In the fall of 2004, Fail Engineering assisted Noxapater Telephone Company, located in Noxapater, Mississippi, with the selection and implementation of a Tekelec ix7000 Softswitch into their existing Stromberg Carlson DCO network. The goal of the project was to provide a Softswitch “Cap and Grow” solution to more efficiently satisfy their need to expand services and reduce cost. The Tekelec ix7000 was installed in combination with a Telstrat NGDLC and is now being used to deploy broadband services to new remote subscribers. Fail Engineering provided overall project management, including the following tasks:

· Performing an analysis of the existing network
· Preparing trunking diagrams
· Determining the detailed requirements of the system
· Preparing specifications for the desired system
· Performing due diligence, conducting meetings and requesting quotes from qualified   vendors
· Reviewing proposals and selecting a vendor
· Assisting with contract negotiations
· Coordination of customer training
· Supervision of the installation
· Preparation of a MOP and supervision of the necessary SS7 migration
· Conducting weekly status and planning conference calls with the vendor and Noxapater
· Working with the vendor and customer to resolve any issues related to the integration of   the Tekelec ix7000 into the legacy Stromberg Carlson DCO network