MATISSE NETWORKS APPOINTS ROSS IRELAND TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Veteran Telecom Executive Joins Packet Optical Transport Company Board

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., December 10, 2007—Matisse Networks today announced the appointment of Mr. Ross K. Ireland to its board of directors. The addition of Ross Ireland, a telecommunications industry icon, underscores the global opportunity for Matisse Networks’ EtherBurst optical switch, which saves customers 50% of both capital and operational expenses when compared with legacy circuit-based optical systems.

Mr. Ireland served as Senior Executive Vice President of Services and Chief Technology Officer for SBC Communications (now AT&T). In this capacity, he was responsible for Network Planning and Engineering, SBC Laboratories, Procurement, Real Estate, the Network Staff Groups and IT. In addition, six of the company’s National Businesses also reported to Mr. Ireland, including SBC Long Distance, SBC Paging, SBC Operator Services, SBC Public Communications, SBC Video Services, and SBC Messaging. He retired from SBC in May of 2004 after 38 years of service. Mr. Ireland was also the Chairman of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, which oversees the T1 U.S. Telecommunications Standards Group. Mr. Ireland studied engineering at City College of San Francisco and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program.

“I’ve seen many changes and innovations in my career and today’s move towards an all-packet optical transport network delivering services like business Ethernet and IPTV is huge,” said Mr. Ireland. “Matisse’s EtherBurst Packet Optical Transport solution provides a very compelling means of offering customers the benefits of moving to an all-packet optical network without requiring a rip and replace upgrade. This legacy optical coexistence allows customers to move at their own pace and retain the investment made in SONET equipment.”

“I worked with Ross at Pacific Bell and I have tremendous respect for his knowledge and expertise in engineering world-class carrier networks,” said Sam Mathan, Chairman and CEO of Matisse Networks. “We look forward to his guidance.”

About Matisse Networks
Matisse Networks is named after Henri Matisse, the famous painter known as the “Master of Color”. Like the painter, Matisse Networks is mastering the colors of light to pioneer the field of optical burst technology. Matisse Networks’ EtherBurst optical switch is the first packet optical transport system with optical burst technology. EtherBurst is purpose-built for carrier and enterprise metro Ethernet optical transport networks, saving 50% of capital and operational expenses compared with legacy optical circuit systems. EtherBurst maximizes utilization of optical bandwidth and increases packet service flexibility at the lowest total cost of ownership.
Matisse Networks, EtherBurst, and MeshWave are trademarks of Matisse Networks, Inc.