Cegetel Selects Tekelec's Equipment Identity Register and G-Flex HLR Manager; Solution Enables French Operator to Screen for Stolen Mobile Handsets and Simplify Database Administration.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2003

Tekelec (Nasdaq: TKLC) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Cegetel Group, a leading operator in France, for the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) feature combined with the flexible numbering solution, G-Flex(R) HLR (home location register) Manager.

SFR, the mobile subsidiary of Cegetel Group, will deploy the solution on Tekelec's EAGLE(R) 5 Signaling Application System (SAS) in its global system for mobile communications (GSM) network. The EIR feature will allow SFR to block and prevent reuse of stolen or lost GSM handsets. G-Flex helps SFR simplify network database administration and easily manage HLRs. G-Flex provides the flexibility to allocate subscriber numbers across HLRs and dynamically rebalance number database loads to meet changing network needs and maximize database capacity.

"Tekelec is committed to providing a wide range of applications on our EAGLE 5 platform--applications that add value for our customers and their subscribers," commented Fred Lax, Tekelec president and CEO. "The implementation of EIR is fast becoming a regulatory requirement in a number of European countries, including France. EAGLE 5 EIR will effectively render a stolen handset useless and help to deter mobile handset theft. Tekelec's G-Flex HLR Manager provides a cost-effective, turnkey solution to enable SFR to evenly distribute subscribers and services across multiple HLRs in the network."

GSM handset theft continues to present a major problem in many countries and has become a key factor in rising street crime. The Tekelec EIR feature is compliant with French regulation requirements and will provide SFR with an efficient means to block stolen handsets and help to reduce crime levels. The G-Flex HLR Manager also provides a number of benefits. It will help SFR to maximize HLR capacity and manage growth, saving in capital expenses and network administration costs. Like the mobile number portability solution supplied to SFR by Tekelec, the EIR and G-Flex solutions will operate on the EAGLE 5 platform, which has a solid reputation for delivering reliable, high-capacity signaling solutions.

The EAGLE 5 SAS, a high-capacity, multi-protocol advanced signaling system, hosts a variety of applications from a single, high-performance platform, including: SS7 (signaling system 7) signal transfer, number portability, signaling gateway, integrated services, and data acquisition. The system supports the IETF Sigtran suite of signaling protocols for next-generation network connectivity, creating a clear path forward to packet telephony and 3G networks.

About Cegetel Group

The Cegetel Group, with a turnover of over EUR 6.4 billion in 2001 and 16 million customers, is the first private French telecommunications operator. It's the only French private operator to offer the entire range of telecommunications services--mobile telephony through SFR and fixed telephony through Cegetel. The Group's global offering is based on the use of its own telecommunications networks, which allows it to offer its customers a wide range of services with guaranteed quality.

About Tekelec

Tekelec is a leading developer of telecommunications signaling and switching solutions, packet-telephony infrastructure, network monitoring 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.

The Tekelec logo, EAGLE, G-Flex, G-Port, and IP7 are registered trademarks of Tekelec. GenuOne, Sentinel, TekServer, and TekWare are trademarks of Tekelec. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.