NetCracker Technology announced today that Midcontinent Communications has signed a long-term contract extension for NetCracker’s convergent, next-generation BSS solutions, enabling a seamless transition to the next-generation of services oriented architecture (SOA) and creating a foundation for business agility.

Midcontinent Communications is a leading provider of data, video, phone, and cable services for residential and business customers in communities located throughout the Upper Midwest.

Midcontinent will continue utilizing NetCracker’s BSS solutions for its billing and customer care and will also be implementing NetCracker’s secure SOA, including web services, for a standardized approach to customer and service management. The addition of these enhanced web services will give Midcontinent easier access to billing and customer data through interfaces with external applications, such as web portals, IVRs, and mobile devices. As a result, Midcontinent will be able to quickly and securely integrate and invoke the billing system for new applications and thereby reduce costs and enhance the customer experience.

“As we continuously seek new and innovative ways of providing the best possible service experience to our customers, we have come to rely on the functionality and flexibility inherent in NetCracker’s solutions,” said Midcontinent’s Gary Shawd, Vice President of Information Systems. “The adoption of NetCracker’s SOA and web services to our BSS solution will enable us to deliver a superior experience to our customers in the near term and — as an important addition to Midcontinent’s infrastructure — these services will also enable us to address customer needs and business challenges as we grow and expand in the future.”

“Our ongoing relationship with Midcontinent underscores NetCracker’s commitment to being much more than just a software vendor,” said Bob Titus, NetCracker’s Vice President Global Converged Solutions. “We are not only providing Midcontinent with the technology and expertise that will help them achieve their immediate goals, but are also drawing on our extensive experience to deploy solutions that will be part of their foundation for continued growth and success.”

The Midcontinent–NetCracker relationship represents almost a decade and a half of close cooperation and knowledge sharing. This long-term contract extension will build on the value that the dedicated teams from both organizations have delivered over the last 14 years.

About NetCracker Technology

NetCracker Technology, a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is the leader in enabling communications providers and other verticals to maximize revenue and profits through innovative, end-to-end BSS/OSS solutions. NetCracker supports the rapid monetization of new infrastructure, adoption of new business models, creation of value-added content, and delivery of unique customer experience. For additional information, please visit www.NetCracker.com.

NetCracker is a registered trademark of NetCracker Technology Corp. All other company or product names mentioned in this press release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of a diversified global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide. For additional information, please visit the NEC website at: http://www.nec.com.

About Midcontinent Communications

Midcontinent Communications is the Upper Midwest’s leading provider of wideband Internet, video, phone, and cable advertising services for over 295,000 residential and business customers in 340 communities in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.