Westell Technologies and Fujitsu Telecom Europe Limited (FTEL) Enter Into New Multi-Million Dollar DSL Agreement
PR Newswire - March 27, 2000 07:15
Additional Multi-Million Dollar DSL Revenue Streams Anchor Strategic Alliance Between Leading DSL Firm and Global Telecom Provider
AURORA, Ill., and BIRMINGHAM, England, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Westell Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSTL), and Fujitsu Telecom Europe Limited (FTEL) announced today that they have expanded their strategic alliance to meet FTEL's growing international demand for DSL products and services.
Based on FTEL's increasing success in the global DSL marketplace and Westell Technologies' DSL designs, technologies and capabilities, the Companies have expanded their current arrangement for both network/central office equipment and Customer Premise Equipment (CPE).
FTEL is increasing its level of DSL commitment to Westell and will continue sponsoring certain Westell DSL developments through 2001. In addition to supplying ATM based and 10Base-T Ethernet modems, Westell will also become the provider of Universal Serial Bus (USB) modems to FTEL for the period of this agreement.
As part of the unique, powerful alliance, FTEL will continue to utilize and license Westell's technology as well as leverage Westell's manufacturing capabilities to support its growing demands for broadband products around the globe. Additionally, FTEL and Westell will jointly market and promote their DSL solutions to their international customer base.
The long-term alliance, which includes end-to-end solutions, is designed to enable FTEL to achieve world-class DSL capabilities while maintaining both a cost and technology leadership position for its broadband solutions. FTEL currently supplies equipment for British Telecom's DSL deployment and serves accounts throughout Europe.
"This extension of this agreement even further strengthens our alliance with FTEL," remarked Marc Zionts Westell Technologies CEO. "The long-term nature of the arrangement allows Westell to expand and share our DSL network and central office expertise, while at the same time enhance our capabilities in Customer Premise Equipment area as we help FTEL promote its end-to-end solutions."
"We believe Westell is a model partner and our exceptional relationship will allow FTEL to increase its presence in the broadband marketplace, said Shigeyuki Unagami, Managing Director, FTEL. "Westell's system capabilities, delivery, and understanding of the role of DSL in future networks significantly distinguish them from others in this industry. Our partnership incorporates a unique blend of OEM, licensing and long term intellectual property sharing arrangements that will allow us to provide the most innovative DSL solutions in the marketplace."
FTEL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited and FTEL employs more than 1,200 people at various sites in the UK and Europe. FTEL plays an important role of Fujitsu's telecommunications activities in Europe and its main product portfolio includes manufacture of ISDN, DWS, Kilostream, Optical systems and SDH radio products in addition to design and development of network management platforms and other advanced telecommunications systems and provision of associated support services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting FTEL's Web site at www.ftel.co.uk .
Westell Technologies, Inc, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and Conference Plus, Inc. Westell, Inc. manufactures and licenses DSL systems, value added CPE and manufactures telecommunications access products. Conference Plus, Inc. is a collaborative Application Service Provider that manages and hosts voice, video, IP applications and back-office services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell's Web site at westell.com .
"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements contained herein are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks the impact of competitive products and technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product development, excess and obsolete inventory due to new product development, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the effect of Westell's accounting policies, the effect of economic conditions and trade, legal, social, and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions) and other risks more fully described in Westell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 under the section "Risk Factors". Westell undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SOURCE Westell Technologies, Inc.
-0- 03/27/2000
/CONTACT: Investor Relations, Bruce R. Albelda of Westell, Inc., 630-375-4125, or balbelda@westell.com, or Trade-Business Press, Brad Wills of Wills & Associates, Inc., 301-986-0773, or bwills@wills-pr.com, for Westell, or Phil Church, Director Sales & Marketing of Fujitsu Telecom Europe, Ltd., 44-1-21-717-6122, or P.Church@ftel.co.uk, or Public Relations, Georgina Garrett of Garrett Axford, 44
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/Web site: ftel.co.uk /
/Web site: westell.com / |
