Exhibit Hall Teems with Energy

By Paula Bernier

The show floor at CompTel/ASCENT Fall 2005 Convention & Expo is teeming with energy, as its 130-plus exhibitors promote both existing and new products and services.

The fall show continues to grow, and it is a testament to the entrepreneurial nature of our members, says Earl W. Comstock, COMPTELs new president and CEO. Im impressed by the variety of innovative new products and services being showcased at this event and the large number of new exhibitors that have joined us. I look forward to seeing the continued growth and expansion of our shows in the coming years.

It comes as little surprise that VoIP is among the hot topics at the show. Many companies are promoting new products in that vein on the show floor.

In addition to the products and services theyre promoting, some of the exhibitors at the show also have positive new stories to tell on the financial and acquisition front.

For example, RCN, which had a scheduled bankruptcy running from May through December, in March was relisted on the NASDAQ, has been through a major reorganization, has relaunched its commercial business and even increased its guidance. We like where we are, says Peter D. Aquino, the companys new president and CEO.

In another uplifting comment, Barry Toser, senior vice president and general manager of the telecom services division at TNS, noted the company which had an IPO valued at around $18 a share, now trades for around $24. TNS offers SS7 and validation services.

Meanwhile, TelCove, which closed its acquisition of KMC Telecom June 30, says most of that network is now integrated into its organization. So its just gone extremely well, says Jeff Donahue, senior vice president of sales and operations.