IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Tier-1 US Wireless Operator Selects EXFO's Service Assurance Solution

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EXFO Inc. (Nasdaq:EXFO) (TSX:EXF) announced today that a Tier-1 US wireless operator has selected its BrixNGN service assurance solution for the monitoring of Ethernet backhaul networks.
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EXFO Inc. (Nasdaq:EXFO) (TSX:EXF) announced today that a Tier-1 US wireless operator has selected its BrixNGN service assurance solution for the monitoring of Ethernet backhaul networks.

The initial contract, which covers software and services costs, is in excess of US$1 million, but follow-on orders could reach several millions of dollars.

This wireless operator selected EXFO's multi-service, active and passive monitoring solution mainly because BrixNGN is highly scalable and standards-based, allowing the operator to save tens of millions of dollars on capital and operating expenditures.

Instead of deploying additional hardware at each wireless tower to collect critical key performance indicators (KPIs), the operator can leverage its OAM-compliant demarcation devices (802.1ag and Y1731) with EXFO's service assurance software suite to monitor its Ethernet backhaul network. No human intervention is required on-site.

The complete Brix solution enables operators to continuously collect, correlate, and analyze quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) data throughout the lifecycle of a network — from system turn-up to troubleshooting and to monitoring. Thanks to BrixNGN's multiple reports and comprehensive drill-down capabilities, all levels of users can monitor service quality and performance on a real-time basis.

Used with the Brix solution, EXFO's extensive carrier Ethernet product portfolio, which contains the new Ethernet service testing methodology EtherSAM, (ITU-T Y.156sam), provides operators with a unique approach to turn up and troubleshoot services eight times faster with 100% accuracy. As a result, operators can effectively manage their testing and maintenance operating expenses by eliminating unnecessary truck rolls and significantly reducing human intervention.

"We had already won the confidence of this Tier-1 wireless operator with our Brix solution for VoIP and IMS core monitoring requirements," said Vivian Hudson, Vice-President of EXFO's Service Assurance and Wireless Divisions. "EXFO's multi-play advantage in supporting voice, data and video IP monitoring, both active and passive, on a single platform not only met the customer's cost-saving requirements, but it also simplified the integration of Ethernet backhaul monitoring in its existing operational environment. I believe we exceeded customer requirements on all counts."

About EXFO

Listed on the NASDAQ and TSX stock exchanges, EXFO is among the leading providers of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireless and wireline network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks — from the core to the edge. Key technologies supported include 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Ethernet, OTN, FTTx, and various optical technologies (accounting for an estimated 35% of the portable fiber-optic test market). EXFO has a staff of approximately 1600 people in 25 countries, supporting more than 2000 telecom customers worldwide. For more information, visit .

EXFO Brand Name

The corporate name of the company is EXFO Inc. The company requests that all media outlets and publications use the corporate name ("EXFO Inc.") or abbreviated name ("EXFO") in capital letters for branding purposes. EXFO would like to thank all parties in advance for their cooperation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition. Words such as may, will, expect, believe, anticipate, intend, could, estimate, continue, or the negative or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events and circumstances are considered forward-looking statements. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements due to various factors including our ability to successfully integrate our acquired and to-be-acquired businesses; fluctuating exchange rates; consolidation in the global telecommunications test, measurement and service assurance industry and increased competition among vendors; capital spending levels in the telecommunications industry; concentration of sales; the effects of the additional actions we have taken in response to economic uncertainty (including our ability to quickly adapt cost structures with anticipated levels of business, ability to manage inventory levels with market demand); market acceptance of our new products and other upcoming products; limited visibility with regards to customer orders and the timing of such orders; our ability to successfully expand international operations; the retention of key technical and management personnel; and future economic, competitive, financial and market condition. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments and risks, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Other risk factors that may affect our future performance and operations are detailed in our Annual Report, on Form 20-F, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities commissions. We believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to us, but we cannot assure you that the expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless required by law or applicable regulations, EXFO undertakes no obligation to revise or update any of them to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this document.
 

CONTACT: EXFO Inc. Maryse Brodeur, Media Planner (418) 683-0913, Ext. 3429 maryse.brodeur@EXFO.com Vance Oliver, Manager, Investor Relations (418) 683-0913, Ext. 3733 vance.oliver@EXFO.com