Leap Selects Tekelec Switching Solutions to Power VoIP and Data Network; Tekelec 9000 Distributed Switching Solution with Wireless Multimedia Gateway Provides Significant Cost Savings for Growing Wireless Operator.

MORRISVILLE, N.C. & LAS VEGAS -- Tekelec (NASDAQ: TKLC), a leading developer of high-performance network applications for next-generation fixed, mobile and packet networks, today announced during CTIA Wireless 2006 that Leap Wireless International, Inc. will deploy the Tekelec 9000 Distributed Switching Solution to support its VoIP and data network and Cricket(R) service across its entire 39-market, 19-state operating territory.

Leap's Cricket service provides unlimited calling and affordable, feature-rich plans for a flat monthly rate with no annual contract requirement. To support subscriber enhancements and increase cost savings, Leap will be deploying its own Tekelec 9000 backbone network consisting of multiple distributed Tekelec 8000 Wireless Multimedia Gateways and centralized Tekelec 3000 Media Gateway Controllers.

"We have a sophisticated and growing subscriber base with very unique needs--more than half of Cricket customers rely solely on us for their home phone service and, as a result, use more than double the industry average minutes per month," said Glenn Umetsu, EVP and chief technology officer. "We investigated several vendor solutions, and Tekelec's next-generation switching portfolio exceeded our technical requirements while delivering significant cost savings, which further improves our leadership position on cost."

Leap first deployed Tekelec EAGLE(R) 5 Integrated Signaling System (ISS) platforms in its rapidly growing network in 2001. The proven performance and reliability of the signaling platforms were also factors for Leap in deciding to expand its relationship with Tekelec.

"Leap's decision to deploy our next-generation switching solutions for its Cricket service at the core of its network demonstrates the unmatched quality, reliability and cost savings Tekelec delivers to our customers," said Rick Mace, executive vice president, Global Business Group Operations at Tekelec. "This nationwide network deployment shows the full power and flexibility of our market-leading solution to meet any deployment scenario."

The Tekelec 9000 system will be fully deployed on Leap's network by the end of this year, with plans to deploy additional products in 2007.

For more information about the Tekelec 9000 and Tekelec 8000 Wireless Multimedia Gateway, please visit Tekelec's booth #1226 at CTIA Wireless 2006.

About Tekelec

Tekelec is a high-performance network applications company that is accelerating the transition to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks for service providers around the globe. With its unparalleled experience at the intersection of network applications and session control, Tekelec creates the most-efficient platforms for managing media and delivering network solutions. Corporate headquarters are located in Morrisville, N.C., with research and development facilities and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com.