Santera Systems Names Telecom Veterans to Executive Team.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2002

Executive Appointments Further Strengthen Position as Leader in

Next-Generation Solutions

Santera Systems Inc., a leading provider of now and next-generation switching solutions, announced the appointment of three telecommunications veterans with a breadth of knowledge from Alcatel and Lucent to the executive team.

Claire Lewis-Martin has joined the company as Vice President, Marketing. Lewis-Martin will support the company's external and internal business objectives through branding, advertising, media relations, market analysis, direct and in-direct marketing programs, customer events and product marketing. Lewis-Martin joins Santera from Alcatel where she served as vice president of marketing for Alcatel USA and was part of the Global Marketing Board of Alcatel Corporation worldwide.

Tim Mutter has been promoted to Vice President, Global Sales, where he will direct and manage sales of the company's integrated next-generation switching platform, SanteraOne. Mutter brings a comprehensive sales background in working with major carriers in deploying network infrastructure. Prior to joining Santera in 2001, Mutter spent 16 years with Alcatel USA, most recently serving as the vice president of sales with responsibility for the IOC and Sprint Organizations. He also spent six years as the regional sales director for Alcatel USA.

John Slevin has been named Vice President, Program Management. Slevin will manage strategic planning, financial analysis, marketing and product development of Santera's emerging market opportunities, including Santera's international presence. Prior to Santera, Slevin was the General Manager for Lucent Technologies' Broadband Fiber Access division where he was responsible for P&L, strategy, marketing and development of solutions for high-speed services over cable and fiber access networks.

"Much of Santera's success can be attributed to its seasoned executive team, which has unmatched industry knowledge. Our newest additions are proven experts that bring both industry knowledge and a wealth of experience," said David Heard, Santera president and chief executive officer. "This team has the capability to energize and focus the industry on Santera, one of the few bright spots for an industry in turmoil.

As part of the reorganization, Scott Weidenfeller has been named Vice President, Business Development, where he will be responsible for directing and overseeing all partnership and strategic business initiatives for Santera. With more than 20 years of telecommunications experience, Weidenfeller provides a comprehensive background of sales, marketing, product management, R&D and support of leading-edge technologies. Before joining Santera, Weidenfeller helped to build startup company Network Access Corporation into the leading provider of adjunct platforms to the Bell Operating Companies for equal access, CLASS and other functionality on legacy switching systems. Weidenfeller also held numerous executive sales positions for Nortel Networks.

About Santera

Santera Systems Inc., located in Plano, Texas, offers a carrier-class next-generation switch with both trunk and line functionality, enabling true circuit to packet migration. In its core applications of enhanced voice switching, integrated voice and data switching, and voice over broadband, Santera delivers significant capital and operating cost efficiencies of 50 to 70 percent. The founding pioneers of next-generation companies Cascade, Shasta, Ardent, and Arris created Santera Systems in 1998. More information can be obtained at www.santera.com or by calling either 972-461-6300 or toll free 1-866-519-9000.

About SanteraOne

SanteraOne is a carrier-grade integrated voice and data switching solution delivering key applications such as full feature IXC Tandem, Class 4/5, PRI Offload, packet/cell switching and Voice over Broadband (VoB) services all on a single platform. SanteraOne has both circuit (TDM) and packet fabrics and supports all of the regulatory requirements of a legacy system (including LNP, CALEA and E911) enabling a graceful migration from traditional circuit-based networks to next generation packet-based technology such as ATM, Frame Relay & IP. SanteraOne is comprised of the Open Feature Exchange (OFX), which includes a media gateway controller, signaling gateway and an applications server; the SanteraOne Broadband Office Exchange (BoX), which is a high-density media gateway; and the SanteraOne element management system (NetScan) that delivers common GUI-based management of the complete system.