July 20, 2010 10:00 ET

Cedar Point Communications Joins itaas istart Program

Solutions to Drive Deployment of EBIF Based Visual Communications Applications

DERRY, NH--(Marketwire - July 20, 2010) - Cedar Point Communications, a worldwide leader in integrated Voice over IP (VoIP) switching technologies for service providers, and itaas, a leading provider of end-to-end iTV solutions in the digital video industry, today announced that Cedar Point Communications has joined itaas' istart application developer program. Through membership in this program, itaas will support Cedar Point Communications to facilitate deployment of EBIF based visual communications applications.

As a member of the istart application developer program, Cedar Point Communications will gain access to SDKs and development support enabling them to work with system operators to deploy products, such as Cedar Point's SafariFusion Visual Communications Suite (VCS). Designed to provide subscribers with significantly increased visibility into inbound communication, SafariFusion VCS initially consists of a wide variety of applications such as Caller ID; Message Waiting Indicator with "Click-to-Call" to retrieve messages; Call Log with "Click to Call" and; User-definable configuration of communications features through the Communication Control Center such as blocking calls from defined callers.

The suite is compatible with EBIF, tru2way, IPTV and other standards, and can be delivered to any device, including set-top boxes, connected TVs, PCs, iPads, tablets and mobile devices.

"Marketplace adoption of EBIF and tru2way is being driven in part by the quantity and quality of applications that are available," said Jim Elayan, VP marketing and Business Development at itaas, Inc. "By supporting innovative companies like Cedar Point, we can help cable system operators to offer the broadest number of compelling services that differentiate their product bundles and build value for subscribers."

"Speed to market with quality products is essential to winning the hearts and minds of today's consumers," said Jeff Walker, vice president, marketing for Cedar Point Communications. "Our ability to leverage the combined technical strengths and customer relationships of itaas and Cedar Point will help us to make next-generation services available in the time frame that service providers require."

The SafariFusion family of products leverages the next generation of Web 2.0 tools and applications for rapid deployment of multimedia communications services. It also enables an operator to seamlessly migrate to a PC 2.0/IMS architecture while protecting investments already made in existing NCS and SIP endpoints.

Cedar Point's innovative approach to telephony services has driven the deployment of more than six and a half million voice lines for customers in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. Through its flagship products -- the SafariFusion Application Platform and the SAFARI C³ Multimedia Switching System -- the company supports residential and business services by a diverse customer base that includes Cable System Operators, CLECs, Wireless Operators and Universities.

itaas' portfolio of services includes a full range of software design, development, integration and support services for MSOs, Programmers, Application Developers and Technology Providers. In addition, itaas supports the development and deployment of interactive applications and services through the istart application developer program. This program offers SDKs and support for Time Warner Cable's MDN, ODN and MAS software, Cisco's SARA/PowerTV and OCAP Axiom, FourthWall Media's EBIF user agent and the TVWorks ETV platform. itaas also recently announced the ability to make enhancements to the SARA guide platform and to test DTA devices in anticipation of deployment.

About itaas, Inc.
itaas plays a unique, multi-faceted role in developing and delivering interactive television. The company reaches across the entire iTV ecosystem to ensure that customers are able to develop and deploy applications, including ETV, tru2way, and IP solutions across multimedia devices. itaas provides software development, integration and testing services to the content and application provider across the broadband network and all the way to the set-top box or consumer device.

For over 10 years, itaas has worked with all iTV constituents; service providers, technology suppliers, application developers and programmers to create and bring iTV solutions to market. This includes ETV platform licensing, SARA guide enhancements and support, and next generation/IP technologies. With advanced digital development expertise, tools, lab facilities and deployment support across a broad range of cable TV and IPTV platforms, itaas has developed many of today's most recognized white label interactive applications. With more than 100 customers worldwide, itaas is headquartered in the U.S. and has international facilities in Canada and India. For more information visit www.itaas.com.

About Cedar Point Communications
Cedar Point Communications' integrated switching platform enables the scalable, simplified and cost-effective delivery of VoIP and multimedia communication services for service providers and network operators. Designed to provide superior performance and reliability, while increasing network integrity, security and privacy, Cedar Point's products support a full range of carrier-class telecommunications, including legacy circuit, NCS, SIP-based and PC 2.0/IMS voice services. The company is based in Derry, NH with its European headquarters in Meersburg, Germany. For more information, please visit www.cedarpointcom.com.