Friday June 4, 7:30 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Westell Technologies, Inc.
Westell Partners With StarNet for Joint Development of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Integrated Access Device
Communications Portal(TM) Enables Integrated Voice and Data Services Over Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) for CLEC and ILEC Marketplace
AURORA, Ill., and SAN JOSE, Calif., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Westell Technologies, Inc.(Nasdaq: WSTL - news) announced today a multi-phased partnership with StarNet Technologies, Inc. in the development of an Integrated Access Device (IAD), the Communications Portal(TM). The Communications Portal(TM), expected to be available in the third quarter of 1999, will deliver multi-line voice, fax and high-speed data services over a single copper loop using Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology.
StarNet will provide local call switching functionality, Internet access, and signaling layer capabilities to complement Westell's xDSL, transport layer, data, and systems management and integration expertise.
''StarNet will make a significant contribution in differentiating the Communications Portal(TM) from our competitors' products and services,'' stated Westell CEO Marc Zionts. ''This relationship with StarNet is another example of Westell's ability to integrate partners in order to accelerate time to market. The Portal(TM) will allow both CLECs and ILECs to harness the power of DSL by providing integrated voice and data services.''
''StarNet is very excited to partner with Westell to help drive the convergence of voice and data services over the local copper loop,'' said Sanjay Dhawan, president and co-founder of StarNet. ''Westell is a leader in the DSL arena and our partnership demonstrates StarNet's pioneering role in developing business communications solutions that fit the needs of the emerging IAD marketplace.''
The Communications Portal(TM) will provide end-users with an easy-to-use solution that can be quickly integrated into their current network. The Communications Portal(TM) enables a business to obtain any combination of voice, fax and high-speed data services consolidated over one DSL line. These features are integrated into a single multi-service box located at the customer's premises. This new IAD is expected to assist incumbent local service providers, long distance carriers and competitive service providers (CLECs) to change their economic model, maximize their copper plant, attack the sub-T1 market and provide a migration strategy to Next Generation networks.
''The Communications Portal(TM) is the first in a series of IAD solutions from Westell and StarNet which will offer customers the ability to send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, connect their office networks, as well as make reliable, high-quality telephone calls with traditional phone handsets using VoIP,'' said Jayant Kadambi, vice-president and co-founder of StarNet.
''The Communications Portal offers integrated services, IP migration and broadband access'' according to Ben Rabinowitz, Westell Senior Product Manager ''This solution is also non-disruptive to end users by supporting existing centrex services, legacy key systems, and existing routers. We feel it is a very powerful proposition for CLECs, and ILECs.''
Westell also plans to pursue interoperability agreements with established DSLAM and voice gateway vendors as it brings the Communications Portal(TM) to market. The Communications Portal(TM) integrates emerging technology developments in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), xDSL and ATM, with legacy technologies to enable a powerful, flexible solution.
StarNet Technologies, Inc. is focused on being the leading provider of integrated voice and data products that enable plug and play remote access to both the Internet and PSTN for the business users over DSL and other high-speed access technologies. StarNet's products incorporate a traditional, full-featured telephone system, Internet access device, and VoIP telephone system, all in one, easy-to-use, expandable unit. StarNet is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. Contact StarNet by calling 408-954-9200 or by visiting the web site at stilink.com.
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 and value added CPE, and manufactures telecommunications access products. Conference Plus, Inc. is a multi-point telecommunications service bureau specializing in audio teleconferencing, multi-point video conferencing, broadcast fax, and IP multimedia conferencing 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 including, without limitation,
"expected availability of the product in 1999", "will allow both CLECs and
ILECs to harness the power of DSL by providing integrated voice and data
services", "expected to assist incumbent local service providers, long
distance carriers and competitive service providers (CLECs) to change their
economic model", are forward looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, product demand
and market acceptance risks (including the future commercial acceptance of
Westell's ADSL systems by telephone companies and other customers), the impact
of competitive products and technologies (such as cable modems and fiber optic
cable), 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, such
as ADSL systems), 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,
1998 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.
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