STOCKHOLM, August 18 /PRNewswire/ --

- Batelco has Awarded a Mediation Contract to Ascade, and Successfully
Implemented Their Cutting Edge Solution, Carrier Cockpit(TM) Real Time
Mediation

Ascade; a leading OSS/BSS provider for the Interconnect Market, today
announced that Batelco; the Bahrain based world-class full service provider,
has awarded a mediation contract to Ascade, and successfully implemented
Ascade's next generation mediation platform, Real Time Mediation.

Batelco made a thorough evaluation of the existing systems and
implementation project options in the market and found Real Time Mediation to
be the most flexible solution to handle Batelco's expanding and advanced
service portfolio.

Important factors in Batelco's decision process were to identify a
mediation platform that provides true capabilities to manage any type of
communication networks and services with full flexibility. Another key
component was to identify the right implementation partner that could meet
the tight project schedule without compromising Batelco's high quality
demands. Moreover, with Real Time Mediation from Ascade, Batelco found a
solution that provides a high degree of self-sufficiency and a low cost of
ownership over years to come.

"We are proud to be working with one of the leading service providers in
the Middle East. Over the past two years Ascade has experienced a strong
growth in the region and advanced implementation projects like at Batelco
help us to gradually build up our resources in the Middle East" says Paul
Ekberg, Regional Director, Ascade Middle East.

"The implementation project started in November 2007 and was successfully
delivered by May 2008; on time and on budget - Ascade has proven to be the
efficient product and implementation partner that we were looking for" says,
Ebrahim Zainal, Networks & Technology General Manager at Batelco.

About Batelco

Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) is the leading integrated
communications' provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain and a significant force
among the regions key telecommunications players.

Batelco serves both the corporate and consumer markets in the most
liberalised and competitive environment in the Middle East, and remains
committed to delivering cutting-edge telecommunications to its customers in
Bahrain and the MENA region. The Company ' s management and staff are driven
by an enthusiasm for delivering the best customer experience based on
innovation, affordability and reliability of products and services.

Batelco offers complete, end-to-end telecommunications solutions for its
residential, business and government customers. The comprehensive solutions
portfolio covers mobile services, international roaming, Broadband Internet,
satellite services, WiFi, and MPLS IP-VPN based network services utilising
our Next Generation all IP Network providing Datacoms services over fixed and
wireless platforms in addition to managed services including systems
integration and management.

With an ongoing strategy to grow overseas, the Batelco Group incorporates
joint venture operations in Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

For more information please visit: http://www.batelco.com

About Ascade AB

Ascade is the global market-leader of Interconnect Solutions for Carriers
and Mobile Operators. Our software, Carrier Cockpit(TM) Suite, enables
customers worldwide to increase profitability and revenue growth. It
optimizes and automates all aspects of the Interconnect Business including
route quality testing and integrated interconnect billing, while providing
management with real-time business planning and steering capabilities.

Carrier Cockpit(TM) Suite is the most advanced, mature and widely used
Interconnect Solution for managing the wholesale business worldwide.
Customers include Etisalat, M1, Reach, Qtel, Telenor Global Services,
SingTel, Telekom Malaysia, Reach, Allstream, Elisa, Gateway, TEO, Rostelecom,
PT Telkom, Korea Telecom, Hrvatski Telekom, Telekom Serbia, Lattelecom, Bell
Canada, Sunrise, Telekom Austria, MobileOne, VSNL, TeliaSonera IC and more.

Ascade AB is a privately held company owned by founders and leading
Nordic investment firms CapMan, listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, and
SEB Venture Capital, the venture capital division of Nordic financial
services group SEB, listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Through its
presence in Sweden, US, Dubai, and Singapore, Ascade provides support to its
customers worldwide.

For more information please visit: http://www.ascade.com

Contact:
    Patrik Ferlenius,
    Ascade AB
    Email: patrik.ferlenius@ascade.com

    Ascade AB
    Söder MÀlarstrand 29
    P.O. Box 38176
    SE-100 64 Stockholm,
    Sweden
    Tel: +46-8-616-73-00
    Fax: +46-8-545-90-427
    http://www.ascade.com