Deloitte & Touche Recognizes Tekelec as One of Los Angeles Area's Fastest-Growing Technology Companies(email this article)

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2003--Tekelec (Nasdaq: TKLC - News) (Company Profile, Past Stories, Case Studies), a leading developer of telecommunication switching and signaling products for fixed, mobile, and next-generation networks, has been named to Deloitte & Touche's prestigious Los Angeles Technology Fast 50 program. Deloitte & Touche ranks the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the area based on the percentage of growth in fiscal revenues over five years, from 1998-2002. Tekelec, which ranked 45th this year by achieving a five-year growth in revenues of 114 percent, has received the award four times.

"It's an honor to be included again in this prestigious program," commented Fred Lax, Tekelec CEO and president. "Tekelec has continued to perform well and expand globally during a period that has been very difficult for many telecom carriers and suppliers. In fact, the company's revenues have increased year over year to $260 million last year in a market that is declining some 15 to 20 percent."

Lax continued, "The success is due to the company's dedicated and exceptional professional team that leverages technology in meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We strive to continue to perform well and grow by building on the core signaling technology the company offers; enhancing and expanding next-generation switching solutions; and expanding globally."

Gary Dickey, partner in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group, Deloitte & Touche, added, "In today's economy, triple-digit percentage growth is an exceptional accomplishment. We commend Tekelec for making the commitment to technology and delivering on the promise of market longevity. We are proud to honor Tekelec as a Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 winner."

To qualify for the Technology Fast 50, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 1998 and $1 million in 2002; must be public or private companies with headquarters in North America; and must be a "technology company" defined as owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues and/or devoting a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology.

Winners of the 20 regional Technology Fast 50 programs in the United States and Canada are automatically entered in the Deloitte & Touch Technology Fast 500 program, which ranks North America's top 500 fastest-growing technology companies. For more information on the Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 or Fast 500 programs, visit www.fast500.com.

About Tekelec

Tekelec is a leading developer of telecommunications signaling and switching solutions, packet-telephony infrastructure, network monitoring technology, and value-added applications. Tekelec's innovative solutions are widely deployed in traditional and next-generation wireline and wireless networks and contact centers worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located in Calabasas, California, with research and development facilities and sales offices throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com.

About Deloitte & Touche

Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, provides assurance and advisory, tax, and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 U.S. cities. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, Deloitte & Touche has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" by Fortune magazine for six consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche refers to Deloitte & Touche LLP and related entities. Deloitte & Touche is the U.S. national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte & Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity. For more information, please visit Deloitte & Touche's website at www.deloitte.com/us.

The Tekelec logo, EAGLE, G-Flex, G-Port, and IP7 are registered trademarks of Tekelec. GenuOne, Sentinel, TekServer, and TekWare are trademarks of Tekelec. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.