Spirent Communications Provides DSL Testing Component for IBM Service Provider Delivery Environment

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2002

"Best in Class" Chosen for Delivery of Flexible Integrated Offerings

for Telecommunications Service Providers

Spirent Communications, a wholly owned business group of Spirent plc (NYSE:SPM)(LSE:SPT) today announced it will provide the DSL testing component of IBM's Service Provider Delivery Environment (SPDE)(TM), an open standards-based framework designed to give telecommunications service providers flexible, easy-to-deploy Internet-based services.

Spirent is currently working with IBM in their Network Innovation Laboratory (NIL) in Atlanta, Ga., to create a demonstration system that enables DSL turn-up from order taking to circuit testing. The NIL demonstrates real-world service management processes, including customer relationship management, order management and provisioning, circuit testing and billing for managed IP broadband services. Spirent's REACT(TM) remote test operations support system (OSS) and Flow(TM) workflow management OSS are linked to the IBM WebSphere(TM) environment for complete automation of circuit testing, including availability and quality of service.

The agreement builds upon a ten-year-long existing relationship between the two vendors. Spirent is an IBM Business Partner, reselling IBM eServer(1) pSeries(2) systems in support of Spirent's REACT, Flow, Perform and Sentry OSSs for the telecommunications service provider community.

"IBM has selected Spirent's test system, the most deployed solution for remote telecom network testing worldwide, to enable the automated flowthrough of DSL circuits, helping service providers offer revenue-generating services faster," said Jim Schleckser, president of Spirent Communications' Service Assurance Broadband Division, which produces REACT. "IBM is addressing a true market need by offering an integrated telecom OSS solution, and Spirent is excited to be a part of this initiative to offer more choices to service providers."

Added David Ritcey, executive and manager of IBM's Atlanta NIL and IBM Telecommunications Industry, "Our work with Spirent is an important significant addition to the extensive portfolio of relationships IBM Software Group and IBM Global Services maintains with global vendors. These combined efforts are helping independent software vendors like Spirent create a broad range of multifunction services for providers across the telecommunications industry."

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications is a worldwide provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems for next-generation network technologies. Spirent's solutions accelerate the profitable development and deployment of network equipment and services by emulating real-world conditions in the lab and assuring end-to-end performance of large-scale networks. www.spirentcom.com

Spirent Communications is a wholly owned business group of Spirent plc, an international network technology company. Spirent plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker:SPT). The company is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker:SPM; CUSIP number: 84856M209). www.spirent.com

(1) The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business

logo with the descriptive term "server" following it.

(2) IBM, SPDE and pSeries are trademarks of IBM Corporation.

Note to Editors: Spirent, Spirent Communications and the Spirent logo are trademarks of Spirent plc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are held by their respective companies. All rights reserved.

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