CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1999--
Contract Clears Way for Industry Leading IP
Signaling Transport Network
Tekelec (Nasdaq: TKLC) today announced that it has signed a
multimillion dollar contract with Orange Personal Communications
Services Ltd.
Tekelec will deliver a complete, Internet protocol (IP) SS7
signaling transport solution for the GSM network that will allow
Orange to offer next-generation services to its customers.
Orange is the UK's largest and fastest-growing mobile phone
network with over 4 million customers. "We are really looking
forward to working with Tekelec on implementing this new signaling
network," stated Graham Baxter, Manager Switch Services Design.
"We have been very impressed by the system already deployed in the
US and the technical excellence of Tekelec's architecture. This
solution will provide Orange with a state of the art, scalable,
and cost effective SS7 signaling network which will meet all our
demands for the foreseeable future."
Mike Margolis, CEO, Tekelec, said "We are extremely pleased to
work with Orange, a company that shares our commitment to network
evolution, on the launch of its IP-enabled signaling network.
Orange has demonstrated its dedication to innovative, robust,
next-generation networks that are needed in the worldwide
telecommunications services market. This deployment will
demonstrate our expertise in IP-based signaling network
infrastructure in a high profile GSM network. Most importantly,
Orange customers will benefit and can look forward to a host of
value-added services."
Tekelec will provide two IP7 Secure Gateways(TM) and 24 IP7
Edge(TM) nodes. Initial deployment is scheduled for the first
quarter of 2000. The IP7 Secure Gateways provide global title
translation and signaling for central network routing and control.
Over 2,600 SS7 links will interface to Tekelec's IP7 Edge nodes,
which will connect to the signaling gateways via IP connection.
The network topology creates a scalable infrastructure that allows
Orange to add new IP-enabled elements to support the explosive
growth in its customer base.
"SS7 signaling within the IP network will be encapsulated by the
open transport adapter layer interface (TALI), which is now being
deployed by many operators internationally and has been submitted
to standards bodies for consideration," said David Colbeck,
managing director and vice president of Tekelec, Limited.
The project includes models, management systems, integration, and
ongoing support and training from Tekelec's European Support
Center in the UK.
Orange provides a broad range of personal communications services.
As well as Orange GSM 1800 services, this includes other digital
cellular telephone and paging services. Orange provides high-
quality, hand-portable coverage to over 98% of the UK population
and over 80% of the geographic area. Orange offers roaming on 189
networks in 93 countries, with 200 networks in 100 countries
targeted by the end of 1999. Information about Orange can be found
on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk and media information
can be found at www.media.orange.net .
Tekelec, a leading supplier of signaling and control systems,
develops innovative network switching and diagnostic solutions
that enable the convergence of traditional and converged wireline,
wireless, and IP voice and data communications networks. The
company also provides products and solutions for call centers and
other telecommunications markets. Tekelec has its headquarters in
Calabasas, Calif., and divisions in Morrisville, N.C., and
Richardson, Texas. For more information, please visit
tekelec.com .
Orange is a trademark of Orange plc group.
The Tekelec logo is a registered trademark of Tekelec. IP7 Secure
Gateway and IP7 Edge are trademarks of Tekelec.
CONTACT: NSD Marketing Communications
Linda Marco, 919/380-3842
linda.marco@tekelec.com
or
Tekelec
Erik Randerson, 818/880-7821
erik.randerson@tekelec.com
or
Stackig/TMP
Geoff Livingston, 703/761-2557
glivingston@stackig.com |
