Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 02:38:16 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.4 Last-Modified: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 18:04:35 GMT ETag: "14c0-331c-3460b533" Content-Length: 13084 Accept-Ranges: bytes Connection: close Content-Type: text/html TOTAL TEL BROADENS MOBILE MARKET WITH STRATUS-BASED PREPAID PHONE SERVICE
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TOTAL TEL BROADENS MOBILE MARKET WITH STRATUS-BASED PREPAID PHONE SERVICE

Marlboro, Mass., September 29, 1997 - Australian telecommunications provider Total Tel Limited together with major carrier, Network Vodafone, has launched Australia's first prepaid mobile phone service. Designed to attract a previously neglected market segment, Total Tel PrePaid Mobile is implemented using a continuously available server system from Stratus Computer, Inc.

The innovative nationwide offering targets those who are unable or do not desire to sign a standard postpaid mobile contract. This fast-growing market includes the estimated 20,000 Australians who are turned away each month due to unsatisfactory credit.

The new service does away with credit checks, contracts, and monthly bills. Customers simply purchase a Total Tel PrePaid Mobile Starter Pack providing a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a mobile phone number, prepaid outbound calls, and unlimited inbound calls for 12 months. Compatible with any digital mobile phone, the SIM connects users with the GSM network operated by Network Vodafone.

Total Tel expects that 100,000 Australians will opt for a PrePaid Mobile Starter Pack in its first year on the market. According to Peter McMillan, Total Tel's Director of International Business, sales are currently outpacing these projections. Well over 10,000 Starter Packs have been activated so far.

Prepaid mobile has been introduced in the UK, the US, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, and other countries worldwide over the past year. This pay-as-you-go service has proven extremely popular everywhere. In Italy alone, some 1.5 million subscribers currently use prepaid mobile services.

Sophisticated Call Handling and Account Processing
The Total Tel service relies on custom-created technology that is fully integrated within Vodafone's exchange. It incorporates a "front-end" call-handling and voice-processing system from Steadycom Pty. Limited and a database server residing on a fault-tolerant Stratus® Continuum® Series 425 computer. Application software was developed by Cooee Phone Company (a major shareholder in Total Tel Ltd.).

Linked directly to Vodafone's mobile switching center, the front-end technology provides vital call processing, call routing, and interactive voice response capabilities. A TCP/IP connection over a fully redundant 100MB Ethernet link allows for split-second interchange of customer account information with the Stratus server.

When a customer dials a number, the Continuum database is instantly queried as to account validity and how much connect time remains on the prepaid account. As the call proceeds, the system performs real-time monitoring of the customer's credit. The front-end voice system can send special tones to let the customer know how many call minutes have been consumed, or warning tones as the credit runs down.

The system also enables customers to check on their account balances whenever they wish by dialing a four-digit number from their mobile phones. A recorded voice message announces the current account balance.

Continuously Available Carrier-Grade Service
Mr. McMillan stressed the importance of uninterrupted availability for these vital call handling and account processing functions. "Because our equipment is installed within Vodafone's exchange, we needed a carrier-grade solution that would deliver the same high quality that customers expect from other Vodafone services," he said. "If the system goes down, calls will not be put through correctly, or customer call charges will not be processed accurately. So absolute reliability was a must. After looking at several vendors' fault-tolerant products, it was clear that the Stratus Continuum was our best choice."

Total Tel had initially considered software-based, "high availability" redundancy schemes. But these were rejected because of their complex, time-intensive coding requirements. "We were operating on a tight schedule and didn't want to get bogged down in a protracted development effort that might cause us to miss the market," Mr. McMillan said.

Mike Summerfield, Stratus' Manager of Telecommunications Sales for Australia and New Zealand, said the Continuum platform gives Total Tel both a cost-effective immediate solution and flexible options for future growth.

"The Continuum 425 delivers all the power and performance they need right now - at entry-level pricing. As the service's popularity grows and the system's current capacity is exceeded, Total Tel can easily upgrade to a more powerful Continuum processor, or they can connect additional 400 Series systems in a cluster configuration. They could even put another Continuum system 500 miles away in Sydney for geographical load sharing and redundancy in case of an emergency," Mr. Summerfield said.

Technology and Business "Partnership"
Stratus has worked closely with Total Tel from the project's inception, providing technical support and helping the service provider explore new business opportunities. As members of the technical team, Stratus database and performance specialists based in the US as well as Australia played a key role in activities such as prototyping, benchmark testing, quality assurance, and installation and implementation. Their participation helped the team complete system development within an extraordinarily short three-month timeframe.

"When it comes to technical support, Stratus has been far more than a vendor. They've been a true partner," Mr. McMillan said. On the business side, Stratus is supporting Total Tel's efforts to offer similar Continuum-based prepaid mobile services in additional markets. The computer company is sharing contact information and helping open doors to new Total Tel business opportunities across Asia. "Telecommunications industry players throughout this region recognize Stratus' position as a leader in continuously available solutions," Mr. McMillan said. "We certainly see this business relationship as a positive for our company."

Total Tel's future plans include migrating to a Stratus-based intelligent network (IN) platform. This would enable carriers to realize immediate revenue by implementing prepaid mobile today, then cost-effectively deliver additional IN-based subscriber services to meet new marketplace demands tomorrow, Mr. McMillan said.

About Total Tel and Stratus
Total Tel Limited is an Australian-owned telecommunications company specializing in prepaid mobile phone services. The company has been formed by executives from Unidial Australia, a major phonecard supplier. Based in Melbourne, Total Tel has developed the technology to handle the real-time processing of all customer accounts, enabling it to offer the first seamless, prepaid mobile product in Australia.

Based in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Stratus Computer, Inc. (NYSE:SRA) is the premier supplier of computer systems and services where continuous availability is a critical need. Stratus and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of continuously available computer platforms, application software, middleware, and professional services. The company markets its systems and solutions to a range of industries in more than 60 countries. Stratus posted revenue of $609.3 million in fiscal year 1996. For more information, see Stratus on the Internet at http://www.stratus.com.

Stratus Contact:

Lynette Gutcho
Stratus Computer, Inc.
Tel: 508-490-6430
Fax: 508-485-6603
email: lynette_gutcho@stratus.com


Editors Note: Stratus, the Stratus logo, and Continuum are registered trademarks of Stratus Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


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