Transaction Network Services Prepares for
Illinois Number Pooling With Purchase of
Evolving Systems' Latest LNP Software

DENVER, Colo., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolving Systems (Nasdaq: EVOL), a leading provider of services and local number portability (LNP) solutions for the telecommunications industry, today announced that Transaction Network Services Inc. (TNS) (Nasdaq: TNSI) has purchased number pooling features that will allow it to offer seamless service to customers during the next phase of the Illinois Number Pooling trial. The trial is a test of operational procedures that will forestall the need for new area codes in the Chicago region through more efficient allocation of existing numbers.

TNS, a leading nationwide provider of LNP and SS7 networking services, has taken delivery of version 1.3 NumberManager(R), Evolving Systems' local service management system (LSMS). The latest version of NumberManager contains features that will allow TNS to operate seamlessly when the Midwest Region Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC) implements new number pooling software this month.

"We chose Evolving Systems' number pooling solution primarily because it wrote the number pooling software used by the Midwest Region NPAC, but also because we've had great success using NumberManager in our service bureau for the past year," said David O'Connor, TNS vice president of SS7 services.

NumberManager enables TNS to connect to all U.S. and Canadian number portability administration centers (NPACs). TNS houses all current LNP data in proprietary service control points (SCPs). TNS' customers, competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and interexchange carriers (IXCs) access TNS' SCPs via its national SS7 network to complete calls and retrieve accurate information for billing and back office support.

LNP opens the door to local telephone competition by allowing consumers to keep their telephone numbers when they change service providers. Because telecommunications companies have traditionally provisioned services and billed customers based upon telephone numbers, LNP requires fundamental changes in telecommunications operations. These same changes facilitate number pooling, a system that minimizes the need for new area codes by gathering unused numbers for reassignment to service providers in need of telephone numbers.

LNP service is implemented through the NPACs, which act as data clearinghouses. Evolving Systems wrote the software that runs the NPACs, including the latest version 1.4 upgrade, which contains a module that streamlines number pooling operations. This module is slated for activation in the Illinois Number Pooling trial this month and may be used later by NPACs in other regions.

About Evolving Systems

Evolving Systems, based in Englewood, Colo., is a software development and systems integration firm providing a full range of business and operational support systems, services and product solutions for the telecommunications industry. Founded in 1985, Evolving Systems delivered the telecommunication industry's first-to-market software applications addressing local number portability at the service provider level. Evolving Systems' client base includes local exchange carriers (LECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs), competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), wireless providers and network equipment suppliers. The company is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol EVOL. To learn more about Evolving Systems, see its Web site at www.evolving.com.

About Transaction Network Service, Inc.

Transaction Network Services, Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, provides data communications services for transaction-oriented applications. The company is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol TNSI. Additional company information is available on the TNS web site at www.tnsi.com.

In accordance with Section 21E of the SEC Act of 1934, as amended, this release contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with certain risk factors. Risk factors involved in investing in Evolving Systems are defined in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-43973) which was declared effective by the SEC on May 11, 1998. The agreement mentioned in the release may have no material impact on the company's future earnings.

The Evolving Systems logo and NumberManager are trademarks of Evolving Systems, Inc.

SOURCE Evolving Systems

CO: Evolving Systems; Transaction Network Services, Inc.