Westell Introduces eCellPak™ Enclosure System for Delivering Ethernet in Wireless Backhaul

eCellPak™ allows service providers to easily transition backhaul from T1 to Ethernet

AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL) (“Westell”), a leading provider of broadband products, outside plant telecommunications equipment and conferencing services, today announced the release of its eCellPak™, a next-generation weather-tight enclosure system that is optimized and designed for rapid installation and activation of both Ethernet and DS1 services in the cellular backhaul market. The eCellPak is the latest addition to Westell’s expanding eSmartAccess™ Ethernet family of products for transitioning wireless backhaul from T1 to Ethernet.

The eCellPak has all of the same features and environmentally hardened attributes that telco operators are accustomed to in Westell’s approved and field-deployed CellPak® enclosure system, plus key features such as support for Westell’s “SiteVu™ Secure” telemetry system, fiber management and provisions for Ethernet protection, making this a flexible, easy-to-use, Ethernet-ready enclosure.

“Because telco operators require a solution that meets their varying Ethernet roll-out plans, the eCellPak has been designed to support multiple technologies,” said Brian Powers, Senior Vice President of Westell’s OSPlant Systems Division. “Operators can deliver DS1 services from the eCellPak today and transition in the future to additional transport options, such as native Ethernet delivery, DS1 over Ethernet (CESoE) and Ethernet over Copper Bonding (EoCu).”

Ethernet services are supported by installing Westell’s new fiber- or copper-fed eSmartJack™ Ethernet network interface devices (E-NIDs), a 400-type industry standard plug-in circuit pack. For maximum flexibility, a mix of Ethernet eSmartJacks and Westell’s robust, field-proven T1 SmartJack™ cards for delivering DS1 service can be used simultaneously in the eCellPak. “This is an ideal solution for those carriers that want to use DS1 for voice traffic and Ethernet for data traffic,” said Powers.

With the eSmartJack installed into the eCellPak, the “SiteVu Secure” telemetry system gives operators visibility into Ethernet card temperature, enclosure temperature, enclosure system voltage, network door alarm and customer door alarm. In addition, the eCellPak includes a fiber splice tray and fiber management.

To help operators maintain stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs), the eCellPak is compliant with the Telcordia GR-487 Issue 3, UL-60950 2nd Edition, and CAN/CSA-C222 No.60950-1 certifications for severe outdoor environments. “Hardened equipment is essential for providing high reliability,” said Powers. “The eCellPak has been manufactured to the toughest standards so that telco operators can be assured their Ethernet equipment housed within the eCellPak will consistently deliver the bandwidth the market is demanding.”

About Westell

Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and Conference Plus, Inc. Westell, Inc. designs, distributes, markets and services a broad range of broadband networking equipment, digital transmission products, remote monitoring tools, power distribution equipment, industrial-grade edge switches and demarcation products used by telecommunications service providers, utilities and other enterprises. Conference Plus, Inc. is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting http://www.westell.com and http://www.conferenceplus.com.

Westell Technologies, Inc.
Brian Cooper, 630.375.4740
Chief Financial Officer
bcooper@westell.com

Source: Westell Technologies, Inc.

Released October 3, 2011