Press Release

Press Releases

Eastwind Communications Launches to Become Key Distributor of Telecommunications Equipment to Value-Added Resellers and Application Developers

- Flagship Partnership Formed With Excel Switching Corporation to Distribute Products to Developers in the U.S. and Europe -

HYANNIS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2005-- Eastwind Communications ( www.eastwindcom.com) today announced that it has commenced operations as a full-service distributor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure equipment to value-added resellers (VARs) and application developers around the globe.

Headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Eastwind has already entered into a distribution agreement with Excel Switching Corporation, a leading provider of carrier-class media gateways, media servers, signaling gateways, and enhanced service platforms. Eastwind will exhibit at the Excel Switching booth (#121) during Fall VON at the Boston Convention Center from September 19-22, 2005.

Eastwind will focus on providing solutions, tools and services to VARs, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), selected OEMs, and small and medium-sized carriers that develop services for their own networks in North America and Europe. Additional distribution agreements with major telecommunications equipment vendors are expected to be announced during the third quarter of calendar year 2005.

Anthony "Tony" Agostinelli, founder of Eastwind, will serve as the company's president. Mr. Agostinelli most recently held the position of vice president, sales and marketing, at Excel Switching Corporation and was VP/General Manager of Excel during the latter half of its ownership under Lucent Technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Co-founder Joseph "Joe" Norton, former director of sales at Excel Switching Corporation will assume the position of vice president, sales, at Eastwind. Mr. Norton has also held senior sales positions with Buehler Inc., Hathaway Corporation, and EG&G and holds a B.S.E.E. from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (formerly known as University of Lowell).

"Eastwind begins its operations with a catalog of products from one of the most respected equipment vendors in the industry - Excel Switching Corporation," said Tony Agostinelli, founder and president, Eastwind Communications. "We look forward to adding additional solutions from leading vendors in the areas of advanced application development tools and world class host development platforms as we further address and support the dynamic needs of telecommunications developers in North America and overseas."

"The founding team at Eastwind has extensive knowledge and understanding of the telecommunications needs of application development channels worldwide," said J.C. Murphy, president, Excel Switching Corporation. "We congratulate Eastwind on its launch as a distributor of Excel products and expect it to rapidly become one of Excel's leading channel partners."

About Eastwind Communications, Inc.
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Eastwind Communications is a leading supplier of hardware and software development platforms for telecommunications VARs, OEMs, Carrier Developers, and ISVs. Additional information can be found at www.eastwindcom.com.

About Excel Switching Corporation
Founded in 1988, Excel Switching Corporation is a leading provider of carrier-class media gateways, media servers, signaling gateways, and enhanced service platforms for original equipment manufacturers, value-added resellers, and service providers. As a profitable company with more than 8,500 systems deployed in more than 80 countries, Excel addresses carrier needs for profitable applications by delivering a family of platforms that bridge fixed, mobile, and IP networks, thereby lowering costs, improving call quality, and simplifying network operations. By working closely with its partners, Excel supplies service providers with highly reliable, localized solutions designed to meet their immediate and future needs. For more information, visit www.ExcelSwitching.com.

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Press Contacts

Eastwind Communications, Inc:
Tony Agostinelli, 508-862-8603
tagostonelli@eastwindcom.com

Excel Switching Corporation:
Geoff Spillane, 508-862-3091
gspillane@ExcelSwitching.com