Kabel NRW selects ECHO and BroadTel Communications for NOCC implementation in major upgrade of its cable network

Cupertino, CA, March 12, 2001 - Echo Broadband (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. in partnership with BroadTel Communications will supply design and implementation services to build Kabel NRW's Network Operations Communication Center (NOCC). This project is part of a major upgrade to be performed by Kabel NRW to the existing cable TV infrastructure to implement a next generation network for voice, video, and data. Scheduled for completion by 2003, this upgraded network will offer high-speed Internet access, video on-demand and IP (Internet Protocol) telephony services to as many as 4.2 million customers in one of Germany's most prosperous regions.

"Building an integrated national communication network takes the support of key suppliers," said Bill Fleming, Network Upgrade Director of KNRW and its parent company Callahan Associates International. "ECHO and BroadTel Communications have experience in building state of the art NOCCs, making them a natural choice to complement other key suppliers already working on building this high performance next generation network."

"We are most excited by yet another opportunity to assist KNRW with the modernization of their network," said Jim Slattery, President & CEO of ECHO. "Our ability to combine knowledge transfer from our current network planning and design role with our understanding of KNRW's commitment to quality operations is sure to deliver an efficient, customer-focused NOCC facility."

"Kabel NRW's decision attests to BroadTel's capability of delivering network design and implementation services for new Integrated Communication Service Providers," said Ricardo Diaz, BroadTel's President and CEO. "Our past experience in design of state of the art NOCCs will provide a superior solution for a customer oriented facility for Kabel NRW."

ECHO is a global team providing broadband technology solutions to fixed and wireless service providers. ECHO has aggressively grown to a team of over 130 dedicated professionals successfully delivering large broadband network upgrade projects in Europe and Asia.

BroadTel is a privately held California company providing next generation broadband solutions with marketing and network service offices in Cupertino and wireless systems in Montreal, Canada. The company provides broadband access system and services to new Integrated Communications Service Providers and existing CLECs providing advanced voice, data and video IP based services.