For Immediate Release
May 12 , 2006

17 Companies Recognized for Advancement and Excellence in the Industry

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), owner and producer of GLOBALCOMM™, today announced the nine winners and eight runners-up of the 2006 Awards of Excellence. The GLOBALCOMM™ Awards of Excellence honor the information and communications technology (ICT) industry’s preeminent organizations, recognizing the most promising new technologies and the delivery of the best new network services, strategic support and customer care.

Awards of Excellence winners will be honored during GLOBALCOMM™, the next-generation communications marketplace and summit, being held June 4-8, 2006, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. For TIA, GLOBALCOMM™ replaces SUPERCOMM® as TIA’s annual industry event.

“Our industry is dependent on current and future innovation as well as meeting and exceeding customer needs,” said TIA President Matt Flanigan. “We commend the 17 companies honored as GLOBALCOMM Awards of Excellence Winners and Runners-Up for their forward-looking vision as well as their leadership role in driving industry growth and development.”

2006 GLOBALCOMM™ AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS & RUNNERS-UP:

Excellence in Network Design and Services—for Service Providers and Enterprise Organizations whose design or service went into operation in calendar year 2005.

Excellence in Technology Innovation—for Suppliers and Vendors whose products/ technologies were announced no earlier than September 1, 2005 and will be available for sale no later than July 1, 2006.

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GLOBALCOMM™ 2006 will feature 495 exhibiting companies, 20,000 projected attendees, free keynote addresses and panels, paid conferences by the International Engineering Consortium, Light Reading/CMP Media, Telephony and other organizations, and co-location with OSP EXPO, the Outside Plant Exposition and Conference. GLOBALCOMM™ represents the premier business opportunity for the entire global communications and IT industry.

About TIA
TIA is the leading trade association for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. As owner and producer of GLOBALCOMM™, TIA represents global ICT suppliers and their service provider and enterprise customers through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit us at http://www.tiaonline.org.

About GLOBALCOMM™
GLOBALCOMM™ represents the premier business opportunity for the entire global communications and IT industry. With 495 exhibitors and 20,000 participants expected from more than 100 countries, GLOBALCOMM™ -- the Next-Generation Communications Marketplace and Summit – debuts June 4-8, 2006, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, USA. GLOBALCOMM™ is a trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). Visit http://www.globalcomm2006.com for more information.

SUPERCOMM® is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the United States Telecom Association (USTA). The final SUPERCOMM® was held in June 2005.

P.A. Release: GC06-17/05.12.0