BusinessWire
March 14, 2006 08:00 AM US Pacific Timezone

Westell Announces New Line of Broadband MediaStations for Network Operators and Content Providers

AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2006--Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WSTL), a leading provider of broadband access products, gateways and conferencing services, today announces its new Broadband MediaStations, a line of interactive home gateway devices that enable service providers and content providers to bundle multiple content and communication services. Westell's Broadband MediaStation product line represents one of the only all-in-one service delivery platforms available in the market today. The new line of Broadband MediaStations will be demonstrated for the first time at TelecomNEXT at exhibit Booth 1249 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Westell's Broadband MediaStations are available in a number of models that integrate broadband home networking and cordless telephony. These units feature a unique color touch-screen interface optimized for the delivery of voice, video and data services -- all without the use of a PC. Hardware and embedded software within each Broadband MediaStation are tightly integrated with the industry-leading Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE.Net(TM) operating system.

Broadband MediaStations offer service providers and content providers a platform that can be easily configured to deliver unique, customized services. By using the Westell Software Developer Kit (SDK), service providers can repurpose existing applications, develop new applications, or leverage one of Westell's application developer partners to deliver their application. The Westell SDK is included as part of the entire commercial engagement.

The initial product in the Broadband MediaStation line, the Westell MediaGateway, was introduced in 2005 and integrates several technologies - including ADSL2+ broadband access, 4-port Ethernet router, 802.11g wireless router, 5.8 Ghz cordless speakerphone, color LCD with touch screen, and a powerful multi-media processing engine. All of this technology is encapsulated into a single high-tech device that is ideally suited for high-use, multi-purpose rooms such as the kitchen, family room or home office.

New to the product line are the Westell MediaGateway AV, the Westell MediaTerminal, and the Westell MediaTerminal AV. The new AV models are built upon a higher speed processor enabling the delivery of high-fidelity audio and high-quality video content.

Both the Westell MediaTerminal and Westell MediaTerminal AV models are designed for customers that already have an existing broadband connection. By using the integrated single-port Ethernet router or 802.11g wireless client, users can easily connect to any broadband network. The Terminal models also include an LCD touch screen display, a built-in speakerphone, and a 5.8 Ghz or DECT cordless handset that is capable of simultaneously supporting both PSTN POTS and VoIP telephony. A video camera option is available on both AV models.

By offering both the Gateway and Terminal versions Westell makes this powerful product line agnostic to the WAN side connection, resulting in an ideal solution for broadband and content / portal providers of all types. "Our newly expanded line of Broadband MediaStations demonstrates Westell's ability and expertise to work closely with partners to develop advanced, customized products for the growing broadband marketplace," said Carl Steen, Westell's Product Line Director. "Westell is providing an exciting opportunity for service providers and content providers around the world to integrate all their communications and content needs into a single 'always-on service delivery' device that does not require a PC," he said.

About Westell

Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and ConferencePlus, Inc. Westell, Inc. manufactures broadband telecommunications access and networking products. ConferencePlus, Inc. is a collaborative Application Service Provider that manages and hosts voice, video, IP applications and back-office services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell's Web site at www.westell.com.

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995:

Certain statements contained herein including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believe," "on track, " "anticipate," "focus," "should," "committed," "expect," "estimate," "await," "continue," "intend," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, need for financing, the economic downturn in the U.S. economy and telecom market, the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product development, excess and obsolete inventory due to new product development, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the effect of Westell's accounting policies, the need for additional capital, the effect of economic conditions and trade, legal social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions) and other risks more fully described in Westell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 under the section "Risk Factors." Westell undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.