Somera and XO Communications Sign Lifecycle Management Contract [April 28, 2005]

DALLAS, April 28, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Somera Communications (SMRA), a global provider of telecommunications asset management services, today announced a new five-year, multi-million dollar Lifecycle Services Contract with XO Communications (XOCM) for the implementation of a Network Spares Management program.

Under this program, Somera will act as XO's reliable outsource partner in the creation of a field-deployed inventory program to reduce critical response time for network spares. In this capacity, the program is designed to drive measurable operational and capital savings by leveraging Somera's inventory pooling strategy and outsources services.

"This contract win with XO Communications demonstrates the value of our lifecycle management services," said David W. Heard, Somera's President and Chief Executive Officer. "As a true pioneer in telecom asset management, we are acting as a preferred business outsource partner, saving service providers real dollars in today's competitive market place. This sizeable spares program with XO represents just one element of our progress in building traction in our annuity-based lifecycle services business."

Added Heard, "XO has established itself as a leader in implementing strategies to improve network reliability through the availability of critical spares to ensure network uptime while maximizing network investments. We are delighted to be XO's strategic partner in co-developing their spares inventory program and serving as their single outsource spares provider. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial program."

The execution of the program will be supported by Somera's intellectual property in its proprietary global database to track equipment assets spread over logistically diverse locations, provide rapid turnaround for the delivery of network spares components, and lower overall inventory costs.

About Somera
Somera launched its family of Lifecycle Management Services in 2004 in response to an industry-wide need for telecom asset management to optimize return on assets. Somera's product offerings enable service providers to generate greater value from legacy assets in the form of lower operating costs, longer product life, higher productivity, and real measurable capital savings. With Somera LifecyclePLUS, customers can outsource elements of network operations, logistics, and technical service. Somera RecoveryPLUS(TM) is a program approach to deliver documented savings and expense relief by recovering hidden value in current under-utilized assets and inventories. Somera RepairPLUS provides comprehensive support for wireless, wireline, and data products at significant savings and reduced cycle times. These services are in addition to Somera's traditional Brokerage business that provides immediate availability of quality, warranted new and refurbished equipment at savings of 25 to 60%. Founded in 1995, Somera has developed an impressive base of over 1,100 customers worldwide, including the industry leaders from each segment of the telecommunications market. Visit Somera on the web at www.somera.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those regarding the terms and conditions of the contract with the service provider, the anticipated size of the contract, and Somera's ability to execute on its Lifecycle Management Services strategy. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general economic conditions particularly affecting the telecommunications industry; capital equipment spending levels in the telecommunications industry, including the risk of continued customer spending delays associated with carrier consolidation; the impact of competition in the market for supplying equipment to telecommunications operators; the risk of potential shortage of product supply; Somera's ability to build its lifecycle management services capabilities, and Somera's ability to execute on the terms and conditions of the XO contract; and other factors fully described in the company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including but not limited to, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December, 31, 2004, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Actual results may differ materially from the statements contained in this new release. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of the company. Copies of Somera's SEC filings may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations, Somera Communications, at 1-805-681-3322.

About XO Communications
XO Communications is a leading provider of national and local telecommunications services to businesses, large enterprises and telecommunications companies. XO offers a complete portfolio of services, including local and long distance voice, dedicated Internet access, private networking, data transport, and Web hosting services as well as bundled voice and Internet solutions. XO provides these services over an advanced, national facilities-based IP network and serves more than 70 metropolitan markets across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.xo.com.

SOURCE Somera Communications