Excel Switching Corporation Names Nick Toumpas Vice President and General Manager of Open Network Platforms Business Unit.

HYANNIS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 1999--Excel Switching Corporation (NASDAQ:XLSW), a leading provider of open switching platforms for telecommunications networks worldwide, today announced the appointment of Nick Toumpas to vice president and general manager of Excel's Open Network Platforms (ONP) Strategic Business Unit. In this position, Toumpas will be responsible for the development and execution of the marketing strategy addressing Excel's open network platforms. The Open Network Platforms business sector includes Excel's Partners and developers who are developing enhanced services applications. It also includes systems integrators, OEMs and other third party channels of distribution for the Company.

"At XNT, Nick led the company to deliver powerful call-processing solutions for network operators, enhanced service providers and value-added resellers," said Robert Madonna, president and CEO of Excel. "In his new position, Nick will lead the ONP group in developing business strategy, identifying product and market directions, and implementing strategic marketing programs to broaden our leadership position in this market segment."

This appointment is part of a program being implemented by Excel, in which business units have been formed to address the Company's three strategic markets: wireline infrastructure, wireless infrastructure and open platforms. The Open Network Platforms group will address and broaden the Company's traditional marketplace where it continues to maintain a market leadership position. It includes indirect sales to developers, OEM providers and resellers. With the creation of these strategic business units, one of Toumpas' responsibilities is to create synergy working with the wireline business unit in building opportunities for our Partners to offer new services into the infrastructure market.

Toumpas joined Excel after its acquisition of XNT Systems, Inc., a supplier of intelligent switch and comprehensive call-processing and control software, where he held the position of president. Previously he was a consultant with the DMR Group, an IT consulting firm focused on systems integration. Prior to that he spent twelve years with Digital Equipment Corporation holding marketing, sales and system integration responsibilities. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master of business administration degree from the University of New Hampshire.

About Excel Switching Corporation

Excel Switching Corporation is a leading provider of open switching platforms for telecommunications networks worldwide. Excel develops, manufactures, markets and supports a family of open, programmable, carrier-class switches that address the complex enhanced services and wireless and wireline infrastructure needs of network providers. Excel's products are currently deployed in telecommunications networks in approximately 60 countries throughout the world. Visit Excel's website at http://www.xl.com.

This release may contain statements which are "forward looking," and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those relating to Excel's dependence on and concentration of relationships with application developers, original equipment manufacturers and systems integrators; possible delayed or lengthy sales cycles; risks associated with new product introductions; Excel's dependence on its proprietary rights; and other risks identified in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including those risks identified in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 27, 1997 on Form 10-K, as amended. Product and service names used within are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of their respective owners.