Starent Networks Demonstrates IMS and WiMAX Solutions at Global MSF Interoperability (GMI) 2008

Starent Networks, Corp. (Nasdaq:STAR), a leading provider of infrastructure solutions that enable mobile operators to deliver multimedia services, today announced it has successfully participated in the MultiService Forum’s GMI 2008 interoperability tests, which were held October 20-31, 2008.

Demonstrating continued leadership in support of open and standards-based solutions, Starent Networks took part in testing on-site at the BT Ipswich Lab in the U.K. and at the Verizon Lab in Waltham, Massachusetts. This is the second GMI event in which Starent Networks was a key participant.

Starent Networks successfully participated in more than 120 test cases run across multiple global operator networks. For the event, Starent provided numerous access and IMS core products including its Session Control Manager (for Call Session Control Functionality), Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), Home Agent (HA), Access Service Network-Gateway (ASN), Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) products. At the Verizon testing site under the 3GPP2 Access Tile, Starent provided the central IMS core with its Session Control Manager and PDSN/HA functionality. At the BT Ipswich testing site, Starent provided its SGSN/GGSN for the 3GPP Access Tile as well as its ASN Gateway/HA/Session Control Manager solution for the WiMAX Access Tile.

The purpose of GMI 2008 was to provide an opportunity for vendors to show customers how their solutions operate, interoperate and meet the challenges faced everyday within the network. GMI 2008 offers operators the third-party validation that the products they buy meet the interoperability standards set forth by the global standards that are the basis for MSF Implementation Agreements.

From a technical perspective, GMI 2008 demonstrates multi-vendor interoperability for emerging next-generation architectures that deliver converged services across wireless and wireline access networks, from traditional voice services to emerging broadband technologies. Building on previous GMI Events in 2002, 2004 and 2006, GMI 2008 provides an opportunity for equipment vendors to validate key service concepts that leverage an IP Multimedia Subsystem/Next Generation Network (IMS/NGN) infrastructure.

“Starent Networks is committed to supporting open interfaces that allow mobile operators to select the best-of-breed solutions for their networks,” said Ashraf Dahod, CEO of Starent Networks. “We appreciate the MultiService Forum providing us the opportunity to work with other vendors in demonstrating interoperability of market ready broadband solutions.”

There were 22 GMI 2008 member participants, including Acme Packet, Alcatel-Lucent, Codenomicon, Empirix, Fujitsu, Huawei, Ixia, JDSU, Motorola, MuDynamics, NEC, Nokia-Siemens Networks, Nortel, OSI, Sonus, Spirent, Starent Networks, Tekelec, Tektronix, Telchemy, Teles and ZTE.

About GMI 2008

GMI 2008 – the Global MSF Interoperability event – will link major carrier, government, and academic labs on three continents in a major demonstration of multi-vendor interoperability between a significant number of NGN elements supporting Implementation Agreements developed in support of the MSF Release 4 Architecture and practical deployment scenarios of interest to major carriers.

About the MSF

The MultiService Forum (MSF) is a global association of service providers, system suppliers and test equipment vendors committed to developing and promoting open-architecture, multiservice Next Generation Networks. Founded in 1998, the MSF is an open-membership organization comprised of the world’s leading telecommunications companies. The MSF’s activities include developing Implementation Agreements, promoting worldwide compatibility and interoperability of network elements, and encouraging input to appropriate national and international standards bodies. http://www.msforum.org/

About Starent Networks

Starent Networks, Corp. is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions that enable mobile operators to deliver multimedia services to their subscribers. Starent Networks has created solutions that provide mobile operators with the functions and services needed for access, mobility management and call control in their networks. Through integrated intelligence and high performance capabilities, Starent Networks’ solutions also enhance subscriber management, billing and session policy enforcement. The company’s products are capable of supporting a wide range of mobile wireless networks, such as UMTS, CDMA2000, WiFi and WiMAX. Starent Networks’ products have been deployed by over 85 mobile operators in more than 35 countries. Additional information about Starent Networks is available at www.starentnetworks.com.

Starent Networks’ Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Starent Networks, including statements about expectations related to the company’s infrastructure solutions for mobile operators, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may contain the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the inability to predict the future success or market acceptance of Starent Networks’ multimedia core platform solutions, the highly competitive and rapidly evolving market in which Starent Networks’ competes, Starent Networks’ limited operating history, the fluctuation of its past operating results, its reliance on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of its revenues and its reliance on a single line of products and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Starent Networks’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Starent Networks’ views as of the date of this press release. Starent Networks anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Starent Networks may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Starent Networks’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Starent® and the Starent Networks logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Starent Networks, Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned in this release may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contacts

Starent Networks, Corp.
Andy Capener, 978-851-1177
acapener {at} starentnetworks(.)com
or
GMI 2008
Bruce Reid, +44 1672 591 292
breid {at} zonicgroup(.)com
or
Bock Communications, Inc.
Amy Farrell, 617-412-5175
starent {at} bockpr(.)com