Agilent Technologies Announces Intent to Strengthen Its Telecommunications Fraud Solution Portfolio.

Business Editors and High Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2001

Worldwide Channel Agreement to be entered with Cerebrus Solutions

to Provide Operations Support Systems Solutions to Help Service

Providers Quickly Reduce Fraud Losses

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that it intends to enter into a channel agreement with Cerebrus Solutions Ltd. The agreement will allow service providers to purchase the Cerebrus(RE) fraud solution directly from Agilent. Cerebrus Solutions Ltd. has been formed to operate the Nortel Networks Fraud Solutions business, which includes the Cerebrus(RE) solution following its expected purchase by Argo(1) in September 2001.

Agilent plans to resell the Cerebrus(RE) fraud solution either as a stand-alone solution or as part of its acceSS7 solution set to service providers worldwide. This agreement will enable service providers to work with Agilent to deploy a world-leading fraud solution encompassing the Cerebrus(RE) solution and leading SS7 solutions from Agilent, with one order, one support agreement and one point of contact.

"This agreement will allow service providers to purchase the Cerebrus(RE) solution together with world-leading services and support from one supplier," said Andy Belcher, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Telecommunications Systems Division. "Agilent is committed to the fight against telecoms fraud. By including Cerebrus(RE) as part of our SS7 solution portfolio, Agilent is providing one of the leading fraud management solutions in the industry."

"With shrinking revenues and the growing emphasis on cost reduction, it is of growing importance for international and national carriers to manage revenue leakage more effectively today than ever before," said Colin Yates, manager fraud services, Telecom New Zealand. "The independence of SS7 feeds from the billing process, combined with leading neural network fraud detection technology, is expected to provide the most effective means of stemming losses. In addition to protecting today's revenues, this solution will provide additional protection as we move to new technologies such as VoIP and 3G."

The real-time SS7 CDRs (call detail records) delivered by acceSS7 will provide Cerebrus(RE) with a rich source of information, providing fast detection of a wide range of fraud, such as innocent but expensive configuration errors, ghosting fraud, organized fraud that exploits mobile phone roaming capabilities and call back scams. These solutions will help service providers reduce fraud losses, by detecting suspected fraud as it happens on their networks and services.

AcceSS7 is deployed by over 100 of the world's leading wireline and wireless operators. Information about acceSS7 is available on the Web at www.access7.com. Information about Cerebrus is available on the Web at www.fraud-solutions.com.

Agilent in Communications

Agilent Technologies is a leading provider of components, test, measurement, monitoring and management solutions for the communications industry. Agilent enables designers, manufacturers and service providers to accelerate the delivery of next-generation devices, networks and services. Agilent's broad set of solutions and services includes optical, wireless, Internet and broadband technologies that span the entire communications lifecycle.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 43,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 2000, as restated to reflect the sale of its healthcare business. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements relating to closing and timing of the acquisition of the Nortel Networks Fraud Solutions business by Cerebrus, the expected benefits to customers from the channel agreement and the performance of the products sold under the agreement, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from management's current expectations. These risks are detailed in Agilent's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2001, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed June 29, 2001, Aug. 15, 2001 and Aug. 22, 2001.

Note: (1) As separately announced today, Argo II -- The Wireless Internet Fund -- has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Nortel Networks' market-leading Fraud Solutions business. The new company, Cerebrus Solutions Ltd., has been formed to operate the business. The channel agreement will become effective upon the completion of the acquisition. The acquisition is expected to close in September 2001 and is subject to closing conditions.