The specification for the Line Test Agent follows a joint agreement established in October 2007 between Zarlink and Tollgrade, and is the first step in a development effort to reduce the voice service provider's cost of ownership by integrating test head-like line test within Multiservice Access Nodes and Fiber-To-The-Premise Optical Network Terminals. This joint solution, once generally available, will allow for a much simpler, quicker and cost-friendly line testing environment for next-generation networks. With the platform, service providers will be able to remotely monitor and test the line on a routine basis to detect and repair issues before a customer experiences a problem. This remote functionality eliminates costly truck rolls and shortens the response time to the customer. The result is far lower customer churn rates and dramatic savings on operating expenses.
This specification outlines how Zarlink's test head features will communicate seamlessly with the most widely used voice test and operations system in the world. Tollgrade software is currently embedded on over 280 million access lines worldwide and supports qualification, provisioning and service assurance processes for leading service providers.
The Line Test Agent is being designed to enable next-generation test architectures to extend their embedded signaling and measurement capabilities through the use of the Zarlink chipset, while employing the Tollgrade LoopCare™, 4TEL® and Celerity® test systems.
As carriers continue to revolutionize their networks with a push towards Fixed Mobile Convergence and triple-play offerings, there is a calling for a new class of voice access equipment. This revolution means equipment designers must combine support for in-field operational testing with a high degree of flexibility to meet performance and cost requirements. The Line Test Agent is being designed from the beginning to address these issues and to simplify and consolidate the testing requirements for service providers.
"Built on our well-established collaboration agreement, this Zarlink-Tollgrade Line Test Agent will offer service providers extended measurement along with a 'plug-and-play' interface to the Tollgrade test operating system," said Shahin Sadeghi segment marketing manager for access infrastructure voice products at Zarlink. "Zarlink's VE792 NGCC solution will have test functions that go beyond multimeter capability, incorporating accuracies and detection of line conditions similar to test head performance."
"With Line Test Agent capabilities, service providers will immediately have uniform test performance and coverage as they begin their deployments of next-generation access nodes," said Chris Barton, executive director of marketing at Tollgrade. "This will enable our customers to seamlessly integrate the dispatch and repair process for lines fed from these new network elements."
Tollgrade and Zarlink will both be exhibiting at the Broadband World Forum, September 30 - October 2. Tollgrade in booth 180 and Zarlink in booth 275. Please contact your Tollgrade or Zarlink representative for additional information or to schedule a meeting. The Line Test Agent specification is available under NDA from either Zarlink or Tollgrade.
Editors Note: A demonstration of the VE792 NGCC will be made at Broadband World Forum in Brussels, Belgium, September 30 - October 2; Zarlink booth 275. Please contact Zarlink for additional information.
About Zarlink Semiconductor
For over 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The Company's success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, optoelectronics and ultra low-power communications. For more information, visit www.zarlink.com.
Forward Looking Statement
Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge, copies of the reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Regulatory Authorities, should visit the Company's web site at www.zarlink.com or contact Investor Relations.
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the following: our dependence on the successful development and market introduction of new products; our dependence on revenue generation from our legacy products in order to fund development of our new products; our ability to successfully integrate Legerity and any businesses acquired in the future; any potential undisclosed liabilities associated with the Legerity acquisition; our ability to operate profitably and generate positive cash flows in the future; our dependence on our foundry suppliers and third-party subcontractors; order cancellations and deferrals by our customers; and other factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in this filing.
About Tollgrade
Tollgrade Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of network service assurance products and services for centralized test systems around the world. Tollgrade designs, engineers, markets and supports centralized test systems, test access and status monitoring products, and next generation network assurance technologies for the broadband marketplace. Tollgrade's customers range from the top RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies) and Cable providers, to numerous independent telecom, cable and broadband providers around the world. Tollgrade's network testing, measurement and monitoring solutions support the infrastructure of cable and telecom companies offering current and emerging triple play services. Tollgrade and its products and customer reach span over 300 million embedded access lines, more than any other test and measurement supplier. Tollgrade has European offices in the U.K., Belgium and Germany and U.S. offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information, visit Tollgrade's web site at www.tollgrade.com.
Forward Looking Statement
The foregoing release contains "forward-looking statements" regarding future events or results within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements concerning Tollgrade's current expectations regarding the expected availability date for new products, and our ability to introduce next generation network technologies into existing customer infrastructures and to execute its strategies. Tollgrade cautions readers that such "forward-looking statements" are, in fact, predictions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and that actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Tollgrade disclaims any current intention to update its "forward-looking statements," and the estimates and assumptions within them, at any time or for any reason. In particular, the following factors, among others could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the "forward-looking statements:" (a) the inability to gain market acceptance of our new products within the customer base; (b) the inability to complete or possible delays in completing certain research and development efforts that may be required for product release and general availability; © our dependence upon a limited number of third party subcontractors to manufacture certain aspects of the products we sell, including the products which are the subject of this release; and (d) the inability to make changes in business strategy, development plans and product offerings to respond to the needs of the significantly changing telecommunications markets and network technologies.
Other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those contained in the "forward-looking statements" are included in Tollgrade's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including, but not limited to, Tollgrade's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and any subsequently filed reports. All documents are also available through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system at www.sec.gov or from the Tollgrade website at www.tollgrade.com.
Zarlink and the Zarlink Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.
LoopCare is a trademark and 4TEL and Celerity are registered trademarks of Tollgrade Communications, Inc.
Contacts: Zarlink Ed Goffin 613-270-7112 Email Contact www.zarlink.com Tollgrade Communications, Inc. Bob Butter 412-820-1347 Email Contact
