Vortex Broadband Deploys Tekelec's Next-Generation Network Solutions

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2005--

    Tekelec 7000 Class 5 Packet Switch with Packet Interface Card and Tekelec 6000 Application Server Enable Delivery of Business,
    Residential VoIP Services

    Tekelec (NASDAQ: TKLC), a leading developer of telecommunications products for next-generation fixed, mobile and packet networks, today announced Vortex Broadband Communications has deployed the Tekelec 7000 Class 5 Packet Switch (C5), including a Packet Interface Card (PIC) and the Tekelec 6000 application server, to deliver Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and IP Centrex services to business and residential customers throughout southern Florida.
    The entire Tekelec solution provides the foundation for Vortex Broadband's all-IP network. The West Palm Beach-based competitive local exchange carrier's deployment is the first office application of the Tekelec PIC, which provides IP capabilities to Tekelec's C5 packet switch and enables the delivery of true next-generation services. In addition, Vortex uses the Tekelec 6000 to support its business and residential-class hosted IP telephony services.
    "We built our advanced IP network to provide high-speed, reliable voice, data and video services to customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional carriers. We needed a C5 voice network solution that would efficiently and cost-effectively support service delivery and scale to support our expansion into new markets," said Todd Shepherd, president and founder of Vortex Broadband. "Tekelec delivers a true, next-generation, feature-rich platform with the reliability and scalability to meet our stringent requirements. With Tekelec's Class 5 switching platform and application server, we can deliver the advanced IP telephony services that our customers demand. This gives us a quick time-to-market advantage over our competition."
    The Tekelec 7000 C5 with PIC scales from as few as 192 ports of VoIP gateway capacity to configurations that support 40,000 subscribers or more. The platform features Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interfaces for subscribers, trunking, and SIP-based application servers, with special support for the T6000 platform, enabling carriers such as Vortex Broadband to deliver true next-generation services such as Virtual PBX and Office Centrex functionality.
    The Tekelec 6000 features carrier-class performance and a robust feature set, including unified messaging, user-scheduled conferencing, find me/follow me and Web Portal capabilities that support visual voicemail, click-to-dial and integration of directories and calendars with telephony features.
    "The completion of this first office application of the Packet Interface Card with our Class 5 Packet Switch launches Tekelec ahead of the competition with next-generation switching applications for residential and business subscribers in multiservice packet and broadband networks," said Tricia Hosek, president and general manager of the Tekelec Switching Solutions Group. "Out market-leading application server coupled with our switching platform provides VoIP and IP Centrex services that are critical differentiators for our CLEC customers."

    About Vortex Broadband

    Vortex Broadband is a leading independent operating carrier supplying voice, data, and video solutions for small and medium enterprise businesses. Vortex Broadband uses a wireless IP infrastructure to completely bypass the last mile owned by the local exchange carrier, thus providing tremendous savings to customers while improving quality, availability and scalability of the services. Corporate headquarters are located in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more information, please visit www.vortexbb.net.

    About Tekelec

    Tekelec is a leading developer of now and next-generation signaling and switching telecommunications solutions, network performance management technology and value-added applications. Tekelec's innovative solutions are widely deployed in traditional and next-generation wireline and wireless networks and contact centers worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located in Calabasas, Calif., with research and development facilities and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com.

--30--TM1/na*

CONTACT: Tekelec Investor Contact: Mike Attar, 818-880-7821 michael.attar@tekelec.com or Press Contacts: Joni K. Brooks, 919-461-1065 joni.brooks@tekelec.com or GolinHarris Laura Slagle, 972-308-9141 lslagle@golinharris.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NORTH CAROLINA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Tekelec

Copyright Business Wire 2005