Memotec First to Ship Multiservice Solution With BRI QSIG Support Over Frame Relay, IP and ATM.

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 1999--

Memotec(R) Communications Inc. (ME:MCM.)(TSE:MCM.)(Memotec) today announced that its CX950(TM) Access Switch, currently shipping, is the first multiservice access solution to reach the market with support for ISDN/QSIG over a BRI interface supporting transparent Common Channel Signaling (CCS) over Frame Relay, IP and ATM. With the CX950, this strategic digital voice feature is available for the first time to remote site offices - particularly within the ISDN-centric European marketplace - with 100 percent CCS transparency over a converged network. Now smaller branch offices can take advantage of the BRI interface connectivity and support ISDN and QSIG transparently to a central site location using Memotec's CX1000e(TM) Multi-Port Access Switch.

Ericsson And Memotec - Perfect Product Compatibility

Prior to the CX950 launch, Memotec conducted joint lab tests with Ericsson, its newest telecommunications global partner, to confirm the compatibility of Memotec's CX950 and CX900e(TM) BRI QSIG support with Ericsson's line of PBXs.

"We were pleased with the results which were more than successful," said Frank Pharose, Partner Product manager at Ericsson Enterprise Systems. "In our strategy for Business Class services over converged networks, this is an important initial step in realizing the vision for our Frame Relay offerings, and while Europe continues to experience an increase in the number of installed ISDN-based PBXs, Memotec's CX950 multiservice access solution will unequivocally exceed the demand for quality analog and, in the future, digital voice features over a simplified network topology."

Multiservice Convergence Solutions with BRI QSIG Support

Memotec's CX950 breaks new ground for multiservice convergence solutions, capable of integrating analog and digital compressed voice, video, legacy data, and LAN traffic over a choice of WAN services, including - ATM, Frame Relay, IP and ISDN. A converged infrastructure allows network managers to eliminate expensive dedicated ISDN-based voice lines and significantly increase bandwidth efficiency by using voice compression over Frame Relay. The CX950's added support of ISDN/QSIG on BRI connectivity allows PBXs in small remote offices to be interconnected over a choice of packet technologies (ATM, IP and Frame Relay) with Memotec's superior voice quality using ACELPII algorithm.

"Europe is one of Memotec's key, strategic markets," said Joe Mangiocavallo, Product Marketing manager at Memotec. "QSIG is a requirement for future voice interoperability and has global acceptance as a private networking protocol. Memotec's CX950 Access Switch can interconnect PBXs over a choice of services such as ATM, IP, Frame Relay and ISDN, allowing enterprise customers and service providers to significantly minimize their communication costs."

Complete ISDN Solution

Today, enterprise networks can enjoy any-to-any connectivity using a choice of CX products. By implementing a converged network for both data and voice, organizations can interconnect their ISDN- based PBX's using the CX950 Access Switch with BRI support for small locations and the CX1000e Multi-Port Access Switch with PRI support for larger locations. With Memotec's ISDN QSIG transparent feature support in the CX series, ISDN and QSIG messages can be passed transparently end-to-end. Memotec continues to develop its support for QSIG BRI and PRI, securing future supplementary services to be networked across Frame Relay, IP and ATM networks.

About the CX950 - Robust, Scaleable Solution With Increased Density

The CX950 is designed with built-in flexibility and is a high- performance RISC-based solution providing central and branch offices with the capacity to incorporate today's technologies with those of tomorrow. The CX950 introduces higher density capabilities with an eight-slot base unit and a choice of 17 interface modules, including - ATM, Frame Relay and ISDN WAN modules, Token Ring, Ethernet 10BaseT and Fast Ethernet 100BaseT LAN modules, serial interface modules, analog and digital ISDN BRI voice compression modules, and a wide selection of integrated module solutions such as 56K/64K DSU and T1/E1 CSU/DSU. As a multiservice access concentrator, the CX950 provides a lowered cost of ownership, using the same interface modules as Memotec's award- winning CX900e Access Switch. The CX950, however, is more than an access device - it can also be used as a high performance, low-cost Frame Relay switch in private networks.

About Memotec

Memotec Communications Inc. is an industry-leading provider of data, voice and video convergence solutions for telecommunications carriers, ISPs and corporate customers. The Company's product line of access devices and edge switches provides consolidation of multiservice traffic over packet-based and cell-based networks such as Frame Relay, IP and ATM. Memotec has a distribution network extending to over 50 countries. Common shares of Memotec stock are publicly traded on the Montreal Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol MCM. Additional information is available at www.memotec.com.

Memotec is a registered trademark of Memotec Communications Inc. The CX950, CX900e and CX1000e are proprietary trademarks of Memotec Communications Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.