To all
DSL read, WSTL mentioned as OEM at bottom of article.
(COMTEX) B: NETOPIA: Netopia asserts leadership position in VoDSL wit
B: NETOPIA: Netopia asserts leadership position in VoDSL with acquisition of
Starnet Technologies
OCT 13, 1999, M2 Communications - ALAMEDA, California -- NETOPIA, Inc.
(NASDAQ: NTPA), a market leader in providing Internet and electronic
commerce infrastructure to small and medium-size businesses, today
announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire StarNet
Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of integrated voice and data
communications technology and products. StarNet also serves as the
editor of the VoDSL (Voice over Digital Subscriber Line) Standards
Committee for the industry's ADSL Forum.
The acquisition, which is expected to close promptly after receipt of
required government approvals, will be accounted for under the purchase
method, and is expected to result in a one-time write-off for
in-process R&D. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"The strategic fit between the StarNet and Netopia teams and
technologies is perfect," said Alan Lefkof, president and CEO of
Netopia, Inc. "Our acquisition of StarNet will further strengthen
Netopia's DSL leadership position, expand our market share, and
accelerate our growth in this rapidly emerging marketplace."
StarNet's innovative VoDSL, H.323-based VoIP (Voice over Internet
Protocol), and PBX (Private Branch Exchange) technologies will enable
Netopia to extend its market reach by offering voice/data Integrated
Access Devices (IADs). DSL-based voice/data IADs will allow Netopia's
CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) and ISP (Internet Service
Provider) partners to offer their small and medium-size business
customers a cost effective, easily managed, integrated solution for
their voice and data needs, making it possible to provision multiple
voice lines and broadband, "always-on" Internet access over a single,
"twisted pair," copper phone line. Netopia expects to launch its first
VoDSL IAD products that incorporate StarNet's technology in the quarter
ending March 31st, 2000.
Netopia, which recently announced strategic partnerships with the
leading manufacturers of VoDSL gateways, CopperCom, JetStream and
TollBridge, is well positioned to take advantage of the emerging market
for VoDSL IADs. CLECs and ISPs will be primary channels through which
VoDSL IADs are offered to the end customer, and Netopia enjoys strong
partnerships with leading DSL data CLECs (NorthPoint, Jato, Rhythms,
etc.) and ISPs (Concentric, PSINet, UUNet, Verio, etc.). Moreover,
Netopia has established strong partnerships with leading voice CLECs
such as Birch Telecom, Frontier Communications and ICG. As data CLECs
look to enter the voice market and voice CLECs look to enter the data
market, Netopia believes it is strategically well positioned to help
all parties make this transition.
Founded in 1996, StarNet Technologies has developed ISDN and
DSL-based IADs, as well as H.323-based VoIP, stackable-PBX, CTI
(Computer Telephony Integration), distributed voicemail, and Microsoft
Windows-integrated TSPI (Telephony Service Provider Interface)
technologies. StarNet also has OEM agreements with leading companies,
including Westell Technologies, Inc., Samsung Electronics and TDK
Systems. Netopia intends to maintain StarNet's Silicon Valley facility,
and all StarNet's full-time employees will be fully integrated into
Netopia's Internet Equipment Division. StarNet's president and CEO,
Sanjay Dhawan, will become Netopia's vice president for international
business development and worldwide OEM sales.
"I believe that Netopia has all the technological and manufacturing
infrastructure in place, as well as all the channel relationships to
become the leading player in VoDSL IADs for small and medium-size
businesses," said Dhawan. "Being at the forefront of Voice over DSL, we
are very excited to become part of the Netopia team."
ABOUT NETOPIA
Netopia, Inc. develops, markets and supports Internet and electronic
commerce infrastructure for small and medium-size businesses. Netopia's
DSL equipment and Web platforms enable businesses to easily and
cost-effectively connect to the Internet, establish and enhance their
Internet presence, and conduct business and electronic commerce on the
Web.
With the Netopia Web site and E-commerce platform, the Company has
established services with Citigroup's Bizzed.com (NYSE: C), Netscape
Netcenter, Intuit (Nasdaq: INTU), France Telecom (NYSE: FTE), Freeserve
(Nasdaq: FREE) and Concentric Network (Nasdaq: CNCX). With its Netopia
DSL Router family, the Company has established interoperability with
central office equipment from Copper Mountain Networks (Nasdaq: CMTN),
Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK); and has
established strategic distribution relationships with leading CLECs
including NorthPoint Communications (Nasdaq: NPNT), Rhythms
NetConnections (Nasdaq: RTHM) and Jato Communications; and with
hundreds of ISPs including France Telecom, Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI),
Bell Atlantic (NYSE: BEL), PSINet (Nasdaq: PSIX), Verio, UUNet (Nasdaq:
WCOM), Earthlink (Nasdaq: ELNK) and Concentric Network.
Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with a European branch in Paris,
Netopia's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market under
the symbol "NTPA." Further information about the company can be
obtained on the web at www.netopia.com.
Portions of this release contain forward-looking statements. Netopia,
Inc.'s actual results could differ materially from the results
discussed in this release. Investors are cautioned that all
forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties,
including but not limited to product development, product acceptance,
licensing opportunities and general economic conditions. A complete
description of Netopia, Inc., including related risk factors is
discussed in Netopia, Inc.'s public filings with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission which are available by calling
Netopia at 510-814-5260 or online at www.sec.gov.
-0-
(C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTDCONTACT: Philippe Caillet, Netopia
Europe
Tel: +44 (0)181 758 75 46
Fax: +44 (0)181 758 75 47
e-mail: pcaillet@netopia.co.uk
*M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR
INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA
SUPPLIED BY NAMED PARTY/PARTIES.*
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