Acterna's Wireless Instruments Operations unit becomes Willtek Communications following management buy out.

Ismaning, 15 July 2002 - Willtek Communications today launched as a new company following a management buy out of Acterna's Wireless Instruments Operations (WIO).  Bucking the defensive trend in the telecommunications industry, Willtek expects significant growth from its focus and expertise in terminal and air-interface testing equipment for 3G networks.

Willtek is headquartered in Ismaning near Munich, with two major support sites in London and Indianapolis (US).  The main shareholder with 51 percent is Willtech Inc., a Korean engineering company, and strategic partner of the business since 1999. The management and employees of Willtek hold the remaining 49 per cent of company shares.  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Cyrille Damany, former General Manager of Acterna Wireless Networks Division.

"As a result of the radical changes in the telecommunications industry many companies are now concentrating once more on their core business," says Damany.  "We created Willtek Communications from Acterna's division to sharpen our strategic market focus.  Today, we are a flexible, mid-size customer-oriented company, structured to deliver test solutions which contribute to our customers' business objectives and financial success."

Willtek and Acterna will continue to work together closely in the future as a result of a distribution contract. The agreement allows Acterna to distribute certain products and Acterna's local service centres will continue to provide repair and calibrations services for Willtek's large installed base of test equipment.

Willtek invests 20% of its revenue in research and development, with more than 70 engineers worldwide driving forward innovative solutions under the motto "Boosting Wireless Efficiency".  Through this work Willtek expects leadership in the manufacture of terminal and air-interface testing equipment fit for the next generation of wireless networks (3G).

"Our strategic partnership with Willtech and our many years of experience are particularly helpful in enabling us to meet the market requirements for innovative 2.5G and 3G technology", says Matthias Weber, Product Marketing Manager at Willtek Communications.  "As our products are specially geared to suit our customers, our business will prove profitable."