Telco Systems' EdgeLink100 Jumps Into DS3 Mux Market Lead as 7,000th Unit Ships Driven by Broad Carrier Market Demand

Norwood, Mass. (PROTEXT) - The Carrier Class TIRKS Ready, EdgeLink100 is the Only M13 Multiplexer To Support Both TL1 and SNMP Management. Telco Systems, a leader in edge of the network access solutions and a division of World Access, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAXS), announced today that rising demand for its industry leading DS3 multiplexer, EdgeLink100, from a broad cross section of the nation's leading service providers -- AT&T, Sprint Corporation, Ameritech, Bell Atlantic Mobile, BellSouth, MCI WorldCom, ALLTEL, WinStar Communications, and McLeodUSA -- has pushed the total number of units shipped to 7,000, with shipments for the last quarter increasing 150 percent over the previous quarter. EdgeLink100 was first released in Spring 1998. "Acceptance of the EdgeLink100 by existing and emerging service providers including ISPs, continues to rise impressively since we first launched it last year. Beating the industry growth rate, we saw EdgeLink100 shipments in the first two quarters of this year grow 150 percent," said Dave LeBeau, president of the Telco Systems Transport and Access Division. "Key to its success is the functionality we've continued to add to extend its management capability," he added. In addition to supporting both TL1 and SNMP management, the EdgeLink100 is now Trunk Inventory Record Keeping System (TIRKS) ready. This signals its inclusion in one of Telcordia's (formerly Bellcore) Office System Support systems which are used by RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies) and CLECs (Competitive Local Exchange Carriers). The EdgeLink100 gives service providers a competitive solution for maximizing bandwidth while optimizing space and cost. Its more common applications include: a cost effective solution for T1 access off SONET rings; an efficient and compact solution for bundling T1 traffic from cell sites, or for a quick equipment payback for ISPs leasing DS3s providing high- speed Web access for customers. "We're very pleased, however not surprised, with the depth of carrier interest in the EdgeLink100 as we've designed it specifically to meet their standards and needs," said Clint Clements, Vice President of Global Sales for the Transport and Access Division. "Having the EdgeLink100 TIRKS ready enables any RBOC or CLEC to download software for use in their networks and remotely perform flow through DS1 provisioning. This makes the EdgeLink100 even more attractive from a network management perspective," he said. Clements noted that the EdgeLink100 is the only single rack unit M13 multiplexer in its class to fully support both TL1 and SNMP management which gives service providers unprecedented flexibility for managing large voice and data networks. EdgeLink100 Telco Systems' EdgeLink100 is a fully redundant, broadband DS3 multiplexer designed for applications where bandwidth demand is high, but budget and real estate is limited. The EdgeLink100 exemplifies a new generation of DS3 multiplexers that are extremely compact, quick and easy to install, provision and maintain. Only one rack unit high (1.75"), it occupies less than one- third the space compared to traditional multiplexers with similar functionality and costs less than all others in its class. The EdgeLink100 delivers outstanding performance (up to a full 28 protected DS1s or industry standard DS3) in a compact and cost-effective NEBS certified box. The simple interfaces and user-friendly, menu-driven provisioning screens make the EdgeLink100 the first "plug-and-play" DS3 multiplexer in the industry. About Telco Systems The Telco Systems 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 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 . Note: The term EdgeLink is a trademark (TM) of Telco Systems. ots Original Text Service: World Access, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Dianne Duffin of Telco Systems A Division of World Access, Inc. (USA) 781-255-5239, or dduffin@telco.com 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