British Telecom Successfully Deploys 1000th Telco Systems' Access60 / Highly Complex Implementation Involving Multiple Installations Daily

Norwood, Mass. (PROTEXT) - Telco Systems, a leader in edge of the network access solutions and a division of World Access, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAXS), announced today that British Telecommunications plc (BT) has deployed over 1,000 of Telco Systems' Access60 integrated access multiplexers throughout its UK network. A significant milestone, the installations involved an extensive Telco Systems' support operation. "Reaching this level of deployment of our Access60 with a major European service provider of BT's stature is very significant due to the scope and complexity of the deployment," said David LeBeau, President of Telco Systems and the Transport and Access Division of World Access. "We have supplied BT with a customised full-service solution to meet their exacting requirements. This has involved all the varied facets of installation, including on-site surveying, physical installation, testing and commissioning. Over the past year, we've been averaging three installations a day. This has been a massive logistical support operation and we're extremely pleased that we've met the customer's requirements," LeBeau added. Part of a $15 million contract awarded to Telco Systems, the Access60 is providing the delivery of FeatureNet, BT's premiere VPN and centrex service offering for its UK business customers. In its network, BT has deployed Access60 systems in a back-to- back configuration at both the Exchange and at the customer premise. Among the customers are many of the UK's leading banks and major retailers. Each Access60 is equipped with a combination of voice application modules supporting both analogue POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and specialised feature P-Phones. "We gave Telco Systems a challenging assignment that included meeting a number of specific technical requirements. A stringent service delivery was also expected which we in turn expect to supply to our customers. After a service ramp up period, Telco Systems provided BT with that very high level of service," said John Turner, BT FeatureNet Program Manager. "We awarded them the contract not only because of the Access60's features and flexible architecture but because Telco Systems presented us with a complete Telephone Exchange and CPE solution that supplied all the services required by us and our customers," said Turner. "At the same time, they also offered us the most cost-effective solution." In addition to the industry-standard interfaces, Telco Systems' Access60 is equipped with special interface cards which support the electronic business telephone sets (P-Phones). These phones have multi-function buttons and display and are widely used in diverse business environments. They also support heavy traffic applications, such as reception areas and Call Centres. "Assisting BT in the cost-effective delivery of its premiere service to its major business customers throughout the UK has been a true partnership in which the customer's requirements drove the set-up of the support program," said Chris Butcher, Telco Systems' UK Sales Director. "This has been a high visibility challenge which we've successfully met and will continue to meet as our business partnership develops." About World Access World Access' Transport & Access Division is a leader in innovative access solutions for public and private wireline and wireless networks. At the division's core are Telco Systems' network edge access solutions, including the EdgeLink family of multiplexers and integrated access for circuit-switched and packet-based networks, and ATI's digital microwave transport solutions, including the WavePLEX family, for short and long-haul wireless networks. With combined expertise in voice, data and video applications, the division offers service providers and private corporate networks cost-effective, flexible network solutions that enable them to compete more effectively in the marketplace. World Access designs a broad range of wireline and wireless telecommunications products and provides wholesale international long distance services for service providers worldwide. The World Access Equipment Group develops and markets a suite of solutions ranging from single products to comprehensive network solutions including intelligent multiplexers, digital microwave radio systems, digital switches, billing and network telemanagement systems, cellular base stations, fixed wireless local loop systems and engineering services. Through its facilities based network and various termination and resale relationships, The World Access Telecommunications Group provides international long distance to more than 200 countries. For more information, please visit the World Access web site at www.waxs.com and Telco Systems' web site at www.telco.com . About British Telecommunications plc BT (British Telecommunications plc) is one of the world's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its main products and services are local, long-distance and international phone service (with direct dial connection to more than 220 countries); telephone lines, equipment and private circuits for homes and businesses; providing and managing private networks; and supplying mobile communications services. The world's fourth largest telecommunications company, BT employs 129,000 people. Note: The term Access60 is a registered trademark (R) of Telco Systems, Inc. ots Original Text Service: Telco Systems, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Dianne Duffin, (USA) 781-255-5239, or dduffin@telco.com , or Heather Castle of Telco Systems, Inc., 0118 921 6103, or hcastle@telco.com , both of Telco Systems, Inc., A Division of World Access, Inc. Web site: http://www.waxs.com Web site: http://www.telco.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT