NEXEN 8000 Overview
Nexion Acquisition Fact Sheet

[NEXEN 8000 Overview]

Nexion's flagship product, the NEXEN 8000, is a high-performance, integrated services switch designed for network service providers. Through its powerful combination of ATM-enabled core services, the NEXEN 8000 supports existing network services such as frame relay and circuit services and new network services such as internetworking, cell relay and multiservice switching. By integrating different and diverse traffic types into a robust, unified network, existing applications and new networked applications (including the World Wide Web, video-based applications, image retrieval and distributed computing) are delivered seamlessly.

The NEXEN 8000 features the industry's first implementation of Real Time Cell Flow Processing, an intelligent cell-by-cell processing technique. This unique approach enables the NEXEN 8000 to deliver controlled network connections that meet a broad range of specific quality of service (QoS) requirements, from statistical to deterministic. In addition, Real Time Cell Flow Processing allows the NEXEN 8000 to achieve higher levels of network transmission utilization, up to 100 percent, while ensuring individual QoS parameters.

Tiered Services:

Telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers are eager to differentiate their network offerings. The NEXEN 8000 delivers this capability with its tiered services feature. It enables network service providers to broaden their network service portfolio by creating QoS-differentiated, tiered services. Tiered services let network service providers differentiate their offerings to segment existing markets and create new markets. It allows networks to economically serve a broader range of end-user applications such as simple e-mail, advanced data services, voice and video. By segmenting the networking service market, network service providers can expand revenue opportunities. Services can be priced according to the delivered QoS, with a premium for those with the highest QoS and a discount for qualities of services.

Tiered services also deliver a powerful competitive weapon. Network service providers can change the rules of competition. They can compete with wider service offerings that satisfy more end-user application requirements. For example, the NEXEN 8000 with tiered services sets a new industry standard for high-speed frame relay switches. It also enables them to improve economic efficiency and lower their network operating costs.

Multiple Network Services:

Rather than overlay separate, diverse networks, the NEXEN 8000 supports multiple services on a single physical network. Through the integration of network services, network service providers can dramatically reduce the costs of supporting network infrastructure while ensuring full utilization of the network.

[Nexion Acquisition Fact Sheet]

Effective date: The transaction to purchase Nexion is scheduled to close by the end of May, subject to certain government approvals.

Purchase price: $130 million Nexion background: Headquartered in Acton, Mass. Began in 1993 as a division of Ascom Timeplex, Inc., with funding from Ascom Holding A.G., a Swiss telecommunications company. It was incorporated in March 1995. Founder, president and CEO is Bruce McClure. Nexion has about 180 employees.

Why Fujitsu chose Nexion: Nexion has ready ATM switch technology that leaps ahead of the offerings of other manufacturers. Fujitsu did not want to enter the market merely with a "me-too" product.

Fujitsu's plans: Nexion will operate as a subsidiary, based in Acton. We see no reduction in the number of U.S.-based jobs and anticipate growing Nexion for further ATM product development.

Nexion's product: Nexion developed the NEXEN 8000, a multiservice ATM switch which serves as a platform for deployment of new carrier services. It provides three to five times the efficiency of the products of current competitors. Its strengths are in its bandwidth utilization efficiencies and in its mechanisms that allow service providers to craft new services by selecting levels of delay, throughput and cell loss.

Product availability: The NEXEN 8000 Release 1 for customer evaluation is expected by June, with Release 2 commercial availability expected in March 1998.

For more information contact:

Kevin Tanzillo, Fujitsu, (972) 479-2055
k_tanzillo@fujitsu-fnc.com
or
Greg Wortman, Fujitsu, (972) 479-7726
g_wortman@fujitsu-fnc.com
or
John Stewart, Nexion, (508) 266-3463
stewart@nexen.com