HP Launches Telecom Toolkit for Service Provider Transmission and Protocol Testing.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1999--

New Test Solution Set Leverages Portable, Tablet Platforms and

Test Modules to Simplify Testing, and Reduce Equipment and Training

Costs

Hewlett-Packard Company today introduces its integrated Telecom Toolkit, which speeds and simplifies transmission and high-speed data communications testing for carrier and service provider field-service organizations. The HP Telecom Toolkit includes portable and handheld test equipment, as well as interchangeable test modules that can be used on both platforms. The toolkit provides a consistent "look and feel" and intuitive user interface across all platforms and modules to minimize training and support needs

Network field technicians increasingly face the challenge of installing and trouble-shooting a wide array of data and voice services to homes and offices. Support personnel will be able to utilize the HP Internet Advisor protocol analyzer or the HP Service Advisor portable test tablet, as well as low-cost, application-specific test modules that will function with both instruments, to verify and check many different communications services. Functionality and user interface remain consistent regardless of the platform and module combination selected.

The combination of the two platforms provides a full range of capabilities, from physical transmission testing up through the sophisticated analysis of WAN service performance dataneeded to verify service-level agreements. The remote-access capabilities of the HP Internet Advisor and the HP Service Advisor allow field technicians to collaborate with network specialists to trouble-shoot and resolve problems.

"Typically, field support engineers are required to learn, carry and use four or five different pieces of test equipment, often from different vendors, with different interfaces and command structures," said Tom White, vice president and general manager of HP's Communications Solutions Group. "Now they can simply choose the HP platform and modules they need to put together the ideal tester for their particular situations, and then extend it as needed in the future. This flexibility and investment protection will permit service providers to deliver enhanced service at a lower cost, whether they are qualifying lines for ADSL installations or trouble-shooting a sophisticated enterprise data network."

Toolkit modules are currently available for testing of physical copper plant, voice, ISDN, xDSL, T1 and ATM (at OC-1 and OC-3 rates). Additional products planned for later this year include time domain reflectometer (TDR), DS3/E3, frame relay and further ATM rates modules. All of these modules can be used with either instrument by plugging them directly into slots on the HP Service Advisor or into an undercradle on the HP Internet Advisor.

The HP Internet Advisor and the HP Service Advisor Portable Test

Tablet

The HP Internet Advisor is the industry's leading platform for service-provider internetwork data-communications testing. It simplifies identification and resolution of complex problems on today's LAN, WAN and ATM networks by capturing and decoding network traffic; presenting results in an intuitive, graphic format; and suggesting possible error causes and solutions.

The HP Service Advisor Portable Test Tablet is a rugged, lightweight (5.4-pound), battery-powered platform that can accept a variety of transmission-testing and connectivity modules. Oversized command buttons and touch-screen capabilities, coupled with a graphical Windows(R) CE user interface and test applications, simplify use by field-service personnel.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the HP Telecom Toolkit starts at under $7,000. Except where otherwise noted, all products are expected to be available for shipment by July.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.

HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

HP plans to launch a new company consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, semiconductor products, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on opportunities such as communications and life sciences.

HP has 123,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

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Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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