Mahi Networks, an industry-leading supplier of multi-service metro transport and switching systems, and ANDA Networks, Inc., the leader in Ethernet access platforms, announced today that they have formed a Strategic Performance Alliance to help carriers easily and cost-effectively utilize their copper and fiber-based networks to deliver enterprise Ethernet services. The two companies have agreed to pursue interoperable solutions that allow SONET networks to seamlessly transport, manage, and deliver Ethernet services with service level agreements using a variety of standards-based formats.

The alliance will combine ANDA's leadership in Ethernet platforms for Access networks and Mahi's leadership in multi-service core aggregation solutions in order to simplify the data service strategies of carriers worldwide. The two companies team up to pursue a common vision to help communications service providers transition their existing voice-based networks to ones that deliver Ethernet services with few changes to network infrastructure or operations. Both companies' products, including the Mahi Networks Mi7(tm) and the ANDA Networks EtherTone(tm) platforms allow carriers to add Ethernet packet processing to traditional voice facilities without upgrading their entire networks.

"Mahi and ANDA offer a compelling solution that enables carriers to secure additional enhanced data revenues without having to first upgrade their entire infrastructure of SONET Add-Drop Multiplexers," said Alan DiCicco, senior manager of product marketing at Mahi Networks. "While other SONET suppliers are counseling the carriers to replace their ADMs with next generation MSPPs, Mahi and ANDA are providing a multi-vendor, end-to-end solution that packet-enables the existing SONET network and accelerates the delivery of Ethernet services."

Mahi and ANDA will demonstrate Ethernet over DS-3 at SUPERCOMM 2004 in Chicago, at Mahi's booth, #24442. ANDA's EtherEdge(tm) and EtherReach(tm) platforms are the carrier-owned, customer located equipment that encapsulates Ethernet traffic on DS-3 SONET ADM interfaces. The Mi7 aggregates hundreds of SONET rings and provides the industry's first integrated packet processing for thousands of VLAN-over-DS3 packet flows, eliminating the need for separate aggregation Ethernet switches.

"Through extensive studies and interactions with incumbent and competitive carriers, we have found that there is a substantial amount of unused DS-3 bandwidth in today's networks," commented Karl Brown, senior director of product marketing at ANDA Networks. "The Mahi-ANDA Ethernet-over-DS3 and Ethernet-over-SONET solutions are very cost-effective ways for carriers to roll out Ethernet services using SONET and other equipment already in place." 

The joint Mahi-ANDA solution is tested and ready for incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) that use SONET technology, as well as inter-exchange carriers (IXCs), competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), and even other ILECs that must go 'out of network' to lease DS-3 circuits to access enterprise customers. Using the Mahi Mi7's multi-vendor interoperable SONET aggregation capabilities, the joint solutions eliminate the need for carriers to upgrade their existing networks of add/drop multiplexers (ADMs) to support Ethernet and other advanced data services. Both companies plan to use their wide range of short-, intermediate-, and long-reach Ethernet and SONET interfaces to support the solution.

About ANDA Networks

Founded in 1998 with company headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, ANDA Networks provides carrier-class solutions for delivering cost-effective communication services across both fiber- and copper-based Access Networks worldwide.  ANDA's portfolio of solutions includes EtherTone(tm), a family of products that enables carriers to deliver Ethernet, VoIP, and Circuit-to-Packet services over existing copper and fiber infrastructure by leveraging highly economical Ethernet technology, and the Universal Access Platform(r) for carriers to provide legacy communication services while facilitating flexible, economical migration to next-generation networks.  For more information on ANDA Networks, visit http://www.andanetworks.com.

About Mahi Networks

Mahi Networks, Inc. develops and markets multi-service metro transport and switching platforms that enhance the business models of service providers worldwide. Mahi's Mi7 and Vx7 products, integrated intelligent control plane, advanced network management platforms, and easy to use network planning tools provide industry-leading packet and TDM integration with fully automated optical services. Mahi couples its innovative technology with flexible applications that enable service providers to efficiently manage the transition to a simpler, lower cost, and converged infrastructure, thereby enabling accelerated service fulfillment and significantly greater value creation for service providers stockholders. Mahi Networks, Mi7, Vx7 and the Mahi Networks logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mahi Networks, Inc. in the United States and\or other countries. For additional information please visit our website at www.mahinetworks.com.