Whaleback Systems, a managed services provider and a leader in IP-PBX innovations, and Narad Networks, Inc., a provider of high performance switched broadband access solutions, are announcing a joint marketing agreement and the availability of a managed VoIP service directed toward small and medium businesses (SMBs).

Combining Narad's low cost, high bandwidth switched Ethernet over coax solution with Whaleback's CrystalBlue Voice Service, MSOs can allow SMBs to take advantage of broadband VoIP while avoiding the capital investment of a Softswitch and increasing capacity when supplying multi-line voice to a number of businesses within a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) node. Testing demonstrates that the Narad fiber-fed Ethernet technology is able to provide many times the number of lines supported by DOCSIS, and the out of band technology avoids further clogging of residential bandwidth.

"Narad's NBAN architecture enhances the scalability and performance of prior HFC transports and is cost-effective," said Mark Galvin, co-founder, president and CEO of Whaleback Systems. "The Narad provisioning platform provides Whaleback and the MSO with visibility into network performance and availability, key functions for maintaining SLAs and meeting the real-time requirements of business telephony services."

"MSOs are looking to attack the business services market but struggle with the large upfront investment in infrastructure and service capabilities," said Michael Collette, CEO of Narad Networks. "By relying on an award-winning, full-featured, scalable, premises product and an experienced voice partner, this QoS-based solution will allow mid-tier and smaller operators to enter this space with minimum risk."

The CrystalBlue Voice Service is a managed service that frees SMBs from the expense, hassle and feature limitations of IP Centrex services or installing and managing their own IP PBX systems. SMBs can take advantage of the most modern telephony technologies and leverage VoIP technology over broadband cable connections to reduce bandwidth costs. For the first time, SMBs can take advantage of robust VoIP features designed specifically for their needs without the expense or headaches involved in managing telephony infrastructure. MSOs can offer targeted services to the SMB market and attract SMB customers by offering enhanced telephony services built from the ground up for broadband.

Narad's Ethernet-over-Coax solution provides up to 100 Mbps x 100 Mbps of additional bandwidth over each coaxial cable span. In combination with Narad Ethernet switches, these 100 Mbps symmetrical links can be switched onto the coax plant at multiple points to provide Gigabits of symmetric bandwidth per node. Narad's switched Ethernet-over-Fiber solution provides Gigabit fiber capacity while making optimally efficient use of existing fiber plant. Narad's Ethernet-based outdoor switches support fiber, coax and wireless transmissions.

About Whaleback Systems Whaleback Systems is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the pioneering developer of the first business phone solution built from the ground up for broadband. Unlike traditional systems, the Whaleback CrystalBlue Voice Service is 100 percent premises-based and software-driven. It includes the only IP PBX with Key System Unit features and Road Warrior Functionality. Whaleback's all-inclusive, unlimited nationwide calling package makes the most advanced technology immediately affordable for companies that need between 5 and 500 phone stations. The Whaleback service is available through partnerships with channel partners and VARs. For more information, visit www.WhalebackSystems.com. About Narad Networks Narad Networks is a provider of switched broadband access solutions that enable cable operators to leverage existing coaxial cable and flexibly use fiber and wireless media to deliver high capacity, high performance IP services, including voice, data, video, and enterprise networks. The company's QoS switches and service management software, along with its broad spectrum fiber and coax transmission technologies, support multi-gigabit transport for both commercial and residential customers. Narad's patented Ethernet-over-Coax solution meets the needs of coax-based users that have voice or data needs beyond that which cable modems can offer, while Narad's switched Ethernet-over-Fiber solution provides unprecedented IP capacity to fiber-based customers. Narad is currently deployed with North American and European cable operators.

Based in Westford, Massachusetts, Narad is a privately held company with venture funding from Argo Global Capital, Polaris Venture Partners and other leading venture capital firms. For more information, visit www.naradnetworks.com.