WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Feb. 21, 2006 -- Voice over IP (VoIP) provider Vocalscape Networks Inc. announced that it is acquiring 100 percent of industry hardware maker Azatel Communications, either through an asset purchase agreement or a stock purchase agreement. Azatel is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, and manufactures media terminal adapters, soft switches and session controllers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We have been actively looking for an acquisition within the hardware business that enabled lower cost analog telephone adapters and IP phones for clients and the VoIP marketplace in general. Having a physical product will increase the presence of Vocalscape globally and complement our software and services," said Vocalscape VP Ryan Gibson in a written statement. Azatel founder and CEO Derek Herman said that the Azatek sales team would be working with the Vocalscape team to expand sales and distribution opportunities. "This has been a long-awaited strategic move for Azatel to find the right partner to expand globally with," he said in a written statement. For more information, visit: www.vocalscape.com