Ariel Successfully Completes SS7 Network Testing of New Gateway with GTE TSI; Lets Ariel's SS7-Enabled Network Access Systems Connect Directly To GTE's National SS7 Network.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

CRANBURY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000

Ariel Corp. (NASDAQ:ADSP), a leading supplier of Windows NT and Linux network access solutions, Monday announced that it has successfully completed SS7 network testing with GTE TSI for BypaSS7, Ariel's new SS7-enabled network access system.

The completion of testing allows Ariel to connect the new system directly to the GTE's national SS7 network.

"The successful completion of the SS7 testing process with GTE TSI represents a key milestone in bringing our SS7-enabled network access products to market," said Dennis Schneider, president and CEO at Ariel. "Recently, we also completed interoperability testing at the TARA labs. With these key milestones under our belt, we plan to hit the ground running with our new BypaSS7 systems."

BypaSS7 is a revolutionary new SS7-enabled network access system that enhances network efficiency and slashes equipment cost by allowing carriers to provide Internet traffic without tying up critical parts of the public switched telephone network such as class 5 switches. BypaSS7 combines one or more Linux network access servers (NAS) with an SS7 signaling gateway (SSG). The NAS, equipped with Ariel's 96-port RS4200 56K/ISDNPCI plug-in cards, receives 56K and Basic Rate ISDN (BRI) subscriber calls from the PSTN via Inter Machine Trunks. Ariel's BypaSS7 SSG, based on a telco-grade Sun Netra server running the Solaris operating system, uses signaling information from the SS7 network to terminate V.90 and ISDN subscriber calls destined for the NAS.

Until now, most carriers have delivered subscriber calls to ISPs via T1/PRI lines provisioned from the nearest class 5 switch. The drawback to this approach is that it occupies expensive PSTN resources that were designed to handle short-duration voice calls, not long-hold-time Internet calls. The result is inefficient use of the public switched telephone network and large capital expenses. Ariel's new SS7-enabled network access system bypasses the end office switch by enabling carriers to connect ISPs to the PSTN via Inter Machine Trunks (IMTs) rather than PRIs. This approach frees up voice ports and enables carriers to expand their ISP business without purchasing new switches.

SS7 (Signaling System 7) is the protocol used in the public switched telephone network for setting up calls and providing services. The SS7 network sets up and tears down calls, handles all routing decisions, and supports all modern telephony services such as toll free numbers, call forwarding, caller ID, and local number portability. ANSI governs the U.S. standard for SS7.

Equipment suppliers who wish to offer equipment that connects to the U.S. SS7 network must successfully complete testing through an SS7 hub provider such as GTE TSI. The test verifies the proper operation of two major components of the equipment's SS7 stack: MTP layers 1-3, which provides link layer functionality, and ISUP (ISDN User Part), an application layer that performs call setup and tear down.

More on Ariel

Ariel Corp. is a leading provider of high-density, SS7-enabled dial-up access equipment for applications such as Internet access, corporate Intranet/Extranet access, on-line services, telecommuting, transaction processing and unified messaging. Ariel's dial-up access concentrator products make it easy for ISPs and OEMs targeting ISPs and other service providers to create high-density dial-up solutions using open systems platforms running a variety of popular operating systems, including Windows NT and Linux.

For more information on Ariel products, contact Ariel Corp. at 2540 Route 130, Cranbury, N.J. 08512. Phone [phone]. Fax [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. World Wide Web: www.ariel.com.

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including market acceptance of the company's products by technical original equipment manufacturers and internet service providers, the timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing market conditions and the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or currently expected. These forward looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release.

The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward looking statements.

Ariel is a registered trademark of Ariel Corp.

More on GTE TSI

GTE Telecommunication Services (GTE TSI), based in Tampa, Fla., USA, is a global supplier of interoperability solutions to telecommunications providers. In addition to operating the world's largest wireless data clearinghouse, GTE TSI's broad array of products includes inter-standard wireless roaming solutions, intelligent network services, fraud management solutions and other types of service bureau applications that simplify the complex technical and business relationships that exist in today's competitive global telecommunications industry. GTE TSI's customer base includes more than 220 telecommunications operators located in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.