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Siemens Announces New Global R&D Unit

Posted on: Thursday, 9 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

DALLAS, and MUNICH, Germany, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Information and Communication Networks, a division of Siemens AG , announces a new global unit called Siemens Subscriber Networks. The new organization is an independent business unit within the Siemens Information and Communication Networks group headquartered in Germany. Siemens Subscriber Networks is comprised of four research and development centers in Dallas, San Jose, Brussels and Zurich. The Dallas center will be the global headquarters and center of competency of Siemens Subscriber Networks. It will also be the headquarters of Siemens Subscriber Networks, Inc., the new name for Efficient Networks, Inc., the CPE leader acquired by Siemens Corporation in 2001.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021029/SILOGO )

Siemens Subscriber Networks is responsible for the development and marketing of Siemens broadband CPE solutions on a global basis. It is Siemens' worldwide center of competency for broadband solutions, leveraging the success and leadership of Efficient Networks and its flagship portfolio of SpeedStream(R) modems and routers.

Siemens broadband CPE solutions will be sold via worldwide sales channels in 160 countries. The target market for these residential and business CPE solutions is incumbent and competitive carriers, value-added resellers, and Internet service providers around the world. This approach leverages Siemens' existing customer base within these same market segments.

The broadband market is among the fastest growing technology markets in the world. In the first quarter of 2003, more new DSL lines were added than in any previous quarter, according to the research firm Top Point Ltd. In the United States, in the 12-month period ending June 2003, the number of broadband users (including cable and DSL) in the United States grew by 43 percent to 18 million users, according to the research firm RHK Inc.

"With this move we are addressing head-on the market's demand for innovative, broadband solutions that meet the needs of a diverse, global market," said Paul Reitmeier, president of Siemens Subscriber Networks, Inc. "By leveraging the established Siemens sales channel, we enjoy the best of both worlds: We are able to maintain the innovative spirit and drive of a start-up while having access to a well-developed, global sales organization."

Siemens broadband CPE portfolio includes voice and data access solutions for both small to mid-sized businesses and consumers. Siemens Subscriber Networks also provides network management systems that extend from the core of carriers' networks to the subscribers' desktops. The latest additions to the SpeedStream portfolio are the SpeedStream DSL Gateway Family, announced in July. The family includes a gateway combining a DSL modem with 802.11g (WiFi) wireless networking technology in a single box and a gateway combining DSL access with 802.11g wireless and powerline networking technologies.

About Siemens

Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. Siemens and its subsidiaries employ 426,000 people in 190 countries and reported worldwide sales of $77.8 billion in fiscal 2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02). The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with 11 of Siemens' worldwide businesses headquartered here and annual sales of $21.5 billion in fiscal 2002. The Siemens companies in the U.S. employ approximately 70,000 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: http://www.usa.siemens.com/.

About Siemens Information and Communication Networks Group

Siemens Information and Communication Networks Group is a leading provider of network and applications technology for enterprises, carriers and service providers. ICN's product strategy is focused on next-generation switching, next-generation access, and next-generation optics. ICN's flagship brands are HiPath for enterprises, SURPASS for carriers, and SpeedStream for business and residential broadband customer premise equipment. With more than one million customers in 160 countries, ICN posted sales of $8.9 billion globally in fiscal year 2002 (year-end 30 September 2002).

Forward Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate,""believe,""estimate,""forecast,""expect,""intend,""plan,""should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SpeedStream is a registered trademark of Efficient Networks, Inc.