Boca Raton, FL – September 4, 2007 – Everyone at Axerra Networks regarded Steve Byars not only as a hard-working colleague and talented marketing executive, but also as a valued friend. It is for this reason that his sudden death from a diabetes-related complication at age 50 is so sincerely mourned by all.

During Steve’s six-year tenure as Vice President of Marketing, he was instrumental in building the market presence of Axerra Networks into its current position as a leader in Pseudo-Wire circuit emulation and service emulation solutions over packet networks. With an engineering degree from Stanford University and having held network engineering positions in several firms, Steve brought to Axerra Networks a strong combination of exceptional technical expertise and extraordinary business and marketing acumen. With these professional capabilities and his commitment to excellence, he worked closely with the executive management of Axerra Networks to set an ambitious strategic marketing direction for the company.

Under Steve’s leadership, the product marketing and marketing communications divisions of Axerra were elevated to professional levels. A gifted writer and wordsmith, he is the author and editor of scores of articles, presentations, case studies, and white papers. In addition, his ability to analyze the telecommunications marketplace and effectively communicate the benefits of Axerra’s Pseudo-Wire technology made him a favorite and frequent source of industry information for the telecommunications media. His tireless efforts to convey the competitive advantages of Axerra’s solutions, particularly for mobile wireless backhaul and service delivery, were rewarded when Axerra Networks received multiple industry awards in 2006 and 2007, including two GSM Association awards and an inaugural NXTcomm Eos Award.

“I truly believe that Steve should get all the credit for building the brand name of Axerra, which he did over 6 years of very hard work,” said Gil Biran, Founder, President, and CSO of Axerra Networks. “Steve was a real team player. Axerra’s goals were always more important to him than his personal goals. He was a very special and unique person. Everyone really loved him. Over the years, Steve became a good friend, and I am really shocked by his sudden death.”

Steve will always be remembered, not only for the accomplishments he achieved for Axerra, but also for the friendships he forged along the way. He was extremely personable, thoughtful, and considerate, always willing to listen to the ideas and opinions of others, while admirably focused and committed to achieving results. Steve set high standards for himself and for Axerra. He was an inspiration to all who worked with him, and he will be greatly missed.

About Axerra Networks, Inc.
Axerra Networks, “The Pseudo-Wire Company®”, is the leading provider of circuit emulation and service emulation solutions over packet access networks. Axerra’s Pseudo-Wire solutions enable mobile wireless operators, cable MSOs, competitive service providers, and incumbent carriers to extend IP + legacy voice and data services in native format over Ethernet, IP, and MPLS networks. The result is greater operational efficiency, new revenue opportunities, and a smooth migration strategy to a single converged network, without stranding any revenue streams from profitable legacy services. With Axerra’s Pseudo-Wire solutions, service providers can convert any packet access network (Carrier Ethernet, broadband wireless including WiMAX, cable HFC, xDSL, PON, etc.) into a full-service alternative to TDM access. For more information, please visit: www.axerra.com.

American Diabetes Association:
Axerra Networks is pleased to have made a donation to the American Diabetes Association in honor of Steve Byars. If you would like to do so, please contact the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria VA 22312, or make a donation online at: www.diabetes.org.

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