Celerity DSL Loop Qualification System is Awarded Additional Patent

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 18, 2002--

System Accurately Qualifies Lines Using Insertion Loss In the Presence

of Bridged Taps

Teradyne Broadband Test Division, Inc., (NYSE: TER), a leading provider of broadband test solutions, announced today that the Celerity(TM) DSL test system has been awarded a further patent for its unique line qualification testing methodology. Celerity is a CO-based automated loop qualification test system that carries out narrowband measurements including insertion loss, through the existing voice switch test access to accurately pre-qualify lines in mass-volume for broadband DSL service. The patent: "Detecting Faults in Subscriber Telephone Lines", covers the specific methods of predicting the performance characteristics of a mixed gauge copper line in the presence of bridged taps and faults, based on narrowband electrical measurements. These performance characteristics are then used along with expert systems analysis to qualify lines for high-speed data services, including ISDN and DSL. With this latest patent, Teradyne has now has been awarded three patents for its Celerity system's narrowband testing methodology for broadband loop qualification. There are an additional 15 patents pending.

"We are very satisfied with this additional patent as it reinforces the individuality of the Celerity system approach," says Frank Bauer, engineering director. "Trials comparing Celerity results to double-ended measurements on over 2,000 lines with major phone companies on three continents have already verified the technology to be accurate in real network conditions and shown Celerity to add significant value to the existing records qualification systems. This patent just underpins what our customers have already proven - that accurate measured test results augment loop records data enabling more DSL-ready lines to be identified across the network."

Celerity has been field proven in a number of telco trials, highlighting its ability to increase the total number of DSL-ready lines by identifying "false reds" in the following areas:

-   "Facility does not support DSL": Lines that have been incorrectly
    disqualified by the current records-based system as "Facility Does
    Not Support DSL". Celerity test results indicate these are in fact
    `green' lines and can support DSL service.

-   "Missing Records green lines": Where missing data or no loop
    information is available, some lines are categorized as
    non-qualified by the records, but are actually capable of
    supporting DSL. Celerity testing identified these as standard POTS
    lines able to support DSL that can be sold to consumers and small
    businesses.

By finding "green" lines in these two categories, Celerity increases the total population of DSL-ready lines in the network by up to 15% of all lines, providing the opportunity to sell DSL to more subscribers and increase broadband revenues.

The Celerity system performs scheduled and real-time qualification tests to identify faults, load coils, loop length and loss, plus minimum guaranteed speed of each line. Celerity testing detects the presence of line treatment or termination equipment, i.e. DLC, DAML and PBX, enabling it to distinguish DSL-ready POTS lines from loops with equipment and services that prohibit DSL. Celerity has a "learn" facility that identifies all currently active telephone numbers off the switch, ensuring all working POTS lines are tested off the CO. Celerity results can then be used to enhance existing record systems information to provide accurate DSL pre-qualification of the entire network and identify `new lines' for basic residential service and premium business customers.

Celerity is currently on order or deployed on over 25 million lines in BT and Verizon in support of their DSL qualification and provisioning processes. The system accurately qualifies millions of lines in weeks enabling repeatable testing of every line exposed to DSL on a regular basis. The system also extends to maintenance testing of DSL lines, identifying the presence and dispatch location of data affecting faults for the repair call center.

About Teradyne Broadband Test Division

Teradyne Broadband Test Division is a division of Teradyne, Inc (NYSE: TER). The group develops state-of-the-art-testing capabilities that support service provider's goals to sell and deploy more broadband services sooner and improve the efficiency of qualification, provisioning, and customer care for DSL and CATV high speed data networks. Teradyne's 10 years of internet protocol testing experience and industry leading background in layer 1 DSL testing enhances its 30 years experience in providing test systems that support voice customer care for approximately 120 Million voice lines worldwide. Teradyne is the world's largest supplier of automatic test equipment and is also a leading supplier of high performance interconnection systems. The company had sales of $1.4 billion in 2001 and currently employs about 8000 people worldwide. For more information on Teradyne's Broadband Test Products, visit Teradyne at: http://www.teradyne.com/prods/btd/.

“We are very satisfied with this additional patent as it reinforces the individuality of the Celerity system approach”