Excel Switching Corporation is returning to its roots as an independent supplier of carrier-class, open services platforms for communications networks. The company offers a Converged Services Platform that is used to deliver carrier applications such as RBOC voice mail services, pre-paid calling cards, tandem/international gateway switching, multiparty audio conferencing, media server and advanced directory assistance services. The platform is designed to bridge traditional circuit switched networks with next-generation IP networks in either wireline or wireless environments. More than 7,000 CSP systems have been deployed throughout the world. The company will be based in Hyannis, Massachusetts and has 160 employees.
Lucent Technologies acquired Excel Switching in 1999 and since then has operated the business as a division of its OPENet Business unit. As part of its strategic corporate shift towards a smaller, in-house product portfolio, Lucent is selling its Excel division to an investor group led by Soros Private Equity Investors and Oak Investment Partners. Lucent and Excel have entered into a worldwide OEM agreement under which Lucent will act as a sales channel for Excel's products. Lucent will not retain an equity interest in Excel Switching. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Also as part of the deal, Airslide Systems, a start-up developing solutions for signaling over IP networks, will merge into Excel Switching Corporation. Marc Zionts, former president and CEO of Airslide, will serve as Excel's CEO. Airslide's CFO, Bruce Albelda, will be Excel Switching's CFO. J.C. Murphy, former vice president and General Manager of the Excel division under Lucent, has been named Excel Switching's president.
http://www.xl.com
- In August 1999, Lucent Technologies acquired Excel Switching Corp., a developer of programmable switches, for about $1.7 billion in stock (equivalent to $37 per Excel share).
