New Router From ZyXEL Combines Wireless LAN and 4-Port Switch to Address Needs of Telecommunications and Internet Service Providers.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SUPERCOMM 2002

ZyXEL Booth# 11809

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2002

ZyXEL Communications today announced the Prestige 650HW, an ADSL router that integrates a 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch with wireless LAN functionality in a single product, at Supercomm, the world's premier annual communications and information technology exhibition and conference.

As service providers continue to strengthen their offerings to address the burgeoning market for high speed broadband access, cost- effective, streamlined solutions that deliver high performance while reducing installation time and call center costs have become a prerequisite for expanding their customer base.

ZyXEL's new Prestige 650HW was designed as a response to these market requirements and combines a router/modem, 4-port switch and wireless access point into a single product.

Anticipating that telcos and ISPs may also require built-in security for small office/home office (SOHO) and small-to-medium-sized business (SMB) customers, the new Prestige 650HW can accommodate customized requirements, including an ICSA certified module for integrated VPN firewall protection. The product's high-powered CPU provides the processing capability to expand the unit as needed.

The Prestige 650HW integrates a wireless LAN onto its 4-port ADSL router, providing the features of a modem/router and hub with the added benefit of wireless Internet access. The wireless access allows users the flexibility of mobility in their workspace at the office or in the home environment.

"Fulfilling the need for three separate devices with one integrated unit is an extremely effective solution for service providers addressing the SOHO and SMB markets where practicality of servicing the customer is a driving force," said Munira Brooks, vice president of sales and marketing at ZyXEL. "The Prestige 650HW removes the hassle of interoperability between multiple devices."

The Prestige 650HW provides high-speed ADSL Internet access over existing copper wires. Incorporating ZyXEL's first-in-the-world PPPoE implementation, the Prestige 650HW enables service providers and users to make use of existing PPP/PAP/CHAP-based authentication and accounting infrastructure.

The pre-configured factory settings benefit both the service provider and their customers by eliminating the time and technical expertise required for installation. With an embedded Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) and System Management Terminal (SMT), configuration is made easy for the user while saving time and technical support costs for the service provider.

As an ADSL modem/router the Prestige 650HW has many of the features that are essential to the SMB or SOHO environment. The auto-sensing 10/100 switch complies to multi-mode ADSL standards of G.dmt and G.lite, provides transparent bridging and NAT/SUA and DHCP Client.

The wireless LAN solution offers quick and easy access to traditional wired Ethernet LANs in the office or home. Allowing up to 890 feet of wireless access and seamless roaming within IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN infrastructure, most SMB or SOHO offices can be configured for wireless access using just one Prestige 650HW.

With performance features such as DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) and security provided through WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), the Prestige 650HW is a robust broadband access solution.

Price and Availability

With a manufacturer's list price of $499, the Prestige 650HW will be available through ZyXEL's major distributor and reseller partners in late July. The product will also be available for purchase online at www.zyxel.com.

About ZyXEL

ZyXEL Communications Inc., with U.S. headquarters in Placentia, Calif., is one of the world's foremost suppliers of broadband networking and Internet connectivity and routing products.

ZyXEL is focused on developing xDSL, cable access, VoDSL, VoIP, broadband-sharing and wireless solutions for a large target audience including telcos, cable operators, ISPs, small-to-medium-sized businesses, SOHO and institutional MxU (multi-tenant unit/multi- dwelling unit) markets.

ZyXEL also manufactures the highly successful ZyWALL family of security solution products for individual to enterprise users. Some of ZyXEL's largest customers include: Sprint, Time Warner, Earthlink, Chunghwa Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Telefonica Brazil, Telia, Verizon and many others. For more information on ZyXEL Communications and its broadband solutions, visit the company's Web site at http://www.zyxel.com.