Excel announces new product; CSN demonstrated at PCS '96.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 1996--PCS Booth # 656--Excel, Inc. today announced a new product capability, positioned to complement its family of programmable switching systems. The Communications Service Node, or CSN, is a programmable switch designed to support up to 1,024 non-blocking ports with direct access to voice processing resources. The new capability enables CSN switches to support redundant matrix CPU cards, resulting in an entry-level switching platform that can optionally be configured for complete redundancy. With this capability, the CSN offers the wireless industry the most compact fully redundant switch on the market today. It is uniquely positioned for applications and services that demand continuous system availability while offering entry-level scalability, and is suitable for mission critical switching and network interface applications, as well as enhanced services such as prepaid calling cards, find-me services and messaging.

"The CSN meets an emerging demand for both scalability and configuration flexibility in programmable switching platforms. With its new redundant matrix CPU capability, it also meets the rigorous demands for CO-level reliability. Wireless/PCS service providers need switching platforms that provide both scalability and very high reliability," said Bob Madonna, President of Excel. The CSN's hardware architecture is compatible with Excel's LNX and EXS products. "CSN provides the solution for an entry-level switching platform, yet it can operate in an Expandable Switching System (EXS), Excel's distributed switching architecture. EXS enables multiple CSN and/or LNX nodes to support much larger, distributed processing services. With optional system redundancy, CSN serves a unique market need: entry level service with the reliability usually associated with much larger systems."

The CSN product can be used to interface to a variety of networks, including T1 and E1 network interfaces along with common channel signaling via ISDN or SS7. It can also connect to voice resources operating on industry standard buses such as MVIP and SCSA. The switch, like its companion products, also supports multi-function digital signal processing, voice recorded announcements, conferencing and other voice processing services.

"With these capabilities, its compatibility with Excel's product family, and optional system redundancy, CSN can be deployed in a variety of wireless applications," said Rick Rotondo, Excel's Manager of Industry Marketing for the wireless industry. "For example, the CSN operates as a switching node in the wireless local loop, where reliability is crucial since switches are being deployed in remote locations. The CSN is also well-positioned as the switch interface between Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) and In-Building Wireless services, an emerging market demanding high performance in a small footprint with the reliability of a CO switch."

The CSN operates in a trim chassis; it's 7" height enables it to operate on the desktop or in a rack. CSN uses the same application programming interface and service cards as the LNX, providing product line compatibility with LNX and EXS. Up to six cards can be installed in the CSN including the matrix CPUs and four additional cards to support a variety of services. The new redundancy was designed without requiring expansion of the chassis, and without losing any slot availability, two important design criteria for the product.

Availability and Pricing

CSN is being demonstrated at the Personal Communications Showcase, PCS `96, in San Francisco from September 19-21, Booth 656. The CSN product is available today; optional matrix redundancy will be available early next year. U.S. Domestic list price for the CSN starts at $30,000 and increases based on the network and service resources required for the particular application.

About Excel, Inc.

Excel, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets and supports a family of open architecture, programmable switches used in a wide variety of telecommunications applications, including Advanced Intelligent Networks (AIN), Personal Communications Services and Networks (PCS/PCN), wireless and wireline service provisioning, a wide variety of enhanced services, and service bureau operations. The company markets it products primarily to systems integrators, application developers, OEMs, and service providers for deployment worldwide. Founded in 1988, Excel is based in Hyannis, MA.

CONTACT: Excel

Karen Steele, 508/862-3145

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