Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited (Fujitsu), the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, has entered into an initial 4-year sales, marketing and management agreement with Porta Systems Corp. (AMEX:PSI), of Syosset, NY, USA. The agreement represents opportunities in the region of £31 million over the next four years, with Fujitsu selling and marketing Porta Systems' advanced line test and associated technologies to telecom service operators in UK and Europe.

Under this agreement, Porta Systems' line test equipment includes the company's Single Ended Line Qualification System, used for pre-qualifying the viability of broadband delivery over copper networks, as well as the sixth-generation Sherlock remote test unit. Peter Smith, Director, Line Test Systems of Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited, commented:
"We are clearly demonstrating our commitment to customers by this agreement with Porta Systems, ensuring that lines are pre-qualified for broadband capability. This requirement is in line with the introduction of Broadband services over the existing copper access infrastructure, which will greatly increase its value to the network operator. This value can only be fully realised if the line test systems can pre-qualify the lines. With this agreement, we are recognising Porta Systems' market superiority, offering the best technical solution for this application."

Mr William Carney, Chairman and Chief Executive, Porta Systems, said:
"Fujitsu's long-term strategic relationship with telecom service operators was the missing key that Porta needed to develop further our sales potential in other markets. Additionally, Fujitsu's highly identifiable brand name will allow Porta to establish new opportunities unavailable to us in the past."

Porta Systems' Single-Ended Line Qualification System (SELQ) incorporates a new design of measurement test head. This is capable of highly accurate frequency testing and sensitive level measurements, and is controlled by a central computer that handles the routing and mapping of the remote test heads. The computer also drives the remote testing operation, utilising proprietary algorithms to calculate a wide range of line parameters. A Rules Engine interprets the parameters and provides an accurate despatch statement regarding the line capability. All SELQ data is stored in an industry-standard database, allowing access and interrogation from a network operator's Operations Support Systems.

Currently employing over 1,100 staff around Europe, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe is a strategic division of Fujitsu Telecommunications of Japan - one of the world's largest communications equipment suppliers. Fujitsu's customer base includes wide-ranging contracts across the breadth of modern telecommunications networks. Focused on providing strategic end-to-end solutions, Fujitsu offers a complete turnkey service - from project planning, community liaison, cable laying and civil engineering, to the complete installation, implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Headquartered in Birmingham, UK, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe has extensive research and development facilities and also operates as part of Fujitsu's global manufacturing resource. The company has a long-established track record for product and service innovation, with extensive expertise in the field of leading edge optical transmission and telecommunications switching technology. This ranges from the development of the most advanced Photonic Network Solutions; to Passive Optical Networks; Fibre Access Systems; Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks; Advanced Switching Systems; Radio Access Systems and IP Applications; in addition to its TMN-compliant Network Management Systems.

The OSS Division of Porta has been developing technology solutions to improve telecommunications networks for the last 30 years. Systems provided by Porta ensure communications, manage voice and data access for telecommunications companies in over 40 countries world-wide, with an embedded base of over 57,000,000 lines, and provide technologies to help telecommunications companies make the most of their physical plants.

Porta Systems Corporation, with customers in over 40 countries, designs, manufactures, markets and supports communication equipment and software used in telecommunications, video and data networks world-wide.

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