Packet grew from the need for innovative solutions from partner companies to complement Iskratel’s SI3000 present product lines. Iskratel is now in a position to meet the growing demands of enterprise customers and service providers providing residential or business communication solutions.

Iskratel has already begun the intensive marketing of Acme Packet products within the framework of its own solutions. The first business deals have already been closed in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Macedonia and Slovenia including with operators Telekom Slovenije, Mobitel and On.Net.

“In the telecommunications industry, the pooling of companies by entering into partnerships is becoming more and more important. It assures the continuity of successful business operations and provides a satisfactory answer to the growing demands of our customers. In future, the SBC will most certainly be one of the most important components of Iskratel’s SI3000 integral solutions in NGNs. Acme Packet’s excellent product ensures security and control in VoIP networks as well as top-quality services for our customers,” says Franc Dolenc, Director of Products and Solutions at Iskratel.

Acme Packet Net-Net SBCs combine purpose-built hardware with high-quality session border control features that together deliver carrier-class scalability, performance and reliability. Supporting multiple protocols and multiple applications, the Net-Net SBCs provide critical control functions at both access and interconnect borders to satisfy new requirements in the five major areas of security, service reach maximization, SLA assurance, revenue and cost optimization and regulatory compliance. Acme Packet’s Net-SAFE® security features, including DoS/DDoS protection, dynamic access control, call rate limiting and topology hiding, help ensure that IP networks are secure and available to provide IP interactive communication services.

“With a mutual understanding of the market and a commitment to support our customers, Acme Packet and Iskratel are delivering solutions so service providers and enterprises can build high quality and secure next generation networks,” stated Mark Vella, Acme Packet’s vice president of business development. “Iskratel is a leading supplier and integrator of softswitches and next generation voice networks and we look to build upon the successful partnership that has already resulted in key customer deployments.”

About Iskratel
Iskratel develops integrated telecommunications solutions for the future information society. With its 60 years of experience in telecommunications, Iskratel is one of the leading global hi-tech companies. It provides integrated telecommunications solutions for wireline and mobile telephony, NGNs and telephone networks management systems. The combination of experience and intellectual capital in connection with creativity and innovation results in Iskratel's successful development of telecommunications networks, NGNs and in the introduction of advanced products, applications and solutions based on the coming IMS/Tispan technology. The company has over 1100 employees, more than 300 of which are deployed in subsidiaries in 20 countries. The presence of Iskratel employees abroad ensures full compatibility of Iskratel’s network solutions with local requirements and partners' wishes. www.iskratel.com

About Acme Packet
Acme Packet, the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first class interactive communications—voice, video and multimedia sessions—across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers supports multiple applications in service provider, large enterprise and contact center networks—from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols—SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS and H.248—and multiple border points—interconnect, access and data center. Our products have been selected by over 465 customers in 85 countries, including 24 of the top 25, and 79 of the top 100 service providers in the world. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit www.acmepacket.com.