WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES INC
8-K, 1999-12-17
TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 8-K


                           Current Report Pursuant to
                             Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 13, 1999



                           WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                    DELAWARE
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)




        0-27266                                        36-3154957
(Commission File Number)                (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)



750 North Commons Drive, Aurora, Illinois                         60504
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)



                                 (630) 898-2500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



<PAGE>


    ITEM 5.       OTHER EVENTS

         On December 13, 1999, Westell Technologies, Inc. ("Westell") released a
         Press Release, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form
         8-K and incorporated herein by reference,  which announced the proposed
         merger  of  a  subsidiary  of  Westell  with  and  into  Teltrend  Inc.
         ("Teltrend").  A copy of the Merger  Agreement  related to the proposed
         transaction is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

         The merger is  subject to  conditions  to  closing  including,  without
         limitation,   approval   of  the   Merger   Agreement   by   Teltrend's
         stockholders;  the  approval of  Westell's  stock  issuance and related
         transactions  by Westell's  stockholders;  and the receipt of antitrust
         clearances.

         In connection with the Merger Agreement, Robert C. Penny III and Melvin
         J. Simon,  who together  currently  hold voting  power over  18,907,908
         shares  of  Westell's  Class  B  common  stock  (approximately  80%  of
         Westell's  current  total  outstanding  voting  power),  entered into a
         Voting  Agreement with Teltrend.  Under the Voting  Agreement,  Messrs.
         Penny and Simon have  agreed,  individually  and as trustees of various
         trusts holding  Westell stock, to vote all shares of Westell stock over
         which  they  have  direct  or  indirect  voting  power  in favor of the
         merger-related transactions if a majority of those Westell stockholders
         who are  neither  directors  or  officers of Westell nor members of the
         Penny or Simon families vote in favor of these transactions.  A copy of
         the Voting Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3.


         Also in  connection  with the proposed  transaction,  Westell  executed
         letter  agreements  with the  holders of its  outstanding  Subordinated
         Secured  Convertible  Debentures.  Pursuant to these letter agreements,
         copies  of which  are  attached  hereto as  Exhibits  99.4(a)-(c),  the
         holders of the  debentures and related  warrants  waived certain rights
         which could  arise in  connection  with the  proposed  transaction  and
         Westell  amended  the  exercise  price of the  warrants  to $5.9208 per
         share.

     ITEM 7.      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c)      Exhibits.

         The  exhibits  filed  herewith  are listed in the  Exhibit  Index which
         follows the signature page of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES

             Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
    1934,  the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
    by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                                WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.



                                                By: /s/ Robert H. Gaynor
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                       Robert H. Gaynor
                                                       Chairman, Chief Executive
                                                        Officer

    Dated: December 17, 1999












<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------



Exhibit
Number   Description
- ------   -----------

99.1     Press Release dated December 13, 1999.

99.2     Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated December 13, 1999,  among Teltrend
         Inc., Westell Technologies Inc. and Theta Acquisition Corp.

99.3     Voting  Agreement,  dated December 13, 1999,  among Robert C. Penny III
         and Melvin J. Simon,  individually  and as trustees of various  trusts,
         and Teltrend Inc.

99.4(a)  Letter   Agreement,   dated   December   13,  1999,   between   Westell
         Technologies, Inc. and Capital Ventures International

99.4(b)  Letter   Agreement,   dated   December   13,  1999,   between   Westell
         Technologies, Inc. and Castle Creek Technology Partners LLC

99.4(c)  Letter   Agreement,   dated   December   13,  1999,   between   Westell
         Technologies, Inc. and Marshall Capital Management, Inc.





        WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE TELTREND INC.

 Acquisition To Create a Leader in Telco Access Products and Fuel Broadband DSL


AURORA,  IL  ...(DECEMBER  13,  1999)...  Robert H.  Gaynor,  Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer,  announced today, that Westell Technologies (NASDAQ: WSTL), a
leading  provider of DSL  technology,  telecommunications  access  products  and
hosted and managed  conferencing  and support  services  has signed a definitive
agreement to acquire Teltrend Corporation (NASDAQ:  TLTN).  Teltrend Corporation
designs,  manufactures and markets a broad range of telecommunications  and data
communications  products used by businesses  and telephone  companies to provide
voice and data services.

Teltrend, established in 1979, manufactures and markets products to provide data
and voice services over the existing telephone  network,  primarily in the Local
Loop.  Teltrend's unique local telephone loop solutions -developed for HDSL, T1,
Fiber Optic,  ISDN, DDS, and DLC  applications  -- allow telephone  companies to
provide new and better services to their  customers  without the need for costly
infrastructure replacement.  Teltrend also manufactures a wide range of products
that convert,  change and amplify transmission  protocols and are used worldwide
in public and private communications networks.

By merging  Teltrend with  Westell's  HiCap Business Unit, the Company will be a
leader in local loop solutions  including T1, Fiber Optic,  ISDN,  DDS, HDSL and
DLC applications serving virtually the entire carrier market. Westell expects to
realize  significant  synergies  as a result  of the  transaction,  including  a
decrease in combined operating expenses,  increases in operating  leverage,  and
expanded strength in its sales channel . The combined Company's headquarters and
manufacturing facility will be based in Aurora, Illinois and will have more than
1,000 employees.

Marc Zionts,  Chief Executive  Officer of Westell,  stated that "Teltrend brings
outstanding   products,   people  and  customers  to  the  Westell  family.  The
combination of Westell and Teltrend will provide enormous benefits. We will fuel
our DSL initiatives  while at the same time build a stronger  operating base and
increase our scale."

J. Nelson Westell Inc.,  President and COO,  remarked "Both Teltrend and Westell
have been in the business of providing  local access  solutions to our customers
for many  years.  We  believe  we will  realize a high  degree of synergy in our
companies enabling the combined entity to more effectively serve the market with
an expanded product portfolio.  This exciting  combination will also allow us to
further broaden our DSL programs."

"Teltrend  is very  pleased to join the  Westell  team",  stated  Howard  Kirby,
Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Teltrend.  "Westell's  high  growth
initiatives,  innovation,  and presence in the  marketplace  provide a great fit
with Teltrend.  Our  shareholders,  customers and employees will benefit from an
increased presence in our core business and expansion into the DSL arena."

Under the terms of the  agreement,  each share of Teltrend  common stock will be
exchanged for 3.3 shares of Class A Westell  common stock.  Based on the closing
price of Westell shares on December 10, the aggregate  value of the  transaction
to Westell stockholders is $205 million.


<PAGE>


The merger,  approved by the boards of  directors of both  companies,  will also
require the  approval  of both  Westell's  and  Teltrend's  stockholders  and is
subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.  The transaction
is expected to be accounted for using  purchase  accounting  and to qualify as a
tax-free reorganization.  Westell Technologies expects to take a one-time charge
for merger and related  expenses  upon the closing of the deal which is expected
to occur in the fourth quarter of Westell's Fiscal Year 2000.  Goldman,  Sachs &
Co. and Hambrecht & Quist acted as Westell's  financial advisors while Soundview
Financial advised Teltrend.

Teltrend  Inc.,  established  in 1979  with  over 500  employees  worldwide,  is
headquartered in suburban Chicago. Teltrend designs,  manufactures and markets a
broad  range of  telecommunications  and data  communications  products  used by
businesses  and  telephone  companies to provide  voice and data  services.  The
Company's customers range from Regional Bell Operating  Companies,  GTE, Sprint,
and other U.S. and International  telephone companies,  to SOHO and medium-sized
business. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Teltrend's Web site
at www.teltrend.com.

Westell  Technologies,  Inc,  headquartered  in Aurora,  Illinois,  is a holding
company for Westell,  Inc. and Conference Plus, Inc. Westell,  Inc. manufactures
and   licenses   DSL   systems   and   value   added   CPE,   and   manufactures
telecommunications  access  products.  Conference  Plus, Inc. is an Applications
Service Provider managing and hosting audio,  video, IP conferencing and support
services.  Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell's Web site
at www.westell.com.

     "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
of 1995:
- --------

     Certain  statements  contained herein including,  without  limitation,  the
combined  Company will be a leader in local loop  solutions,  Westell expects to
realize  significant  synergies  as  a  result  of  the  transaction,  including
increases in operating leverage,  sales channel strength, and scale as well as a
decrease in combined operating expenses, the combined Company's headquarters and
manufacturing  facility will be based in Aurora,  Illinois,  "We believe we will
realize a high degree of synergy in our companies  enabling the combined  entity
to more effectively serve the market with an expanded product  portfolio",  "The
combination of Westell and Teltrend will provide enormous benefits. We will fuel
our DSL initiatives  while at the same time build a stronger  operating base and
increase  our  scale",  "Westell's  high  growth  initiatives,  innovation,  and
presence in the marketplace provide a great fit with Teltrend. Our shareholders,
customers  and  employees  will benefit  from an increased  presence in our core
business and expansion into the DSL arena", are forward-looking  statements that
involve a number of risks and  uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties may
cause actual  results to differ  materially  from expected  results and are more
fully  described  in  Westell's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1999 under the section  "Risk  Factors"  and  Teltrend's  Annual
Report on Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended  July 31,  1999.  Westell  and
Teltrend undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions
to these  forward  looking  statements  that may be made to  reflect  events  or
circumstances   after  the  date  hereof  or  to  reflect  the   occurrence   of
unanticipated events





                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 13, 1999

                                  BY AND AMONG

                           WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                             THETA ACQUISITION CORP.

                                       AND

                                  TELTREND INC.





<PAGE>





ARTICLE I               THE MERGER............................................1

         SECTION 1.1    The Merger............................................1

         SECTION 1.2    Effective Time of the Merger..........................1

ARTICLE II              THE SURVIVING AND PARENT CORPORATIONS.................1

         SECTION 2.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving
                          Corporation.........................................1

         SECTION 2.2    By-Laws of Surviving Corporation......................2

         SECTION 2.3    Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.......2

         SECTION 2.4    Directors of Parent...................................2

ARTICLE III             CONVERSION OF SHARES..................................2

         SECTION 3.1    Conversion of Company Shares in the Merger............2

         SECTION 3.2    Conversion of Subsidiary Shares.......................2

         SECTION 3.3    Exchange of Certificates..............................3

         SECTION 3.4    No Fractional Securities..............................4

         SECTION 3.5    The Closing...........................................4

         SECTION 3.6    Closing of the Company's Transfer Books...............5

ARTICLE IV              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                        PARENT AND SUBSIDIARY.................................5

         SECTION 4.1    Organization and Qualification........................5

         SECTION 4.2    Capitalization........................................5

         SECTION 4.3    Subsidiaries..........................................6

         SECTION 4.4    Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals...............7

         SECTION 4.5    Reports and Financial Statements......................8

         SECTION 4.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities....................8

         SECTION 4.7    Absence of Certain Changes or Events..................9

         SECTION 4.8    Litigation............................................9

         SECTION 4.9    Registration Statement and Proxy Statement............9

         SECTION 4.10   No Violation of Law...................................9

         SECTION 4.11   Compliance with Agreements...........................10

         SECTION 4.12   Taxes................................................10

         SECTION 4.13   Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA........................11

         SECTION 4.14   Labor Controversies..................................12

         SECTION 4.15   Environmental Matters................................12

         SECTION 4.16   Title to Assets......................................13

         SECTION 4.17   Reorganization.......................................13

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                            Page

         SECTION 4.18   Parent Stockholders' Approval........................14

         SECTION 4.19   Brokers and Finders..................................14

         SECTION 4.20   Opinion of Financial Advisor.........................14

         SECTION 4.21   Company Stock........................................14

ARTICLE V               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY........14

         SECTION 5.1    Organization and Qualification.......................14

         SECTION 5.2    Capitalization.......................................15

         SECTION 5.3    Subsidiaries.........................................16

         SECTION 5.4    Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals..............16

         SECTION 5.5    Reports and Financial Statements.....................17

         SECTION 5.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...................18

         SECTION 5.7    Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................18

         SECTION 5.8    Litigation...........................................18

         SECTION 5.9    Registration Statement and Proxy Statement...........18

         SECTION 5.10   No Violation of Law..................................19

         SECTION 5.11   Compliance with Agreements...........................19

         SECTION 5.12   Taxes................................................19

         SECTION 5.13   Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA........................20

         SECTION 5.14   Labor Controversies..................................21

         SECTION 5.15   Environmental Matter.................................21

         SECTION 5.16   Title to Assets......................................21

         SECTION 5.17   Reorganization.......................................22

         SECTION 5.18   Company Stockholders' Approval.......................22

         SECTION 5.19   Brokers and Finders..................................22

         SECTION 5.20   Opinion of Financial Advisor.........................22

         SECTION 5.21   Section 203..........................................22

         SECTION 5.22   Rights Agreement.....................................22

         SECTION 5.23   No Recent Negotiations with Affiliates...............22

ARTICLE VI              CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER...............24

         SECTION 6.1    Conduct of Business by the Company Pending
                          the Merger.........................................24

         SECTION 6.2    Conduct of Business by Parent and Subsidiary
                          Pending the Merger.................................25

         SECTION 6.3    Acquisition Transactions.............................27

ARTICLE VII             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS................................28

         SECTION 7.1    Access to Information................................28

         SECTION 7.2    Registration Statement and Proxy Statement...........29

         SECTION 7.3    Stockholders' Approvals..............................29

         SECTION 7.4    Compliance with the Securities Act and Exchange Act..30

         SECTION 7.5    Nasdaq Listing.......................................31

         SECTION 7.6    Expenses and Fees....................................31

         SECTION 7.7    Agreement to Cooperate...............................31

         SECTION 7.9    Option Plans.........................................32

         SECTION 7.10   Notification of Certain Matters......................33

         SECTION 7.11   Directors' and Officers' Indemnification.............33

         SECTION 7.12   Certain Benefits.....................................35

         SECTION 7.13   SEC Reports..........................................35

ARTICLE VIII            CONDITIONS...........................................35

         SECTION 8.1    Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect
                          the Merger.........................................35

         SECTION 8.2    Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect
                          the Merger.........................................36

         SECTION 8.3    Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Subsidiary
                          to Effect the Merger...............................37

ARTICLE IX              TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER....................37

         SECTION 9.1    Termination..........................................37

         SECTION 9.2    Effect of Termination................................39

         SECTION 9.3    Amendment............................................39

         SECTION 9.4    Waiver...............................................39

ARTICLE X               GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................39

         SECTION 10.1   Non-Survival and Scope of Representations and
                         Warranties and Agreements...........................39

         SECTION 10.2   Notices..............................................40

         SECTION 10.3   Interpretation.......................................40

         SECTION 10.4   Miscellaneous........................................40

         SECTION 10.5   Counterparts.........................................40

         SECTION 10.6   Parties in Interest..................................41

         SECTION 10.7   Severability.........................................41




<PAGE>





                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER,  dated as of December 13, 1999 (this
"AGREEMENT"),  by and among Westell  Technologies,  Inc., a Delaware corporation
("PARENT"),  Theta Acquisition Corp., a Delaware  corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent  ("SUBSIDIARY"),  and Teltrend Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY");

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent,  Subsidiary and the Company
have  approved the merger of  Subsidiary  with and into the Company on the terms
set forth in this Agreement (the "MERGER"); and

         WHEREAS,  Parent,  Subsidiary  and the  Company  intend  the  Merger to
qualify as a tax-free  reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "CODE"),  and the  regulations
thereunder;

         NOW,   THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of  the   premises   and   the
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements  contained  herein,  the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

         SECTION 1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement,  at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2) in accordance
with  the  General  Corporation  Law of the  State  of  Delaware  (the  "DGCL"),
Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Company and the separate  existence
of  Subsidiary  shall  thereupon  cease.  The  Company  shall  be the  surviving
corporation  in the  Merger  and is  hereinafter  sometimes  referred  to as the
"SURVIVING CORPORATION ."

         SECTION 1.2  EFFECTIVE  TIME OF THE  MERGER.  The Merger  shall  become
effective at such time a certificate of merger, in a form mutually acceptable to
Parent and the  Company,  is filed with the  Secretary  of State of the State of
Delaware in accordance with the DGCL (the "MERGER FILING") or such later time as
may be agreed to by the parties  hereto and  specified  in such  certificate  of
merger (the "EFFECTIVE  TIME").  The Merger Filing shall be made  simultaneously
with  or  as  soon  as  practicable   after  the  closing  of  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  in  accordance  with  Section 3.5. The parties
acknowledge  that it is their mutual desire and intent to consummate  the Merger
as soon as practicable  after the date hereof.  Accordingly,  the parties shall,
subject to the provisions hereof,  use all reasonable efforts to consummate,  as
soon  as  practicable,  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  in
accordance with Section 3.5.

                                   ARTICLE II

                      THE SURVIVING AND PARENT CORPORATIONS

         SECTION 2.1 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The
Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as amended,  of the Company  shall be
amended in the Merger to read in its entirety as set forth as Exhibit 2.1,  and,
as so  amended,  shall be the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the


<PAGE>


Surviving  Corporation  from and  after the  Effective  Time,  until  thereafter
amended in accordance with its terms and as provided in the DGCL.

         SECTION 2.2 BY-LAWS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION. The By-laws of Subsidiary
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the
Surviving  Corporation  from and after the Effective Time, and thereafter may be
amended in  accordance  with their terms and as provided by the  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and the DGCL.

         SECTION 2.3  DIRECTORS  AND OFFICERS OF SURVIVING  CORPORATION.  At the
Effective Time, the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be
as  designated  by Parent  in  writing  prior to the  Effective  Time,  and such
directors and officers shall  thereafter serve in accordance with the By-laws of
the Surviving  Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed and qualified.

         SECTION  2.4  DIRECTORS  OF PARENT.  Parent and its Board of  Directors
shall take all action as is necessary so that,  at the Effective  Time,  (i) the
size of the board of directors of Parent is increased to include two  additional
directors  and (ii) two  individuals,  each of whom (a)  currently  serves  as a
director of the Company, (b) agrees to serve as a director of Parent, and (c) is
identified  by Parent,  are  elected as  directors  of Parent,  each to serve in
accordance  with the Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and
Amended  and  Restated  By-laws,  as  amended,  of  Parent  and until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualified.

                                  ARTICLE III

                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

         SECTION  3.1  CONVERSION  OF  COMPANY  SHARES  IN  THE  MERGER.  At the
Effective  Time,  by virtue of the Merger and  without any action on the part of
any holder of any capital stock of Parent or the Company:

              (a) each share of the common stock,  par value $.01 per share,  of
         the Company issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective
         Time (other than shares  described  in Section  3.1(b))  (the  "COMPANY
         COMMON  STOCK")  shall,  subject to Sections  3.3 and 3.4, be converted
         into the right to receive, without interest, 3.3 (the "EXCHANGE RATIO")
         shares  of the Class A Common  Stock,  par value  $0.01 per  share,  of
         Parent ("PARENT STOCK");

              (b) each share of capital stock of the Company,  if any,  owned by
         Parent or any  subsidiary  of Parent or held in treasury by the Company
         or any  subsidiary  of the Company  immediately  prior to the Effective
         Time shall be canceled and cease to exist and no consideration shall be
         paid in exchange therefor; and

              (c)  subject to and as more fully  provided in Section  7.9,  each
         unexpired  option or warrant to purchase  Company  Common Stock that is
         outstanding at the Effective Time,  whether or not  exercisable,  shall
         automatically  and without any action on the part of the holder thereof
         be  converted  into an option or warrant to purchase a number of shares
         of Parent  Stock equal to the number of shares of Company  Common Stock
         that could be purchased under such option or warrant  multiplied by the
         Exchange  Ratio,  at a price per share of Parent Stock equal to the per
         share exercise price of such option or warrant  divided by the Exchange
         Ratio.

         SECTION 3.2 CONVERSION OF SUBSIDIARY  SHARES. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the  Merger and  without  any action on the part of Parent as the sole
stockholder of Subsidiary,  each issued and

<PAGE>


outstanding  share of common  stock,  par value  $.01 per share,  of  Subsidiary
("SUBSIDIARY  COMMON  STOCK") shall be converted into one share of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

         SECTION 3.3 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.

              (a)  From  and  after  the  Effective   Time,  each  holder  of  a
         certificate  which  immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
         issued and  outstanding  shares of Company  Common  Stock  (other  than
         shares  described  in Section  3.1(b))  shall be entitled to receive in
         exchange  therefor,   upon  surrender  thereof  to  an  exchange  agent
         reasonably  satisfactory  to  Parent  and the  Company  (the  "EXCHANGE
         AGENT"), a certificate or certificates representing the number of whole
         shares of Parent  Stock to which such  holder is  entitled  pursuant to
         Section  3.1(a),  any  dividends and  distributions  in respect of such
         shares of Parent Stock and any cash in lieu of a fractional  share,  as
         contemplated by Sections 3.3 and 3.4 hereof.  Notwithstanding any other
         provision  of this  Agreement,  (i) until  holders  or  transferees  of
         certificates  formerly representing shares of Company Common Stock have
         surrendered  them for  exchange as provided  herein,  no  dividends  or
         distributions  on shares of Parent  Stock shall be paid with respect to
         any shares of Parent Stock to which the holder of any such  certificate
         would be  entitled  pursuant  to the terms  hereof and no  payment  for
         fractional  shares shall be made and (ii)  without  regard to when such
         certificates  formerly  representing shares of Company Common Stock are
         surrendered for exchange as provided herein,  no interest shall be paid
         on any dividends or distributions or any payment for fractional shares.
         Upon  surrender  of  a  certificate  which  immediately  prior  to  the
         Effective Time  represented  issued and  outstanding  shares of Company
         Common Stock (other than shares  described  in Section  3.1(b)),  there
         shall be paid to the holder of such certificate (i) at the time of such
         surrender, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share
         of Parent  Stock to which such holder is  entitled  pursuant to Section
         3.4 and the  amount  of any  dividends  or other  distributions  with a
         record date after the Effective Time  theretofore  paid with respect to
         the whole  shares of  Parent  Stock  issuable  upon  surrender  of such
         certificate,  and (ii) at the  appropriate  payment date, the amount of
         any  dividends  or other  distributions  with a record  date  after the
         Effective  Time  but  prior  to  such  surrender  and  a  payment  date
         subsequent to such surrender  payable with respect to such whole shares
         of Parent Stock.

              (b) If any  certificate for shares of Parent Stock is to be issued
         in  a  name  other  than  that  in  which  the   certificate   formerly
         representing  shares of Company  Common Stock  surrendered  in exchange
         therefor is registered in the Company's transfer records, it shall be a
         condition of such  exchange  that the person  requesting  such exchange
         shall pay any applicable  transfer or other taxes required by reason of
         such issuance.

              (c) As soon as practicable  after the Effective Time, Parent shall
         make  available to the  Exchange  Agent the  certificates  representing
         shares of Parent Stock required to effect the exchanges  referred to in
         paragraph  (a)  above and cash for  payment  of any  fractional  shares
         referred to in Section 3.4.

              (d) As soon as practicable  after the Effective Time, the Exchange
         Agent  shall  mail  to  each  holder  of  record  of a  certificate  or
         certificates  that immediately  prior to the Effective Time represented
         issued and  outstanding  shares of Company  Common  Stock  (other  than
         shares described in Section 3.1(b)) (the "COMPANY  CERTIFICATES") (i) a
         letter of  transmittal  (which  shall  specify that  delivery  shall be
         effected,  and risk of loss and title to the Company Certificates shall
         pass,  only upon actual  delivery of the  Company  Certificates  to the
         Exchange  Agent)  and  (ii)  instructions  for  use  in  effecting  the
         surrender  of the Company  Certificates  in exchange  for  certificates
         representing   shares  of  Parent  Stock.  Upon  surrender  of  Company
         Certificates  for  cancellation to the Exchange Agent,  together with a
         duly executed  letter of  transmittal  and such other  documents as the


<PAGE>


         Exchange  Agent shall  reasonably  require,  the holder of such Company
         Certificates  shall be  entitled  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor a
         certificate or certificates representing that number of whole shares of
         Parent  Stock into which the shares of Company  Common  Stock  formerly
         represented by the Company  Certificates so surrendered shall have been
         converted  into the right to  receive  pursuant  to the  provisions  of
         Section  3.1(a),  any cash paid in lieu of a  fractional  share and any
         dividends and  distributions  contemplated by Section  3.3(a),  and the
         Company Certificates so surrendered shall be canceled.  Notwithstanding
         the foregoing, neither the Exchange Agent nor any party hereto shall be
         liable to a holder of a Company  Certificate  for any  shares of Parent
         Stock,  dividends or distributions thereon or cash payment in lieu of a
         fractional share delivered to a public official  pursuant to applicable
         abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

              (e)  Promptly  following  the date which is nine months  after the
         Effective  Time,  the Exchange  Agent shall deliver to Parent all cash,
         certificates  (including  any Parent Stock) and other  documents in its
         possession  relating to the  transactions  described in this Agreement,
         and the Exchange  Agent's  duties  shall  terminate.  Thereafter,  each
         holder of a Company  Certificate may surrender such Company Certificate
         to the  Surviving  Corporation  and  (subject to  applicable  abandoned
         property,  escheat and similar laws)  receive in exchange  therefor the
         Parent  Stock,  any cash  paid in lieu of a  fractional  share  and any
         dividends and distributions contemplated by Section 3.3(a), without any
         interest thereon.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  none of the Exchange
         Agent,  Parent,  Subsidiary,  the Company or the Surviving  Corporation
         shall be liable to a holder of a Company  Certificate for any shares of
         Parent  Stock,  dividends or  distributions  thereon or cash payment in
         lieu of a fractional  share delivered to a public official  pursuant to
         applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

              (f) In the event any  Company  Certificate  shall  have been lost,
         stolen or  destroyed,  upon the making of an  affidavit of that fact by
         the person  claiming  such Company  Certificate  to be lost,  stolen or
         destroyed,  the Surviving  Corporation shall issue in exchange for such
         lost,  stolen  or  destroyed  Company   Certificate  the  Parent  Stock
         deliverable  in respect  thereof  determined  in  accordance  with this
         Article III. When authorizing such issuance in exchange  therefor,  the
         Board of Directors of the Surviving  Corporation may, in its discretion
         and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner
         of such  lost,  stolen or  destroyed  Company  Certificate  to give the
         Surviving  Corporation  such indemnity as it may  reasonably  direct as
         protection  against any claim that may be made  against  the  Surviving
         Corporation  with  respect to the Company  Certificate  alleged to have
         been lost, stolen or destroyed.

         SECTION  3.4  NO  FRACTIONAL  SECURITIES.   Notwithstanding  any  other
provision of this Agreement,  no fractional  shares and no certificates or scrip
for  fractional  shares of Parent Stock shall be issued in  connection  with the
Merger. In lieu of any such fractional shares,  each holder of shares of Company
Common Stock who would  otherwise  have been entitled to receive a fraction of a
share of Parent  Stock upon  surrender  of  Company  Certificates  for  exchange
pursuant to this Article III (after taking into account all Company Certificates
registered  in the name of such  holder),  shall be entitled to receive from the
Exchange  Agent a cash payment equal to such fraction  multiplied by the average
closing  price per share of  Parent  Stock on the  Nasdaq  National  Market,  as
reported  by the Wall Street  Journal,  during the 10 trading  days  immediately
preceding the Effective Time.

         SECTION  3.5  THE  CLOSING.   The  closing  (the   "CLOSING")   of  the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall  take  place at a location
mutually  agreeable  to  Parent  and the  Company  as  promptly  as  practicable
following the date on which the last of the conditions set forth in Article VIII
is  fulfilled  or  waived,  or at such  other  time and place as Parent  and the
Company shall agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this
Agreement as the "CLOSING DATE."

<PAGE>



         SECTION 3.6 CLOSING OF THE COMPANY'S  TRANSFER  BOOKS. At and after the
Effective Time,  holders of Company  Certificates shall cease to have any rights
as stockholders of the Company, except for the right to receive shares of Parent
Stock  pursuant  to  Section  3.1 and the right to receive  cash for  payment of
fractional  shares  pursuant to Section 3.4. At the  Effective  Time,  the stock
transfer  books of the  Company  shall be closed  and no  transfer  of shares of
Company Common Stock which were outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective
Time shall  thereafter  be made.  If, after the Effective  Time,  subject to the
terms  and  conditions  of  this  Agreement,   Company   Certificates   formerly
representing  shares of Company  Common  Stock are  presented  to the  Surviving
Corporation,  they shall be canceled and exchanged for shares of Parent Stock in
accordance with this Article III.

                                   ARTICLE IV

             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUBSIDIARY

         Parent and  Subsidiary  each represent and warrant to the Company that,
except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Schedule dated as of the date hereof and
signed by an authorized  officer of Parent (the "PARENT  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE"),
each of which exceptions shall specifically identify the relevant Section hereof
to which it relates:

         SECTION  4.1  ORGANIZATION  AND  QUALIFICATION.   Each  of  Parent  and
Subsidiary  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing  and in  good
standing under the laws of the state of its  incorporation and has the requisite
power and authority to own,  lease and operate its assets and  properties and to
carry  on  its  business  as it is now  being  conducted.  Each  of  Parent  and
Subsidiary  is  qualified  to do  business  and  is in  good  standing  in  each
jurisdiction  in which the  properties  owned,  leased or  operated by it or the
nature of the  business  conducted  by it makes  such  qualification  necessary,
except  where  the  failure  to be so  qualified  and in  good  standing  is not
reasonably  likely to, when taken together with all other such failures,  have a
Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.  For  purposes of this  Agreement,  a "PARENT
MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT" is any event,  change or effect that (i) is materially
adverse to the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or
other) or  results of  operations  of Parent  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole,  other than any event,  change or effect  resulting  from (a)  changes in
general economic conditions (including United States stock market conditions) or
(b)  changes in the market  price for Parent  Stock or Company  Common  Stock as
reflected on the Nasdaq National  Market,  or (ii) prevents Parent or Subsidiary
from consummating the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  including the Merger,
prior to the date  specified in Section  9.1(b)(i)  hereof.  True,  accurate and
complete   copies  of  each  of  Parent's  and   Subsidiary's   certificate   of
incorporation  and  by-laws,  in each  case as in  effect  on the  date  hereof,
including all amendments  thereto,  have  heretofore  been made available to the
Company.

         SECTION 4.2 CAPITALIZATION.

              (a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock
         of Parent  consists  of (a)  65,500,000  shares of  Parent  Stock,  (b)
         25,000,000  shares of Class B Common  Stock , par value $0.01 per share
         ("PARENT CLASS B COMMON STOCK"),  and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred
         stock, par value $0.01 per share ("PARENT PREFERRED STOCK").  As of the
         close of business on  September  30,  1999,  (i)  17,489,521  shares of
         Parent Stock and 19,124,869  shares of Parent Class B Common Stock were
         issued and  outstanding,  (ii) no shares of Parent Preferred Stock were
         issued and outstanding, (iii) no shares of Parent Stock, Parent Class B
         Common  Stock or Parent  Preferred  Stock were held in the  treasury of
         Parent,  (iv)  4,768,304  shares  of Parent  Stock  were  reserved  for
         issuance  pursuant to the exercise of outstanding  options and warrants
         to  purchase  Parent  Stock,  (v) 131,825  shares of Parent  Stock were
         reserved for issuance under  Parent's  Employee Stock Purchase Plan and
         (vi) 19,124,869  shares of Parent Stock were reserved for issuance upon

<PAGE>


         conversion of Parent's Class B Common Stock. Between September 30, 1999
         and the date of this  Agreement,  Parent  has  issued  no shares of its
         capital  stock except for 62,836 shares of Parent Stock issued upon the
         exercise of options  granted  pursuant to Parent's 1995 Stock Incentive
         Plan. As of the date of this Agreement all outstanding shares of Parent
         Stock and Parent Class B Common Stock are, and immediately prior to the
         Effective Time all outstanding  shares of Parent Stock and Parent Class
         B Common Stock will be, validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable
         and free of any preemptive (or similar) right.

              (b) The authorized  capital stock of Subsidiary  consists of 1,000
         shares of Subsidiary  Common Stock,  of which 100 shares are issued and
         outstanding,  which  shares  are  owned  beneficially  and of record by
         Parent.

              (c) Except as disclosed in the Parent Disclosure  Schedule,  as of
         the date hereof, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, puts,
         calls,   contracts,    commitments,    understandings,    restrictions,
         arrangements,  rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or
         exchange under any outstanding security,  instrument or other agreement
         and also  including any rights plan or other  anti-takeover  agreement,
         obligating  Parent or any  subsidiary  of Parent to issue,  deliver  or
         sell, or cause to be issued,  delivered or sold,  additional  shares of
         the capital  stock of Parent or any  subsidiary of Parent or obligating
         Parent or any  subsidiary of Parent to grant,  extend or enter into any
         such  agreement or  commitment.  Except as  otherwise  disclosed in the
         Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  there are no voting  trusts,  proxies or
         other agreements or understandings to which Parent or any subsidiary of
         Parent  is a party or by which  Parent or any  subsidiary  of Parent is
         bound with  respect  to the  voting of any  shares of capital  stock of
         Parent, and there are no registration rights or similar agreements with
         respect  to  any  shares  of  capital  stock  of  Parent  or any of its
         subsidiaries.  The shares of Parent Stock issued to stockholders of the
         Company in connection with the Merger will be duly authorized,  validly
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.

              (d) Except for the Parent Stock and Parent Class B Common Stock or
         as otherwise  described in the Parent Disclosure  Schedule,  Parent has
         outstanding  no  bonds,  debentures,  notes  or  other  obligations  or
         securities  the  holders  of  which  have  the  right  to vote  (or are
         convertible or exchangeable  into or exercisable for securities  having
         the right to vote) with the stockholders of Parent on any matter.

         SECTION 4.3 SUBSIDIARIES. Each direct and indirect corporate subsidiary
of Parent is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the
laws of its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and has the  requisite  power  and
authority to own,  lease and operate its assets and  properties  and to carry on
its  business  as it is now  being  conducted.  Each  subsidiary  of  Parent  is
qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which
the  properties  owned,  leased or operated by it or the nature of the  business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary,  except where the failure to
be so qualified  and in good standing  would not,  when taken  together with all
such other failures,  have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed
in the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  all of the  outstanding  shares of capital
stock of each  corporate  subsidiary of Parent are validly  issued,  fully paid,
nonassessable  and  free  of  preemptive  rights,  and  are  owned  directly  or
indirectly  by  Parent,  free and clear of any  liens,  claims or  encumbrances,
except that such shares are pledged to secure Parent's credit facilities. Except
as  disclosed in the Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  there are no  subscriptions,
options,  warrants,  rights, puts, calls,  contracts,  voting trusts, proxies or
other commitments, understandings,  restrictions or arrangements relating to the
issuance, sale, voting, transfer,  ownership or other rights with respect to any
shares of capital  stock of any corporate  subsidiary  of Parent,  including any
right of conversion or exchange under any  outstanding  security,  instrument or
agreement.


<PAGE>


         As used in this Agreement,  the term "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, when used
with reference to any person or entity,  any corporation,  partnership,  limited
liability company,  joint venture or other entity of which such person or entity
(either acting alone or together with its other  subsidiaries) owns, directly or
indirectly,  50% or more of the stock or other voting interests,  the holders of
which  are  entitled  to vote for the  election  of a  majority  of the board of
directors  or any  similar  governing  body  of such  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other entity.

         SECTION 4.4 AUTHORITY; NON-CONTRAVENTION; APPROVALS.

              (a)  Parent  and  Subsidiary  each have full  corporate  power and
         authority  to enter  into this  Agreement  and,  subject  to the Parent
         Stockholders'  Approval  (as defined in Section  7.3(b)) and the Parent
         Required  Statutory  Approvals  (as  defined  in  Section  4.4(c)),  to
         consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This Agreement has
         been approved by the Boards of Directors of Parent and Subsidiary,  and
         has been  approved  by a majority  of the  non-employee  members of the
         Board of Directors of Parent, and no other corporate proceedings on the
         part of Parent or  Subsidiary  are necessary to authorize the execution
         and delivery of this Agreement or, except for the Parent  Stockholders'
         Approval, the consummation by Parent and Subsidiary of the transactions
         contemplated   hereby.  This  Agreement  has  been  duly  executed  and
         delivered  by each of Parent  and  Subsidiary,  and,  assuming  the due
         authorization,   execution   and   delivery   hereof  by  the  Company,
         constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of each of Parent and
         Subsidiary  enforceable  against  each of them in  accordance  with its
         terms,  except that such  enforcement may be subject to (i) bankruptcy,
         insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws affecting
         or relating to  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally and (ii)
         general equitable principles.

              (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent
         and Subsidiary do not and will not violate,  conflict with or result in
         a breach of any  provision  of, or  constitute  a default  (or an event
         which,  with  notice  or  lapse  of time or both,  would  constitute  a
         default)  under,  or result in the  termination  of, or accelerate  the
         performance   required  by,  or  result  in  a  right  of  termination,
         acceleration or amendment under, or result in the creation of any lien,
         security interest,  charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or
         assets  of Parent or any of its  subsidiaries  under any of the  terms,
         conditions  or  provisions  of  (i)  the  respective   certificates  of
         incorporation or by-laws of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any
         statute, law, ordinance,  rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree, order,
         injunction,  writ,  permit  or  license  of any  court or  governmental
         authority  applicable  to Parent or any of its  subsidiaries  or any of
         their  respective  properties  or  assets  or  (iii)  any  note,  bond,
         mortgage,   indenture,  deed  of  trust,  license,  franchise,  permit,
         concession,   contract,  lease  or  other  instrument,   obligation  or
         agreement of any kind to which Parent or any of its subsidiaries is now
         a party or by which Parent or any of its  subsidiaries  or any of their
         respective  properties  or assets  may be bound.  The  consummation  by
         Parent and Subsidiary of the transactions  contemplated hereby will not
         result  in  any  violation,  conflict,  breach,  default,  termination,
         acceleration  or  creation  of rights or liens  under any of the terms,
         conditions or provisions  described in clauses (i) through (iii) of the
         preceding sentence, subject (x) in the case of the terms, conditions or
         provisions described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, to obtaining (prior
         to the Effective Time) the Parent Required Statutory  Approvals and the
         Parent  Stockholder's  Approval  and  (y) in  the  case  of the  terms,
         conditions or provisions  described in clause (iii) above, to obtaining
         (prior  to  the  Effective  Time)  consents  required  from  commercial
         lenders,  lessors or other  third  parties as  specified  on the Parent
         Disclosure  Schedule.  Excluded  from the  foregoing  sentences of this
         paragraph  (b),  insofar  as they  apply to the  terms,  conditions  or
         provisions described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the first sentence of
         this paragraph (b), are such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
         terminations,  accelerations or creations of liens, security interests,
         charges or encumbrances that would not, in the aggregate, have a Parent
         Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>


              (c) Except  for (i) the  filings  by Parent  required  by, and the
         expiration or termination of any applicable  waiting period under,  the
         Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
         "HSR Act"), (ii) the filing of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as
         defined in Section 4.9) with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
         (the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
         (the "EXCHANGE  ACT"),  and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
         "SECURITIES ACT"), and the declaration of the effectiveness  thereof by
         the SEC and filings with various state blue sky authorities,  (iii) the
         making of the Merger Filing with the Secretary of State of the State of
         Delaware in connection with the Merger,  and (iv) the filings by Parent
         required in order for the Parent Stock to be issued in connection  with
         the Merger to be listed on the Nasdaq  National Market (the filings and
         approvals  referred  to in clauses (i)  through  (iv) are  collectively
         referred  to  as  the  "PARENT  REQUIRED  STATUTORY   Approvals"),   no
         declaration,   filing  or   registration   with,   or  notice   to,  or
         authorization,  consent or approval of, any  governmental or regulatory
         body or authority is necessary  for the  execution and delivery of this
         Agreement  by Parent or  Subsidiary  or the  consummation  by Parent or
         Subsidiary of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  other than such
         declarations, filings, registrations, notices, authorizations, consents
         or approvals which, if not made or obtained,  as the case may be, would
         not, in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.5 REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Parent has filed with the
SEC all forms,  statements,  reports and documents (including all post-effective
amendments and supplements thereto) required to be filed by it under each of the
Securities  Act,  the  Exchange  Act and the  respective  rules and  regulations
thereunder,  all of which, as amended if applicable,  complied when filed in all
material  respects with all applicable  requirements  of the appropriate act and
the rules and regulations  thereunder.  Parent has made available to the Company
copies  (including  all  exhibits,  post-effective  amendments  and  supplements
thereto) of its (a) Annual  Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999 and for the immediately  preceding  fiscal year, as filed with the SEC,
(b)  proxy  and  information  statements  relating  to (i) all  meetings  of its
stockholders  (whether annual or special) and (ii) actions by written consent in
lieu of a stockholders' meeting from January 1, 1997, until the date hereof, and
(c) all other reports,  including quarterly reports, and registration statements
filed by Parent  with the SEC since  January 1, 1997  (other  than  registration
statements filed on Form S-8) (the documents referred to in clauses (a), (b) and
(c) filed prior to the date hereof are  collectively  referred to as the "PARENT
SEC REPORTS").  The Parent SEC Reports are  identified on the Parent  Disclosure
Schedule.  As of  their  respective  filing  dates  (and,  in  the  case  of any
registration statement,  on the date it was declared effective),  the Parent SEC
Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or  necessary  to make  the
statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were
made,  not  misleading.   The  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  and
unaudited interim  consolidated  financial  statements of Parent included in the
Parent SEC Reports  (collectively,  the "PARENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS") have been
prepared  in  accordance  with  United  States  generally  accepted   accounting
principles  applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or
in the  notes  thereto)  and  fairly  present,  in all  material  respects,  the
financial  position of Parent and its  subsidiaries  as of the dates thereof and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods then ended,
subject,  in the case of the unaudited interim financial  statements,  to normal
year-end and audit adjustments and any other adjustments described therein.

         SECTION 4.6 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except as disclosed in
the Parent SEC Reports or as contemplated by this Agreement,  neither Parent nor
any of its  subsidiaries  had at September 30, 1999, or has incurred  since that
date, any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or
otherwise) of any nature, except: (a) liabilities,  obligations or contingencies
(i) which are accrued or reserved against in the Parent Financial  Statements or
reflected in the notes thereto or (ii) which were incurred  after  September 30,
1999, and were incurred in the ordinary  course of business and consistent  with
past practices;  (b) liabilities,  obligations or contingencies  which (i) would
not, in the aggregate,  have a

<PAGE>

Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect,  or (ii) have been discharged or paid in full
prior to the date hereof;  and (c) liabilities  and  obligations  which are of a
nature not required to be reflected in the consolidated  financial statements of
Parent and its subsidiaries  prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting  principles  consistently applied and which were incurred in
the ordinary course of business.

         SECTION 4.7 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Since the date of the
balance sheet  included in the most recently  filed Parent SEC Report (the "LAST
PARENT SEC REPORT") that contains  consolidated  financial statements of Parent,
there has not been any Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect other than changes that
affect the industries in which Parent and its subsidiaries operate generally.

         SECTION  4.8  LITIGATION.  Except as  disclosed  in the Last Parent SEC
Report,  there are no claims,  suits,  actions or proceedings pending or, to the
knowledge  of  Parent,  threatened  against  Parent or any of its  subsidiaries,
before any court, governmental department,  commission,  agency, instrumentality
or authority, or any arbitrator that seek to restrain or enjoin the consummation
of the Merger or which would  reasonably  be  expected,  either  alone or in the
aggregate  with  all  such  claims,  actions  or  proceedings,  to have a Parent
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except as set forth in the Last  Parent SEC  Report,
neither Parent nor any of its  subsidiaries is subject to any judgment,  decree,
injunction,  rule or order of any court,  governmental  department,  commission,
agency,  instrumentality  or  authority  or any  arbitrator  which  prohibits or
restricts the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or would have
any Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.9  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT AND PROXY  STATEMENT.  None of the
information  to be  supplied by Parent or its  subsidiaries  or  Affiliates  for
inclusion  in (a) the  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 to be filed under the
Securities  Act with the SEC by Parent in  connection  with the  Merger  for the
purpose of  registering  the shares of Parent  Stock to be issued in  connection
with the Merger (the "REGISTRATION  STATEMENT") or (b) the proxy statement to be
distributed  in connection  with the  Company's  and Parent's  meetings of their
respective  stockholders  to vote  upon  this  Agreement  and  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby (the "PROXY  STATEMENT"  and,  together with the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement, the "JOINT PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS")
will  contain  any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state any
material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not  misleading,  at any of:  (i) the time the  Registration  Statement  (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) is declared effective;  (ii) the time the Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  (or any amendment or  supplement  thereto) is first
mailed to the stockholders of Parent and Company;  (iii) the time of each of the
meetings of the stockholders of Parent and Company to be held in connection with
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement;  and (iv) the Effective Time.
The Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus will, as of its mailing date, comply as to
form in all material respects with all applicable laws, including the provisions
of the  Securities  Act and the  Exchange  Act and  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder,  except  that no  representation  is made by  Parent or
Subsidiary  with  respect  to  information   supplied  by  the  Company  or  the
stockholders  of the  Company  for  inclusion  therein.  For  purposes  of  this
Agreement,  the term  "Affiliate"  means,  when used with respect to a specified
person or entity,  another person or entity that, directly or indirectly through
one or more  intermediaries,  controls or is  controlled  by or is under  common
control with the person or entity specified. For the purpose of this definition,
"control"  means (i) the  ownership  or  control  of more than 50% of the equity
interest  in any  person or entity,  or (ii) the  ability to direct or cause the
direction of the  management or affairs of a person or entity,  whether  through
the direct or indirect ownership of voting interests, by contract or otherwise.

         SECTION  4.10 NO  VIOLATION  OF LAW.  Except as  disclosed  in the Last
Parent SEC Report,  neither Parent nor any of its  subsidiaries  is in violation
of, or has been given  notice or been charged  with any  violation  of, any law,
statute,  order, rule, regulation,  ordinance,  or judgment (including,  without
limitation,

<PAGE>


any applicable  environmental  law, ordinance or regulation) of any governmental
or regulatory body or authority,  except for violations which, in the aggregate,
would not  reasonably  be expected  to have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.
Except  as  disclosed  in the Last  Parent  SEC  Report,  as of the date of this
Agreement,  to the  knowledge  of  Parent,  no  investigation  or  review by any
governmental or regulatory  body or authority is pending or threatened,  nor has
any  governmental  or  regulatory  body or  authority  indicated an intention to
conduct the same,  other than, in each case,  those the outcome of which, as far
as reasonably can be foreseen,  will not have a Parent Material  Adverse Effect.
Parent and its subsidiaries have all permits, licenses,  franchises,  variances,
exemptions, orders and other governmental authorizations, consents and approvals
necessary to conduct their businesses as presently conducted (collectively,  the
"PARENT  PERMITS"),  except  for  permits,  licenses,   franchises,   variances,
exemptions, orders, authorizations, consents and approvals the absence of which,
alone or in the  aggregate,  would not have a Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect.
Parent  and its  subsidiaries  are not in  violation  of the terms of any Parent
Permit, except for delays in filing reports or violations which, alone or in the
aggregate, would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.11  COMPLIANCE  WITH  AGREEMENTS.  Except as disclosed in the
Last Parent SEC Report , each of Parent and its subsidiaries is not in breach or
violation  of or in  default in the  performance  or  observance  of any term or
provision of, and no event has occurred which, with lapse of time or action by a
third party, could result in a default under (a) the respective  certificates of
incorporation,  by-laws or other similar organizational instruments of Parent or
any of its subsidiaries or (b) any contract, commitment,  agreement,  indenture,
mortgage,  loan  agreement,  note,  lease,  bond,  license,  approval  or  other
instrument to which Parent or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any
of them is bound or to which  any of their  properties  or assets  are  subject,
other than, in the case of clause (b) of this Section 4.11, breaches, violations
and defaults which would not have, in the aggregate,  a Parent Material  Adverse
Effect.

         SECTION 4.12 TAXES.

              (a)  Parent  and its  subsidiaries  have (i) duly  filed  with the
         appropriate  governmental  authorities  all Tax  Returns (as defined in
         Section 4.12(c)) required to be filed by them for all periods ending on
         or prior to the  Effective  Time,  other  than  those Tax  Returns  the
         failure  of which to file  would  not  have a Parent  Material  Adverse
         Effect,  and such Tax Returns  were,  as of their  respective  dates of
         filing,  true,  correct and complete in all material  respects and (ii)
         duly paid in full or made  adequate  provision  for the  payment of all
         Taxes (as defined in Section 4.12(b)) for all past and current periods.
         The  liabilities and reserves for Taxes reflected in the Parent balance
         sheet  included in the Last Parent SEC Report are adequate to cover all
         Taxes for all  periods  ending at or prior to the date of such  balance
         sheet and there is no  liability  for  Taxes for any  period  beginning
         after  such date other than  Taxes  arising in the  ordinary  course of
         business.  There are no material  liens for Taxes upon any  property or
         assets of Parent or any subsidiary thereof,  except for liens for Taxes
         not yet due. There are no unresolved  issues of law or fact arising out
         of a notice of deficiency,  proposed  deficiency or assessment from the
         Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or any other  governmental  taxing
         authority   with  respect  to  Taxes  of  the  Parent  or  any  of  its
         subsidiaries  which, if decided adversely,  singly or in the aggregate,
         would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed on the
         Parent  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither Parent nor its  subsidiaries has
         waived any statute of  limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any
         extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency  other
         than  waivers  and  extensions  which are no longer in effect.  Neither
         Parent  nor  any of  its  subsidiaries  is a  party  to  any  agreement
         providing  for the  allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity that
         is not, directly or indirectly,  a corporate subsidiary of Parent other
         than  agreements  the  consequences  of which are fully and  adequately
         reserved for in the Parent Financial Statements. Neither Parent nor any
         of its  corporate  subsidiaries

<PAGE>

         has,  with  regard to any assets or  property  held,  acquired or to be
         acquired by any of them,  filed a consent to the application of Section
         341(f) of the Code.

              (b) For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term "TAXES"  shall mean
         all taxes,  including,  without  limitation,  income,  gross  receipts,
         excise, property, sales, withholding, social security, occupation, use,
         service,  license,  payroll,  franchise,  transfer and recording taxes,
         fees and charges, windfall profits, severance, customs, import, export,
         employment or similar taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments
         imposed by the United States, or any state, local or foreign government
         or  subdivision  or agency  thereof,  whether  computed  on a separate,
         consolidated, unitary, combined or any other basis, and such term shall
         include any interest,  fines,  penalties or additional  amounts and any
         interest in respect of any additions,  fines or penalties  attributable
         or imposed or with respect to any such taxes, charges,  fees, levies or
         other assessments.

              (c) For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term "TAX RETURN"  shall
         mean any return, report or other document or information required to be
         supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.

         SECTION 4.13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA.

              (a) Except as  disclosed  in the Parent SEC  Reports,  at the date
         hereof, Parent and its subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute to or
         have any  obligation  or  liability  to or with respect to any material
         employee  benefit  plans,  programs,  arrangements  or practices  (such
         plans,   programs,   arrangements   or  practices  of  Parent  and  its
         subsidiaries  being  referred  to as  the  "PARENT  PLANS"),  including
         employee  benefit plans within the meaning set forth in Section 3(3) of
         the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of  1974,  as  amended
         ("ERISA"),  or other similar material arrangements for the provision of
         benefits.  Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries  maintains or has
         any financial or funding liability with respect to any  "Multi-employer
         Plan"  within  the  meaning of  Section  3(37) of ERISA or a  "Multiple
         Employer  Plan"  within  the  meaning  of  Section  413(c) of the Code.
         Neither Parent nor any of its subsidiaries has any obligation to create
         or contribute to any  additional  such plan,  program,  arrangement  or
         practice or to amend any such plan, program, arrangement or practice so
         as to increase benefits or contributions thereunder, except as required
         under  the  terms  of  the  Parent  Plans,  under  existing  collective
         bargaining  agreements or to comply with applicable law. Neither Parent
         nor any of its  subsidiaries  has any  obligation  to contribute to any
         plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.

              (b) Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Reports,  (i) there have
         been no  prohibited  transactions  within the meaning of Section 406 or
         407 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the Code with  respect  to any of the
         Parent  Plans  that could  result in  penalties,  taxes or  liabilities
         which, singly or in the aggregate, could have a Parent Material Adverse
         Effect,   (ii)  each  of  the  Parent  Plans  has  been   operated  and
         administered  in all material  respects in accordance  with  applicable
         laws  during the period of time  covered by the  applicable  statute of
         limitations,  (iii) each of the Parent  Plans  which is  intended to be
         "qualified"  within the meaning of Section  401(a) of the Code has been
         determined by the Internal  Revenue Service to be so qualified and such
         determination  has not been modified,  revoked or limited by failure to
         satisfy any condition thereof or by a subsequent amendment thereto or a
         failure to amend,  except that it may be necessary  to make  additional
         amendments  retroactively  to maintain the  "qualified"  status of such
         Parent Plans, and the period for making any such necessary  retroactive
         amendments  has not expired,  (iv) to the best  knowledge of Parent and
         its  subsidiaries,   there  are  no  material  pending,  threatened  or
         anticipated  claims involving any of the Parent Plans other than claims
         for  benefits  in the  ordinary  course,  and (v) no act,  omission  or
         transaction  (individually  or in  the  aggregate)  has  occurred  with
         respect to any Parent  Plan that has


<PAGE>

         resulted or could result in any material liability (direct or indirect)
         of Parent or any  subsidiary  under Sections 409 or 502(c)(i) or (l) of
         ERISA or Chapter 43 of Subtitle  (A) of the Code.  Each Parent Plan can
         be  unilaterally  terminated  by  Parent  or a  subsidiary  at any time
         without material liability, other than for amounts previously reflected
         in the financial  statements (or notes thereto)  included in the Parent
         SEC Reports.

              (c) The Parent SEC Reports contain a true and complete  summary or
         list of or otherwise  describe all material  employment  contracts  and
         other employee benefit arrangements with "change of control" or similar
         provisions and all severance agreements with executive officers.

     SECTION  4.14 LABOR  CONTROVERSIES.  Except as  disclosed in the Parent SEC
Reports, (a) there are no material controversies pending or, to the knowledge of
Parent, threatened between Parent or its subsidiaries and any representatives of
any of their employees and (b) to the knowledge of Parent, there are no material
organizational  efforts  presently  being made  involving  any of the  presently
unorganized   employees  of  Parent  and  its   subsidiaries   except  for  such
controversies  and  organizational  efforts  which,  singly or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.15 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

              (a) Except as disclosed in the Last Parent SEC Report,  (i) Parent
         and its  subsidiaries  have conducted  their  respective  businesses in
         compliance with all applicable  Environmental  Laws (defined in Section
         4.15(b)),  including, without limitation,  having all permits, licenses
         and other approvals and  authorizations  necessary for the operation of
         their respective  businesses as presently  conducted,  (ii) none of the
         properties  owned by  Parent  or any of its  subsidiaries  contain  any
         Hazardous  Substance  (defined  in Section  4.15(c)) as a result of any
         activity of Parent or any of its subsidiaries in amounts  exceeding the
         levels permitted by applicable Environmental Laws, (iii) neither Parent
         nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notices, demand letters or
         requests  for  information  from any Federal,  state,  local or foreign
         governmental entity or third party indicating that Parent or any of its
         subsidiaries may be in violation of, or liable under, any Environmental
         Law in connection with the ownership or operation of their  businesses,
         (iv) there are no civil,  criminal or  administrative  actions,  suits,
         demands, claims, hearings, investigations or proceedings pending or, to
         the  knowledge  of  Parent,  threatened,  against  Parent or any of its
         subsidiaries  relating to any violation,  or alleged violation,  of any
         Environmental  Law, (v) no reports have been filed,  or are required to
         be filed, by Parent or any of its  subsidiaries  concerning the release
         of any Hazardous Substance or the threatened or actual violation of any
         Environmental  Law,  (vi) no Hazardous  Substance has been disposed of,
         released or transported  in violation of any  applicable  Environmental
         Law from any properties owned by Parent or any of its subsidiaries as a
         result of any activity of Parent or any of its subsidiaries  during the
         time such properties were owned, leased or operated by Parent or any of
         its  subsidiaries,   (vii)  no  underground  storage  tanks  have  been
         installed, closed or removed from any properties owned by Parent or any
         of its  subsidiaries  during,  in the case of  Parent,  the  time  such
         properties were owned,  leased or operated by Parent and during, in the
         case of each  subsidiary,  the time such  subsidiary  has been owned by
         Parent,  (viii)  there is no asbestos or asbestos  containing  material
         present in any of the properties owned by Parent and its  subsidiaries,
         and no asbestos has been removed from any of such properties during the
         time such properties were owned, leased or operated by Parent or any of
         its subsidiaries,  and (ix) neither Parent, its subsidiaries nor any of
         their   respective   properties  are  subject  to  any  liabilities  or
         expenditures  (fixed or contingent)  relating to any suit,  settlement,
         court order, administrative order, regulatory requirement,  judgment or
         claim  asserted  or arising  under any  Environmental  Law,  except for
         violations of the foregoing clauses (i) through (ix) that, singly or in
         the  aggregate,  would  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Parent
         Material Adverse Effect.


<PAGE>


              (b) As used herein,  "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means any Federal, state,
         local or foreign  law,  statute,  ordinance,  rule,  regulation,  code,
         license,  permit,  authorization,  approval,  consent,  legal doctrine,
         order, judgment, decree, injunction,  requirement or agreement with any
         governmental  entity  relating to (x) the  protection,  preservation or
         restoration of the environment  (including,  without  limitation,  air,
         water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface
         land,  subsurface  land,  plant and  animal  life or any other  natural
         resource)  or to human  health or safety or (y) the exposure to, or the
         use,  storage,  recycling,   treatment,   generation,   transportation,
         processing,  handling,  labeling,  production,  release or  disposal of
         Hazardous  Substances,  in each case as amended and as in effect on the
         Closing  Date.  The  term   "ENVIRONMENTAL   LAW"   includes,   without
         limitation,  (i)  the  Federal  Comprehensive   Environmental  Response
         Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980,  the Superfund  Amendments and
         Reauthorization  Act, the Federal Water Pollution  Control Act of 1972,
         the Federal  Clean Air Act,  the Federal  Clean Water Act,  the Federal
         Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (including the Hazardous
         and Solid Waste Amendments  thereto),  the Federal Solid Waste Disposal
         Act  and  the  Federal  Toxic  Substances   Control  Act,  the  Federal
         Insecticide,   Fungicide   and   Rodenticide   Act,   and  the  Federal
         Occupational  Safety and Health Act of 1970,  each as amended and as in
         effect  on the  Closing  Date,  and (ii) any  common  law or  equitable
         doctrine  (including,  without  limitation,  injunctive relief and tort
         doctrines such as negligence,  nuisance, trespass and strict liability)
         that may impose  liability or  obligations  for injuries or damages due
         to, or  threatened  as a result  of,  the  presence  of,  effects of or
         exposure to any Hazardous Substance.

              (c) As used  herein,  "HAZARDOUS  SUBSTANCE"  means any  substance
         presently or hereafter  listed,  defined,  designated  or classified as
         hazardous,  toxic,  radioactive,  or dangerous, or otherwise regulated,
         under any Environmental Law. Hazardous Substance includes any substance
         to which  exposure is  regulated  by any  government  authority  or any
         Environmental  Law  including,  without  limitation,  any toxic  waste,
         pollutant, contaminant, hazardous substance, toxic substance, hazardous
         waste,  special  waste,   industrial  substance  or  petroleum  or  any
         derivative  or  by-product  thereof,   radon,   radioactive   material,
         asbestos,  or asbestos  containing  material,  urea  formaldehyde  foam
         insulation, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls.

         SECTION 4.16 TITLE TO ASSETS.  Parent and each of its  subsidiaries has
good and marketable  title in fee simple to all its real property and good title
to all its leasehold  interests  and other owned  properties as reflected in the
most recent balance sheet included in the Parent  Financial  Statements,  except
for such properties and assets that have been disposed of in the ordinary course
of  business  since  the  date of such  balance  sheet,  free  and  clear of all
mortgages,  liens,  pledges,  charges or encumbrances of any nature  whatsoever,
except (i) the lien for current taxes, payments of which are not yet delinquent,
(ii) such imperfections in title and easements and encumbrances,  if any, as are
not  substantial in character,  amount or extent and do not  materially  detract
from the value or interfere with the present use of the property subject thereto
or affected  thereby,  or  otherwise  materially  impair the  Parent's  business
operations  (in the  manner  presently  carried on by the  Parent),  or (iii) as
disclosed  in the Last Parent SEC  Report,  and except for such  matters  which,
singly or in the  aggregate,  could not  reasonably be expected to have a Parent
Material  Adverse  Effect.  All leases  under  which  Parent  leases any real or
personal  property are valid and effective in accordance  with their  respective
terms, and there is not, under any of such leases, any existing default or event
which  with  notice or lapse of time or both would  become a default  other than
failures to be valid and effective  and defaults  under such leases which in the
aggregate will not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION  4.17  REORGANIZATION.  None of the Parent,  Subsidiary  or, to
their knowledge,  any of their Affiliates has taken or agreed or intends to take
any action or has any knowledge of any fact or

<PAGE>


circumstance  that would prevent the Merger from  constituting a  reorganization
qualifying under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code.

         SECTION 4.18 PARENT  STOCKHOLDERS'  APPROVAL.  The affirmative  vote of
stockholders of Parent required for approval of (i) the issuance of Parent Stock
in connection with the Merger (the "Parent Stock Issuance") is a majority of the
total  votes  cast  thereon,  in  person  or  by  proxy  at a  meeting  of  such
stockholders,  by  holders  of Parent  Stock  and  Parent  Class B Common  Stock
entitled  to vote  thereon,  voting  together  as a  single  class  and (ii) the
amendment  to Parent's  Amended and Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  to
increase the authorized Parent Stock to 85,000,000 shares in connection with the
Merger  (the  "Parent  Charter  Amendment")  is a  majority  of the votes of the
outstanding  shares of Parent Stock and Parent Class B Common Stock  entitled to
vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

         SECTION  4.19  BROKERS AND  FINDERS.  Except for the fees and  expenses
payable to  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  and  Hambrecht  & Quist  LLC,  which fees are
reflected in their  respective  agreements  with Parent (a copy of each of which
has been  delivered to the  Company),  Parent has not entered into any contract,
arrangement  or  understanding  with any  person or firm which may result in the
obligation  of  Parent  to pay  any  investment  banking  fees,  finder's  fees,
brokerage or agent  commissions  or other like payments in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         SECTION 4.20 OPINION OF FINANCIAL  ADVISOR.  The  financial  advisor of
Parent, Goldman, Sachs & Co., has rendered a written opinion, dated December 13,
1999,  to the Board of Directors of Parent to the effect that as of December 13,
1999,  the Exchange  Ratio  pursuant to this  Agreement is fair from a financial
point of view to Parent.

         SECTION 4.21 COMPANY  STOCK.  Neither  Parent nor Subsidiary is, nor at
any time during the last three years has it been, an "interested stockholder" of
the Company as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL (other than as contemplated by
this  Agreement).  Neither Parent nor  Subsidiary  owns (directly or indirectly,
beneficially  or of  record)  or is a party  to any  agreement,  arrangement  or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring,  holding, voting or disposing of, in
each  case,  any  shares  of  capital  stock  of  the  Company  (other  than  as
contemplated by this Agreement).

         SECTION  4.22  SECTION  203.  The action of the Board of  Directors  of
Parent in approving this Agreement (and the transactions provided for herein) is
sufficient  to  render  inapplicable  to this  Agreement  (and the  transactions
provided for  herein),  in light of the Voting  Agreement,  dated as of the date
hereof,  among the  Company  and  certain of the  stockholders  of  Parent,  the
restrictions on "business  combinations" (as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL)
as set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL.

                                   ARTICLE V

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         The Company  represents  and  warrants to Parent and  Subsidiary  that,
except as set forth in the  disclosure  schedule dated as of the date hereof and
signed  by an  authorized  officer  of  the  Company  (the  "COMPANY  DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE"),  each of which exceptions shall  specifically  identify the relevant
Section hereof to which it relates:

         SECTION  5.1   ORGANIZATION  AND   QUALIFICATION.   The  Company  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has the requisite  corporate power and authority to
own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as
it is now being  conducted.  The Company is  qualified  to do business and is in
good standing in each  jurisdiction


<PAGE>


in which the  properties  owned,  leased or  operated by it or the nature of the
business  conducted by it makes such qualification  necessary,  except where the
failure to be so qualified  and in good  standing is not  reasonably  likely to,
when  taken  together  with all other  such  failures,  have a Company  Material
Adverse Effect.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  a "COMPANY  MATERIAL  ADVERSE
EFFECT" is any event,  change or effect  that (i) is  materially  adverse to the
business,  operations,  properties,  assets,  condition  (financial or other) or
results of  operations  of the  Company and its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole,
other than any event,  change or effect  resulting  from (a)  changes in general
economic  conditions  (including  United States stock market  conditions) or (b)
changes in the  market  price of the  Company  Common  Stock or Parent  Stock as
reflected  on the Nasdaq  National  Market,  or (ii)  prevents  the Company from
consummating the transactions  contemplated hereby,  including the Merger, prior
to the date specified in Section 9.1(a)(i) hereof.  True,  accurate and complete
copies of the Company's  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  and Amended and
Restated  Bylaws,  in each case as in effect on the date hereof,  including  all
amendments thereto, have heretofore been delivered to Parent.

         SECTION 5.2 CAPITALIZATION.

              (a) The  authorized  capital  stock  of the  Company  consists  of
         15,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock,  1,000,000 shares of Class A
         Common  Stock,  par  value  $.01  per  share  ("COMPANY  CLASS A COMMON
         STOCK"),  and 750,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock,  par value $.01 per
         share,  of which 80,000 shares have been  designated as Series A Junior
         Participating  Preferred Stock ("COMPANY  PREFERRED STOCK").  As of the
         close of  business on  September  30,  1999,  (i)  5,779,720  shares of
         Company  Common  Stock were issued and  outstanding,  (ii) no shares of
         Company Class A Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock were issued and
         outstanding,  (iii) 735,000 shares of Company Common Stock were held in
         the treasury of the Company,  (iv) no shares of Company  Class A Common
         Stock  and no  shares  of  Company  Preferred  Stock  were  held in the
         treasury of the  Company,  (v) 929,904  shares of Company  Common Stock
         were  reserved  for issuance  pursuant to the  exercise of  outstanding
         options to purchase  Company  Common  Stock;  and (vi) 80,000 shares of
         Company  Preferred  Stock were reserved for issuance in connection with
         the rights (the "RIGHTS") to purchase shares of Company Preferred Stock
         issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement,  dated as of January 16, 1997,
         as amended  (the "RIGHTS  AGREEMENT"),  between the Company and LaSalle
         National Bank, as Rights Agent. Between September 30, 1999 and the date
         of this  Agreement,  the  Company  has issued no shares of its  capital
         stock except for 1,117  shares of Company  Common Stock issued upon the
         exercise of options  granted  pursuant to the Company  Option Plans (as
         defined below). As of the date of this Agreement all outstanding shares
         of Company  Common Stock are, and  immediately  prior to the  Effective
         Time all  outstanding  shares of Company  Common Stock will be, validly
         issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  and free of any  preemptive (or
         similar)  right.  As used  herein,  "COMPANY  OPTION  PLANS"  means the
         following,  in each case as amended: the TI Investors Inc. Stock Option
         Plan,  Teltrend Inc.  1995 Stock Option Plan,  Teltrend Inc. 1996 Stock
         Option Plan, and Teltrend Inc. 1997 Non-Employee  Director Stock Option
         Plan.

              (b) Except as disclosed in the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  and
         except for the Rights and the Rights  Agreement,  as of the date hereof
         there  were  no  outstanding   subscriptions,   options,  puts,  calls,
         contracts,  commitments,  understandings,  restrictions,  arrangements,
         rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under
         any  outstanding  security,  instrument  or  other  agreement  and also
         including any rights plan or other anti-takeover agreement,  obligating
         the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to issue, deliver or sell,
         or cause to be  issued,  delivered  or sold,  additional  shares of the
         capital  stock of the  Company  or any  subsidiary  of the  Company  or
         obligating  the  Company  or any  subsidiary  of the  Company to grant,
         extend or enter into any such  agreement  or  commitment.  There are no
         voting trusts,  proxies or other agreements or  understandings to which
         the  Company or any  subsidiary  of the  Company is a party or by which


<PAGE>



         Company or any  subsidiary  of  Company  is bound  with  respect to the
         voting of any  shares of capital  stock of the  Company,  although  the
         Company  has  been  advised,  as of the  date  hereof,  that all of its
         directors  and  executive  officers  intend  to  vote in  favor  of the
         adoption  of this  Agreement,  and,  except as set forth on the Company
         Disclosure  Schedule,  there  are no  registration  rights  or  similar
         agreements  with respect to any shares of capital  stock of the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries.

              (c) Except  for the  Company  Common  Stock,  options to  purchase
         Company  Common Stock  granted  under the Company  Option Plans and the
         Rights,  the Company has  outstanding  no bonds,  debentures,  notes or
         other  obligations or securities the holders of which have the right to
         vote  (or are  convertible  or  exchangeable  into or  exercisable  for
         securities  having the right to vote) with the  stockholders of Company
         on any matter.

         SECTION 5.3 SUBSIDIARIES. Each direct and indirect corporate subsidiary
of the Company is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under
the laws of its  jurisdiction of  incorporation  and has the requisite power and
authority to own,  lease and operate its assets and  properties  and to carry on
its business as it is now being  conducted.  Each  subsidiary  of the Company is
qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which
the  properties  owned,  leased or operated by it or the nature of the  business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary,  except where the failure to
be so qualified and in good standing will not, when taken together with all such
other failures,  have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  All of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each corporate  subsidiary of the Company are validly
issued,  fully paid,  nonassessable  and free of preemptive rights and are owned
directly  or  indirectly  by the  Company  free and clear of any liens,  claims,
encumbrances,  security interests,  equities,  charges and options of any nature
whatsoever. There are no subscriptions,  options, warrants, rights, puts, calls,
contracts,   voting  trusts,  proxies  or  other  commitments,   understandings,
restrictions or arrangements relating to the issuance,  sale, voting,  transfer,
ownership  or other  rights with  respect to any shares of capital  stock of any
corporate  subsidiary  of the  Company,  including  any right of  conversion  or
exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or agreement.

         SECTION 5.4 AUTHORITY; NON-CONTRAVENTION; APPROVALS.

              (a) The Company has full  corporate  power and  authority to enter
         into this Agreement and, subject to the Company Stockholders'  Approval
         (as  defined in Section  7.3(a))  and the  Company  Required  Statutory
         Approvals  (as  defined  in  Section   5.4(c)),   to   consummate   the
         transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of the Company
         has at a meeting duly called and held and at which a quorum was present
         and acting  throughout,  by the affirmative vote of the majority of the
         directors of the Company,  (i)  determined  that this Agreement and the
         Merger are advisable  and in the best  interests of the Company and its
         stockholders,  (ii)  approved  this  Agreement in  accordance  with the
         provisions of the DGCL,  and (iii)  resolved,  in  accordance  with and
         subject to the terms of this Agreement,  to recommend  adoption of this
         Agreement  by  the  Company's   stockholders  and  directed  that  this
         Agreement be submitted for consideration by the Company's stockholders.
         No other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary
         to authorize the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement or, except
         for the Company Stockholders' Approval, the consummation by the Company
         of the transactions  contemplated  hereby. This Agreement has been duly
         executed  and  delivered  by  the  Company,   and,   assuming  the  due
         authorization,  execution and delivery hereof by Parent and Subsidiary,
         constitutes  a valid and  legally  binding  agreement  of the  Company,
         enforceable  against the Company in accordance  with its terms,  except
         that such  enforcement  may be subject to (a)  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
         reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating
         to enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) general equitable
         principles.


<PAGE>


              (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do
         not and will not  violate,  conflict  with or result in a breach of any
         provision of, or  constitute a default (or an event which,  with notice
         or lapse of time or both,  would constitute a default) under, or result
         in the termination  of, or accelerate the  performance  required by, or
         result in a right of termination,  acceleration or amendment  under, or
         result  in the  creation  of any  lien,  security  interest,  charge or
         encumbrance  upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
         (i)   the   certificates   of   incorporation,   by-laws   or   similar
         organizational  documents  of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries,
         (ii) any statute, law, ordinance,  rule, regulation,  judgment, decree,
         order, injunction, writ, permit or license of any court or governmental
         authority  applicable to the Company or any of its  subsidiaries or any
         of their  respective  properties  or assets,  or (iii) any note,  bond,
         mortgage,   indenture,  deed  of  trust,  license,  franchise,  permit,
         concession,   contract,  lease  or  other  instrument,   obligation  or
         agreement  of any kind to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
         is now a party or by which the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or
         any  of  their  respective  properties  or  assets  may be  bound.  The
         consummation  by the Company of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
         will  not  result  in  any  violation,   conflict,   breach,   default,
         termination,  acceleration  or creation of liens or rights under any of
         the terms,  conditions or  provisions  described in clauses (i) through
         (iii) of the preceding sentence,  subject (x) in the case of the terms,
         conditions  or provisions  described in clauses (i) and (ii) above,  to
         obtaining (prior to the Effective Time) the Company Required  Statutory
         Approvals and the Company Stockholders' Approval and (y) in the case of
         the terms, conditions or provisions described in clause (iii) above, to
         obtaining  (prior  to  the  Effective  Time)  consents   required  from
         commercial lenders,  lessors or other third parties as specified in the
         Company Disclosure  Schedule.  Excluded from the foregoing sentences of
         this paragraph (b),  insofar as they apply to the terms,  conditions or
         provisions described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the first sentence of
         this paragraph (b), are such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
         terminations,  accelerations or creations of liens, security interests,
         charges  or  encumbrances  that  would not,  in the  aggregate,  have a
         Company Material Adverse Effect.

              (c) Except for (i) the filings by the Company required by, and the
         expiration or termination of any applicable  waiting period under,  the
         HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  with
         the SEC  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Act,  and (iii) the  making of the
         Merger  Filing with the  Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in
         connection  with the Merger (the filings and  approvals  referred to in
         clauses (i) through (iii) are collectively  referred to as the "COMPANY
         REQUIRED STATUTORY APPROVALS"), no declaration,  filing or registration
         with,  or notice  to, or  authorization,  consent or  approval  of, any
         governmental  or  regulatory  body or authority  is  necessary  for the
         execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  by  the  Company  or the
         consummation by the Company of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
         other  than  such  declarations,   filings,   registrations,   notices,
         authorizations,  consents or approvals  which, if not made or obtained,
         as the  case  may be,  would  not,  in the  aggregate,  have a  Company
         Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION  5.5 REPORTS AND  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  The Company has filed
with the SEC all material forms,  statements,  reports and documents  (including
all post-effective  amendments and supplements  thereto) required to be filed by
it under each of the Securities  Act, the Exchange Act and the respective  rules
and regulations  thereunder,  all of which,  as amended if applicable,  complied
when filed in all material  respects  with all  applicable  requirements  of the
appropriate  act and the rules  and  regulations  thereunder.  The  Company  has
previously  delivered to Parent copies  (including all exhibits,  post-effective
amendments and  supplements  thereto) of its (a) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for
the year ended July 31, 1999, and for the immediately  preceding fiscal year, as
filed with the SEC,  (b) proxy and  information  statements  relating to (i) all
meetings of its  stockholders  (whether  annual or special)  and (ii) actions by
written consent in lieu of a stockholders'  meeting from January 1, 1997,  until
the date hereof, and (c) all

<PAGE>


other reports, including quarterly reports, and registration statements filed by
the  Company  with the SEC  since  January  1,  1997  (other  than  registration
statements filed on Form S-8) (the documents referred to in clauses (a), (b) and
(c) filed prior to the date hereof are collectively  referred to as the "COMPANY
SEC REPORTS").  The Company SEC Reports are identified on the Company Disclosure
Schedule.  As of  their  respective  filing  dates  (and,  in  the  case  of any
registration  statement,  the  date on  which it was  declared  effective),  the
Company SEC Reports did not contain any untrue  statement of a material  fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not  misleading.   The  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  and
unaudited interim  consolidated  financial statements of the Company included in
the Company SEC Reports (collectively,  the "COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS") have
been prepared in accordance  with United States  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or
in the  notes  thereto)  and  fairly  present,  in all  material  respects,  the
financial  position of the Company and its  subsidiaries as of the dates thereof
and the results of their  operations  and their cash flows for the periods  then
ended,  subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial  statements,  to
normal  year-end  and  audit  adjustments  and any other  adjustments  described
therein.

         SECTION 5.6 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except as disclosed in
the  Company  SEC  Reports or as  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  neither the
Company nor any of its  subsidiaries had at July 31, 1999, or has incurred since
that date, any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent
or  otherwise)  of  any  nature,   except  (a)   liabilities,   obligations   or
contingencies (i) which are accrued or reserved against in the Company Financial
Statements or reflected in the notes  thereto or (ii) which were incurred  after
July 31,  1999,  and were  incurred  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and
consistent with past practices,  (b)  liabilities,  obligations or contingencies
which (i) would not, in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or
(ii) have been  discharged  or paid in full  prior to the date  hereof,  and (c)
liabilities and  obligations  which are of a nature not required to be reflected
in the  consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and its  subsidiaries
prepared  in  accordance  with  United  States  generally  accepted   accounting
principles  consistently  applied and which were incurred in the ordinary course
of business.

         SECTION 5.7 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Since the date of the
balance sheet  included in the most recently filed Company SEC Report (the "LAST
COMPANY SEC REPORT")  that  contains  consolidated  financial  statements of the
Company,  there has not been any Company  Material  Adverse  Effect,  other than
changes  that affect the  industries  in which the Company and its  subsidiaries
operate generally.

         SECTION 5.8  LITIGATION.  Except as  disclosed  in the Last Company SEC
Report or the Company Disclosure Schedule,  there are no claims,  suits, actions
or proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,  threatened against
the  Company  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries,  before  any  court,  governmental
department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator,
that seek to restrain the  consummation of the Merger or which would  reasonably
be expected,  either alone or in the aggregate with all such claims,  actions or
proceedings,  to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Except as set forth in
the Last Company SEC Report,  neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is
subject  to any  judgment,  decree,  injunction,  rule or  order  of any  court,
governmental department,  commission,  agency,  instrumentality or authority, or
any  arbitrator,   which   prohibits  or  restricts  the   consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby or would have any  Company  Material  Adverse
Effect.

         SECTION 5.9  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT AND PROXY  STATEMENT.  None of the
information to be supplied by the Company or its  subsidiaries or Affiliates for
inclusion  in (a) the  Registration  Statement or (b) the Proxy  Statement  will
contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein,  in the light of the

<PAGE>

circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, at any of: (i) the time
the Registration  Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is declared
effective; (ii) the time the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment
or  supplement  thereto)  is first  mailed to the  stockholders  of  Parent  and
Company;  (iii) the time of each of the meetings of the  stockholders  of Parent
and Company to be held in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement; and (iv) the Effective Time. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as
it relates to the meeting of the Company's stockholders to be held in connection
with the transactions  contemplated hereby, will comply, as of its mailing date,
as to form in all material  respects  with all  applicable  laws,  including the
applicable  provisions of the  Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, except that no representation is made by
the Company with respect to  information  supplied by Parent,  Subsidiary or any
stockholder or Affiliate of Parent for inclusion therein.

         SECTION  5.10 NO  VIOLATION  OF LAW.  Except as  disclosed  in the Last
Company SEC  Report,  neither  the  Company  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is in
violation  of, or has been given notice or been charged with any  violation  of,
any law, statute,  order, rule,  regulation,  ordinance or judgment  (including,
without limitation,  any applicable  environmental law, ordinance or regulation)
of any  governmental  or  regulatory  body or authority,  except for  violations
which,  in the  aggregate,  could not  reasonably  be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.  Except as disclosed in the Last Company SEC Report, as
of the date of this Agreement, to the knowledge of the Company, no investigation
or review by any  governmental  or  regulatory  body or  authority is pending or
threatened,  nor has any governmental or regulatory body or authority  indicated
an intention to conduct the same, other than, in each case, those the outcome of
which,  as far as reasonably can be foreseen,  will not have a Company  Material
Adverse Effect.  The Company and its  subsidiaries  have all permits,  licenses,
franchises, variances, exemptions, orders and other governmental authorizations,
consents  and  approvals  necessary  to conduct  their  businesses  as presently
conducted (collectively,  the "COMPANY PERMITS"),  except for permits, licenses,
franchises,   variances,   exemptions,  orders,  authorizations,   consents  and
approvals  the  absence of which,  alone or in the  aggregate,  would not have a
Company  Material  Adverse Effect.  The Company and its  subsidiaries are not in
violation  of the  terms of any  Company  Permit,  except  for  delays in filing
reports or violations which, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.11  COMPLIANCE  WITH  AGREEMENTS.  Except as disclosed in the
Last  Company SEC Report,  each of the  Company and its  subsidiaries  is not in
breach or violation of or in default in the  performance  or  observance  of any
term or  provision  of, and no event has occurred  which,  with lapse of time or
action by a third party,  could result in a default  under,  (a) the  respective
certificates of incorporation,  by-laws or similar organizational instruments of
the  Company  or any of  its  subsidiaries  or  (b)  any  contract,  commitment,
agreement,  indenture,  mortgage,  loan agreement,  note, lease, bond,  license,
approval or other  instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of their  properties or
assets are subject,  other than, in the case of clause (b) of this Section 5.11,
breaches,  violations  and defaults  which would not have, in the  aggregate,  a
Company Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION  5.12 TAXES.  The Company and its  subsidiaries  have as of the
date  hereof  and will have as of the  Effective  Time (i) duly  filed  with the
appropriate  governmental  authorities  all Tax Returns  required to be filed by
them for all periods ending on or prior to the Effective Time,  other than those
Tax  Returns  the  failure  of which to file  would not have a Company  Material
Adverse Effect,  and such Tax Returns were, as of their respective filing dates,
true, correct and complete in all material respects,  and (ii) duly paid in full
or made adequate provision for the payment of all Taxes for all past and current
periods. The liabilities and reserves for Taxes reflected in the Company balance
sheet  included in the Last  Company SEC Report are  adequate to cover all Taxes
for all periods  ending at or prior to the date of such balance  sheet and there
is no liability  for Taxes for any period  beginning  after such date other than
Taxes arising in


<PAGE>


the ordinary course of business.  There are no material liens for Taxes upon any
property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary thereof, except for liens for
Taxes not yet due. There are no unresolved  issues of law or fact arising out of
a notice of deficiency,  proposed  deficiency or assessment  from the IRS or any
other governmental  taxing authority with respect to Taxes of the Company or any
of its  subsidiaries  which, if decided  adversely,  singly or in the aggregate,
would have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the Company nor its  subsidiaries  has waived any
statute of  limitations  in respect of Taxes or agreed to any  extension of time
with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency other than waivers and extensions
which are no longer in  effect.  Except as set forth in the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule,  neither  the Company  nor any of its  subsidiaries  is a party to any
agreement  providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity that
is not, directly or indirectly,  a wholly-owned  corporate subsidiary of Company
other  than  agreements  the  consequences  of which are  fully  and  adequately
reserved for in the Company Financial Statements. Neither the Company nor any of
its  corporate  subsidiaries  has,  with regard to any assets or property  held,
acquired or to be acquired by any of them, filed a consent to the application of
Section 341(f) of the Code.

         SECTION 5.13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA.

              (a) Except as disclosed  in the Company SEC  Reports,  at the date
         hereof,  the Company and its subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute
         to or have  any  obligation  or  liability  to or with  respect  to any
         material  employee benefit plans,  programs,  arrangements or practices
         (such plans, programs, arrangements or practices of the Company and its
         subsidiaries  being  referred  to as the  "COMPANY  PLANS"),  including
         employee  benefit plans within the meaning set forth in Section 3(3) of
         ERISA,  or other  similar  material  arrangements  for the provision of
         benefits.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries maintains or
         has  any   financial   or  funding   liability   with  respect  to  any
         "Multi-employer  Plan" within the meaning of Section  3(37) of ERISA or
         "Multiple  Employer  Plan" within the meaning of Section  413(c) of the
         Code.  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  of  its  subsidiaries  has  any
         obligation  to  create  or  contribute  to any  additional  such  plan,
         program,  arrangement  or practice or to amend any such plan,  program,
         arrangement  or practice so as to  increase  benefits or  contributions
         thereunder,  except as required  under the terms of the Company  Plans,
         under  existing  collective  bargaining  agreements  or to comply  with
         applicable law. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
         obligation to contribute to any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.

              (b) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, (i) there have
         been no  prohibited  transactions  within the meaning of Section 406 or
         407 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the Code with  respect  to any of the
         Company  Plans that could  result in  penalties,  taxes or  liabilities
         which,  singly  or in the  aggregate,  could  have a  Company  Material
         Adverse  Effect,  (ii) each of the Company  Plans has been operated and
         administered  in all material  respects in accordance  with  applicable
         laws  during the period of time  covered by the  applicable  statute of
         limitations,  (iii) each of the  Company  Plans which is intended to be
         "qualified"  within the meaning of Section  401(a) of the Code has been
         determined by the Internal  Revenue Service to be so qualified and such
         determination  has not been modified,  revoked or limited by failure to
         satisfy any condition thereof or by a subsequent amendment thereto or a
         failure to amend,  except that it may be necessary  to make  additional
         amendments  retroactively  to maintain the  "qualified"  status of such
         Company Plans, and the period for making any such necessary retroactive
         amendments  has not expired,  (iv) to the best knowledge of the Company
         and its  subsidiaries,  there are no material  pending,  threatened  or
         anticipated claims involving any of the Company Plans other than claims
         for  benefits  in the  ordinary  course,  and (v) no act,  omission  or
         transaction  (individually  or in  the  aggregate)  has  occurred  with
         respect to any Company  Plan that has  resulted or could  result in any
         material   liability  (direct  or  indirect)  of  the  Company  or  any
         subsidiary  under  Sections 409 or 502(c)(i) or (l) of ERISA or Chapter
         43 of  Subtitle  (A) of the Code.  Except  as set forth in the  Company
         Disclosure Schedule,  each Company

<PAGE>

         Plan can be  unilaterally  terminated by the Company or a subsidiary at
         any time without material liability,  other than for amounts previously
         reflected in the financial  statements (or notes  thereto)  included in
         the Company SEC Reports.

              (c) The Company SEC Reports,  together with the Company Disclosure
         Schedule,  contain a true and complete  summary or list of or otherwise
         describe all material  employment  contracts and other employee benefit
         arrangements  with  "change of control" or similar  provisions  and all
         severance agreements with executive officers.

              (d) There are no agreements  which will or may provide payments to
         any officer,  employee,  stockholder,  or highly compensated individual
         which will be  "parachute  payments"  under Code  Section 280G that are
         nondeductible  to the Company or subject to tax under Code Section 4999
         for which the  Company or any ERISA  Affiliate  would have  withholding
         liability.

         SECTION  5.14 LABOR  CONTROVERSIES.  Except as disclosed in the Company
SEC  Reports,  (a)  there  are no  material  controversies  pending  or,  to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened between the Company or its subsidiaries and
any  representatives  of any of their  employees and (b) to the knowledge of the
Company,  there are no  material  organizational  efforts  presently  being made
involving  any of the  presently  unorganized  employees  of the  Company or its
subsidiaries,  except for such controversies and organizational  efforts, which,
singly or in the  aggregate,  could not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION  5.15  ENVIRONMENTAL  MATTER.  Except as  disclosed in the Last
Company SEC Report or on the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  (i) the Company and
its subsidiaries  have conducted their respective  businesses in compliance with
all applicable  Environmental Laws,  including,  without limitation,  having all
permits,  licenses and other  approvals  and  authorizations  necessary  for the
operation of their respective  businesses as presently  conducted,  (ii) none of
the  properties  owned by the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  contain  any
Hazardous  Substance  as a result of any  activity  of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries   in  amounts   exceeding   the  levels   permitted  by  applicable
Environmental  Laws,  (iii) neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries has
received  any  notices,  demand  letters or requests  for  information  from any
Federal,  state, local or foreign  governmental entity or third party indicating
that the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  may be in violation  of, or liable
under,  any  Environmental  Law in connection with the ownership or operation of
their businesses,  (iv) there are no civil, criminal or administrative  actions,
suits, demands, claims,  hearings,  investigations or proceedings pending or, to
the  knowledge  of the  Company,  threatened  against  the Company or any of its
subsidiaries   relating  to  any  violation,   or  alleged  violation,   of  any
Environmental  Law, (v) no reports have been filed, or are required to be filed,
by the  Company  or  any  of its  subsidiaries  concerning  the  release  of any
Hazardous  Substance or the threatened or actual violation of any  Environmental
Law, (vi) no Hazardous  Substance has been disposed of,  released or transported
in violation of any applicable  Environmental  Law from any properties  owned by
the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  as a result  of any  activity  of the
Company or any of its  subsidiaries  during the time such properties were owned,
leased  or  operated  by  the  Company  or any of  its  subsidiaries,  (vii)  no
underground  storage  tanks  have been  installed,  closed or  removed  from any
properties owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries  during,  in the case
of the Company,  the time such properties were owned,  leased or operated by the
Company and during, in the case of each subsidiary, the time such subsidiary has
been owned by the Company,  (viii)  there is no asbestos or asbestos  containing
material  present  in  any of the  properties  owned  by  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries,  and no  asbestos  has been  removed  from any of such  properties
during the time such properties were owned, leased or operated by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries,  and (ix) neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any
of their  respective  properties  are  subject to any  material  liabilities  or
expenditures  (fixed or  contingent)  relating  to any suit,  settlement,  court
order, administrative order, regulatory requirement,  judgment or claim asserted
or arising

<PAGE>

under any Environmental  Law, except for violations of the foregoing clauses (i)
through (ix) that,  singly or in the aggregate,  either (A) would not reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or (B) would not otherwise
cause the Company to incur or otherwise  become  responsible  for liabilities or
expenditures in excess of $4.0 million.

         SECTION 5.16 TITLE TO ASSETS.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries
has good and  marketable  title in fee simple to all its real  property and good
title to all its leasehold interests and other owned properties, as reflected in
the most recent  balance  sheet  included in the Company  Financial  Statements,
except for  properties  and assets that have been  disposed  of in the  ordinary
course of business since the date of such balance  sheet,  free and clear of all
mortgages,  liens,  pledges,  charges or encumbrances of any nature  whatsoever,
except (i) the lien for current taxes, payments of which are not yet delinquent,
(ii) such imperfections in title and easements and encumbrances,  if any, as are
not  substantial in character,  amount or extent and do not  materially  detract
from the value,  or  interfere  with the  present  use of the  property  subject
thereto or  affected  thereby,  or  otherwise  materially  impair the  Company's
business operations (in the manner presently carried on by the Company) or (iii)
as disclosed in the Last Company SEC Report,  and except for such matters which,
singly or in the  aggregate,  could not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material  Adverse  Effect.  All  leases  under  which the  Company or any of its
subsidiaries  leases any real or personal  property  are valid and  effective in
accordance  with their  respective  terms,  and there is not,  under any of such
leases, any existing default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would  become a  default,  other than  failures  to be valid and  effective  and
defaults  under  such  leases  which in the  aggregate  will not have a  Company
Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.17 REORGANIZATION.  Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge
of the Company, any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed or intends to take any
action or has any knowledge of any fact or  circumstance  that would prevent the
Merger from  constituting a  reorganization  qualifying  under the provisions of
Section 368(a) of the Code.

         SECTION 5.18 COMPANY  STOCKHOLDERS'  APPROVAL.  The affirmative vote of
stockholders  of the  Company  required  for  adoption  of this  Agreement  is a
majority of the  outstanding  shares of Company  Common  Stock  entitled to vote
thereon.

         SECTION  5.19  BROKERS AND  FINDERS.  Except for the fees and  expenses
payable to Soundview Technology Group, which fees are reflected in its agreement
with the Company (a copy of which has been delivered to Parent), the Company has
not entered into any contract,  arrangement or understanding  with any person or
firm which may result in the  obligation  of the  Company to pay any  investment
banking  fees,  finder's  fees,  brokerage  or agent  commissions  or other like
payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

         SECTION 5.20 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The financial advisor of the
Company, Soundview Technology Group, has rendered a written opinion to the Board
of  Directors of the Company,  dated  December 13, 1999,  to the effect that the
Exchange Ratio pursuant to this Agreement is fair from a financial point of view
to the stockholders of the Company.

         SECTION 5.21 SECTION 203. Assuming the accuracy of the representation
and warranty set forth in Section 4.21,  the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company in  approving  this  Agreement  (and the  transactions  provided for
herein)  is  sufficient  to  render  inapplicable  to this  Agreement  (and  the
transactions  provided for herein) the  restrictions on "business  combinations"
(as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL) as set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL.

         SECTION  5.22  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT.  The  Company  has amended the Rights
Agreement to ensure that (a) none of a "Flip-In Event," a "Distribution Date" or
a "Stock  Acquisition  Date" (in each case as defined  in the Rights  Agreement)
will  occur,  and none of Parent,  Subsidiary  or any of their  "Affiliates"  or
"Associates" will be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" (in each case as defined
in the  Rights  Agreement),  by reason of the  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement or the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and (b)
the Rights will expire immediately prior to the Effective Time.

         SECTION  5.23  NO  RECENT  NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  AFFILIATES.  None of the
Company, any of its subsidiaries,  or any of its directors or officers has, and,
to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  no  other  employee  of,  or any  attorney,
accountant, investment banker, financial advisor or other agent retained by, the
Company  or any of  its  subsidiaries  has,  initiated,  solicited,  negotiated,
knowingly  encouraged or provided  non-public  or  confidential  information  to
facilitate any proposal or offer with respect to an Acquisition  Transaction (as
defined in Section 6.3) with or to any  "affiliate"  of the Company or any group
of which, to the Company's knowledge, any "affiliate" of the Company is a member
within the twelve months prior to the date hereof. As used in this Section 5.23,
(i) "affiliate"  has the meaning  assigned to it in Section 7.4 and (ii) "group"
has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

         SECTION 6.1  CONDUCT OF  BUSINESS  BY THE  COMPANY  PENDING THE MERGER.
Except as otherwise  contemplated  by this Agreement or disclosed in Section 6.1
of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  after the date  hereof  and prior to the
Closing  Date or earlier  termination  of this  Agreement,  unless  Parent shall
otherwise agree in writing,  the Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries
to:

              (a) use their  respective best efforts to conduct their respective
         businesses in the ordinary and usual course of business and  consistent
         with past practice;

              (b)  not  (i)  amend  or   propose  to  amend   their   respective
         certificates  of  incorporation,  by-laws  or other  similar  governing
         documents,  (ii) split, combine or reclassify their outstanding capital
         stock or (iii) declare,  set aside or pay any dividend or  distribution
         payable in cash, stock,  property or otherwise,  except for the payment
         of dividends  or  distributions  by a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
         Company;

              (c) not  issue,  sell,  pledge or  dispose  of, or agree to issue,
         sell,  pledge or dispose of, any additional  shares of, or any options,
         warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, their  capital
         stock of any class or any debt or equity securities convertible into or
         exchangeable for such capital stock,  except that the Company may issue
         (i) shares upon  conversion of  convertible  securities and exercise of
         options  and  warrants  outstanding  on the  date  hereof  (or  granted
         hereafter in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) in accordance
         with their terms or pursuant to the Rights  Agreement  and (ii) options
         to purchase up to 25,000  shares of Company  Common  Stock to employees
         who are hired by the  Company  after the date  hereof  and prior to the
         Closing Date,  provided,  however,  that all options referenced in this
         clause  (ii) shall be issued  under the  Company  Option  Plans and the
         vesting  of all such  options  shall not be  accelerated  or  otherwise
         modified as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby;

              (d) not (i) incur or become  contingently  liable with  respect to
         any  indebtedness  for borrowed  money other than (A) borrowings in the
         ordinary  course of business or (B)  borrowings  to


<PAGE>

         refinance   existing   indebtedness   on  terms  which  are  reasonably
         acceptable  to  Parent,  (ii)  redeem,  purchase,  acquire  or offer to
         purchase  or acquire any shares of its  capital  stock or any  options,
         warrants or rights to acquire any of its capital  stock or any security
         convertible into or exchangeable  for its capital stock,  (iii) take or
         fail to take any action  which  action or failure to take action  would
         cause the  Company or its  stockholders  (except to the extent that any
         stockholders  receive cash in lieu of  fractional  shares and except to
         the extent of stockholders in special  circumstances) to recognize gain
         or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the consummation
         of the Merger or would  otherwise  cause the Merger not to qualify as a
         reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, (iv) make any acquisition
         of any assets or businesses other than  expenditures for current assets
         in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  expenditures  for fixed or
         capital assets in the ordinary  course of business and consistent  with
         the Company's  capital  budget  disclosed in Section 6.1 of the Company
         Disclosure  Schedule,  (v) sell,  pledge,  dispose of or  encumber  any
         material  assets or businesses  other than sales in the ordinary course
         of  business,  (vi)  except  as  otherwise  permitted  pursuant  to the
         provisions hereof,  take any action which would be reasonably likely to
         prevent the Company from (A) obtaining any Company Statutory Approvals,
         (B) performing its covenants and agreements  under this  Agreement,  or
         (C) consummating the transactions  contemplated  hereby, or (vii) enter
         into any binding  contract,  agreement,  commitment or arrangement with
         respect to any of the foregoing;

              (e) use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their respective
         business  organizations  and goodwill,  keep  available the services of
         their respective  present officers and key employees,  and preserve the
         goodwill and business  relationships  with  customers and others having
         business relationships with them and not engage in any action, directly
         or  indirectly,  with the intent to adversely  impact the  transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement;

              (f)  not  enter  into  or  amend  in  any  material   respect  any
         employment,   severance,   special  pay  arrangement  with  respect  to
         termination of employment or other similar  arrangements  or agreements
         with any directors,  officers or key employees,  except in the ordinary
         course and consistent with past practice (it being expressly understood
         that the interpretation and administration of any such arrangement by a
         duly authorized  administrator or  administrative  body consistent with
         the terms  thereof  shall not  constitute a breach  hereof);  provided,
         however,  that the Company and its subsidiaries shall in no event enter
         into any written employment agreement, except for employment agreements
         entered into with new  employees of Theta Limited and then only so long
         as (i) such  employment  agreements  are entered  into in the  ordinary
         course  of  business  and  consistent  with past  practices,  (ii) such
         employment  agreements contain terms and provisions comparable to those
         applicable  to  current   employees  of  Theta  Limited  in  comparable
         positions,  and (iii) if the employees with whom Theta Limited  intends
         to enter written agreements will hold positions at or above the Product
         Marketing  Manager  level,  then  such  new  employees  may  only  fill
         positions  which are vacated or up to three  additional  newly  created
         positions;

              (g) not adopt,  enter into or amend in any  material  respect  any
         bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option, pension, retirement,
         deferred  compensation,  health  care,  employment  or  other  employee
         benefit plan, agreement,  trust, fund or arrangement for the benefit or
         welfare of any  employee or retiree,  except as required to comply with
         changes  in  applicable  law (it being  expressly  understood  that the
         interpretation  and administration of any such plan or arrangement by a
         duly authorized  administrator or  administrative  body consistent with
         the terms  thereof  shall not  constitute a breach  hereof),  provided,
         however,  that the Company may make such  amendments  to certain of its
         outstanding option agreements as required by Section 7.12;


<PAGE>


              (h)  use   commercially   reasonable   efforts  to  maintain  with
         financially  responsible  insurance companies insurance on its tangible
         assets and its  businesses  in such  amounts and against such risks and
         losses as are consistent with past practice; and

              (i) not implement any change in accounting  principles,  practices
         or methods,  other than as may be required by United  States  generally
         accepted  accounting  principles,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards
         Board, the SEC or any other government  authority or oversight  agency;
         and

              (j) not make,  change or revoke any  material Tax election or make
         any material  agreement or settlement  regarding  Taxes with any taxing
         authority.

         SECTION 6.2 CONDUCT OF  BUSINESS BY PARENT AND  SUBSIDIARY  PENDING THE
MERGER.  Except as  otherwise  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  after the date
hereof and prior to the Closing Date or earlier  termination of this  Agreement,
unless the Company shall  otherwise  agree in writing,  Parent shall,  and shall
cause its subsidiaries to:

              (a) use their  respective best efforts to conduct their respective
         businesses in the ordinary and usual course of business and  consistent
         with past practice;

              (b)  not  (i)  amend  or   propose  to  amend   their   respective
         certificates  of  incorporation  (except for the amendment by Parent of
         its Amended and Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation to increase the
         number of  authorized  shares of Parent  Stock as  contemplated  by the
         Parent Charter Amendment), by-laws or similar organizational documents,
         (ii)  split,  combine  or  reclassify  (whether  by stock  dividend  or
         otherwise) their outstanding capital stock, or (iii) declare, set aside
         or pay any dividend or distribution payable in cash, stock, property or
         otherwise,  except for the payment of dividends or  distributions  by a
         wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent;

              (c) not  issue,  sell,  pledge or  dispose  of, or agree to issue,
         sell,  pledge or dispose of, any additional  shares of, or any options,
         warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, their  capital
         stock of any class or any debt or equity securities convertible into or
         exchangeable  for such capital stock,  except that (i) Parent may issue
         shares  upon  conversion  of  convertible  securities  and  exercise of
         options  outstanding on the date hereof in accordance with their terms,
         (ii) Parent may issue options to purchase Parent Stock (and shares upon
         exercise of such options)  pursuant to its employee  stock option plans
         in  effect  on the date  hereof in the  ordinary  course  of  business,
         consistent with past practices and in an aggregate amount not to exceed
         2,000,000  shares of Parent  Stock  subject  thereto,  (iii) Parent may
         issue  shares  in  accordance  with  the  terms of its  Employee  Stock
         Purchase  Plan in effect  as of the date  hereof,  and (iv)  Conference
         Plus,  Inc.,  a  subsidiary  of Parent,  may issue  options to purchase
         shares of its common stock (the "CPI COMMON  STOCK") (and shares of CPI
         Common  Stock upon  exercise of such options in  accordance  with their
         terms)  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  consistent  with  past
         practices, and in an aggregate amount not to exceed 5,000 shares of CPI
         Common Stock.

              (d) not (i) incur or become  contingently  liable with  respect to
         any  indebtedness  for borrowed  money other than (A) borrowings in the
         ordinary  course of business or (B)  borrowings  to refinance  existing
         indebtedness  on terms which are reasonably  acceptable to the Company,
         (ii)  redeem,  purchase,  acquire or offer to  purchase  or acquire any
         shares  of its  capital  stock or any  options,  warrants  or rights to
         acquire any of its capital  stock or any security  convertible  into or
         exchangeable  for its  capital  stock,  (iii)  take or fail to take any
         action which action or failure to take action would cause Parent or its
         stockholders or Company's  stockholders  (except to the extent that any
         Company  stockholders  receive  cash in lieu of  fractional  shares) to
         recognize  gain or loss for


<PAGE>


         federal  income tax  purposes  as a result of the  consummation  of the
         Merger  or  would  otherwise  cause  the  Merger  not to  qualify  as a
         reorganization  under  Section  368 of the  Code,  (iv)  sell,  pledge,
         dispose of or encumber any  material  assets or  businesses  other than
         sales in the ordinary  course of business,  (v) make any acquisition of
         any assets or businesses other than  expenditures for current assets in
         the ordinary course of business and  expenditures  for fixed or capital
         assets in the  ordinary  course of  business,  (vi) except as otherwise
         permitted  pursuant to the  provisions  hereof,  take any action  which
         would be reasonably  likely to prevent  Parent or  Subsidiary  from (A)
         obtaining the Parent Statutory Approvals,  (B) performing its covenants
         and  agreements   under  this  Agreement,   or  (C)   consummating  the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or (vii)  enter  into any  binding
         contract,  agreement,  commitment or arrangement with respect to any of
         the foregoing;

              (e) use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their respective
         business  organizations  and goodwill,  keep  available the services of
         their respective  present officers and key employees,  and preserve the
         goodwill and business  relationships  with  customers and others having
         business relationships with them and not engage in any action, directly
         or  indirectly,  with the intent to adversely  impact the  transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement;

              (f) not implement any change in accounting  principles,  practices
         or methods,  other than as may be required by United  States  generally
         accepted  accounting  principles,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards
         Board, the SEC or any other governmental authority or oversight agency;
         and

              (g)  use   commercially   reasonable   efforts  to  maintain  with
         financially  responsible  insurance companies insurance on its tangible
         assets and its  businesses  in such  amounts and against such risks and
         losses as are consistent with past practice.

         SECTION 6.3 ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS.

              (a)  After the date  hereof  and  prior to the  Effective  Time or
         earlier termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall
         not permit any of its subsidiaries to,  initiate,  solicit,  negotiate,
         knowingly encourage or provide confidential  information to facilitate,
         and the Company  shall,  and shall cause each of its  subsidiaries  to,
         cause  any  officer,   director  or  employee  of,  or  any   attorney,
         accountant,   investment  banker,  financial  advisor  or  other  agent
         retained  by  it,  not  to  initiate,  solicit,  negotiate,   knowingly
         encourage  or  provide   non-public  or  confidential   information  to
         facilitate,  any  proposal or offer to acquire  all or any  substantial
         part of the business and properties of the Company or any capital stock
         of the Company,  whether by merger, purchase of assets, tender offer or
         otherwise,  whether for cash,  securities or any other consideration or
         combination thereof (any such transaction (other than the Merger) being
         referred to herein as an "ACQUISITION TRANSACTION").

              (b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of paragraph (a) above,  the
         Company  may,  in  response  to  an  unsolicited  written  proposal  or
         indication  of  interest  with  respect  to  a  potential  or  proposed
         Acquisition Transaction ("ACQUISITION  PROPOSAL"),  furnish (subject to
         the execution of a confidentiality  agreement and standstill  agreement
         containing  provisions not more favorable than the  confidentiality and
         standstill provisions of the Confidentiality  Agreements, as defined in
         Section 10.4)  confidential or non-public  information to a financially
         capable  corporation,  partnership,  person or other entity or group (a
         "POTENTIAL ACQUIRER") and negotiate with such Potential Acquirer if the
         Board of  Directors  of the Company in good faith,  after  consultation
         with its outside legal counsel,  determines that the failure to provide
         such  confidential or non-public  information to or negotiate with such
         Potential  Acquirer would  constitute a breach of its fiduciary

<PAGE>

         duty to the Company's  stockholders.  It is understood  and agreed that
         negotiations  conducted in accordance with this paragraph (b) shall not
         constitute  a violation  of  paragraph  (a) of this  Section  6.3.  The
         Company and its  subsidiaries  have  ceased,  and have  directed all of
         their respective officers, directors, employees, financial advisors and
         other agents or representatives  to cease, all activities,  discussions
         or  negotiations,  if any,  with  any  persons  or  entities  conducted
         heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposals.

              (c) The Company shall notify Parent as soon as  practicable  after
         (i) the  Company  has  received  any  Acquisition  Proposal,  (ii)  the
         Company's  Board of Directors or its chief  executive  officer or chief
         financial  officer  has  actual  knowledge  that any  person  or entity
         intends  to make an  Acquisition  Proposal,  or (iii) the  Company  has
         received any request for nonpublic  information relating to the Company
         or its  subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition  Proposal or for
         access  to the  properties,  books or  records  of the  Company  or any
         subsidiary  by any person or entity that informs the Board of Directors
         of the Company or such subsidiary that it is considering making, or has
         made,  an  Acquisition  Proposal.  Such notice to Parent  shall be made
         orally and in  writing  and shall  indicate  in  reasonable  detail the
         identity of the offeror and the terms and  conditions of such proposal,
         inquiry or contact.  The Company will keep Parent fully informed of the
         status and details of any such Acquisition Proposal or request.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         SECTION 7.1 ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

              (a) The Company and its  subsidiaries  shall  afford to Parent and
         Subsidiary  and  their  respective  accountants,   counsel,   financial
         advisors and other  representatives (the "PARENT  REPRESENTATIVES") and
         Parent  and  its  subsidiaries  shall  afford  to the  Company  and its
         accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives (the
         "COMPANY   REPRESENTATIVES")   access  at  reasonably  scheduled  times
         throughout  the  period  prior  to the  Effective  Time to all of their
         respective  properties,  books,  contracts,   commitments  and  records
         (including,  but not limited to, Tax Returns) and,  during such period,
         shall  furnish  promptly  to one  another  (i) a copy of  each  report,
         schedule and other  document  filed or received by any of them pursuant
         to the requirements of federal or state securities laws or filed by any
         of them with the SEC throughout the period prior to the Effective Time,
         (ii) a copy of each notice or other communication from any governmental
         or regulatory  agency or authority in connection with the  transactions
         contemplated  by this  Agreement,  and  (iii)  such  other  information
         concerning  their  respective  businesses,  properties and personnel as
         Parent  or  Subsidiary  or the  Company,  as the  case  may  be,  shall
         reasonably  request;  provided,  however,  that  (A)  no  investigation
         pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall amend or modify any  representations
         or warranties  made herein or the conditions to the  obligations of the
         respective  parties  to  consummate  the  Merger  and (B) no  access or
         disclosure  shall  be  required  to  be  provided  if  such  access  or
         disclosure would impair any attorney-client privilege of the disclosing
         party or would violate any applicable law or regulation. Parent and its
         subsidiaries  shall hold and shall use their reasonable best efforts to
         cause the  Parent  Representatives  to hold,  and the  Company  and its
         subsidiaries  shall hold and shall use their reasonable best efforts to
         cause the Company  Representatives  to hold, in strict  confidence  all
         non-public documents and information furnished to Parent and Subsidiary
         or to the  Company,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  connection  with  the
         transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement in  accordance  with the
         provisions of the Confidentiality  Agreements,  except that (i) Parent,
         Subsidiary  and the Company may  disclose  such  information  as may be
         necessary  in  connection  with seeking the Parent  Required  Statutory
         Approvals  and Parent


<PAGE>


         Stockholders'  Approval,  the Company Required Statutory  Approvals and
         the Company Stockholders' Approval and (ii) each of Parent,  Subsidiary
         and the Company may disclose any information that it is required by law
         or judicial or administrative order to disclose.

              (b) In the event that this  Agreement is  terminated in accordance
         with its terms,  each party shall  promptly  redeliver to the other all
         non-public  written material  provided pursuant to this Section 7.1 and
         shall not retain any copies,  extracts or other  reproductions in whole
         or in part of such  written  material.  In such event,  all  documents,
         memoranda,  notes and other writings  prepared by Parent or the Company
         based on the  information  in such  material  shall be  destroyed  (and
         Parent  and the  Company  shall use their  respective  reasonable  best
         efforts to cause  their  respective  advisors  and  representatives  to
         similarly  destroy  their  documents,  memoranda  and notes),  and such
         destruction (and reasonable best efforts) shall be certified in writing
         by an authorized officer supervising such destruction.

              (c) The Company  shall  promptly  advise  Parent and Parent  shall
         promptly  advise the Company in writing of any change or the occurrence
         of any event after the date of this Agreement having, or which, insofar
         as can  reasonably  be  foreseen,  in the future  may have,  any Parent
         Material Adverse Effect or Company Material Adverse Effect, as the case
         may be, taken as a whole.

         SECTION 7.2 REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT.

              (a) Parent and the  Company  shall file with the SEC as soon as is
         reasonably practicable after the date hereof the Joint Proxy Statement/
         Prospectus   and  shall  use  all   reasonable   efforts  to  have  the
         Registration  Statement  declared  effective  by the SEC as promptly as
         practicable.  Parent  shall also take any action  required  to be taken
         under  applicable  state blue sky or securities laws in connection with
         the issuance of Parent Stock  pursuant  hereto.  Parent and the Company
         shall  promptly  furnish to each other all  information,  and take such
         other actions,  as may  reasonably be requested in connection  with any
         action by any of them in connection  with the preceding  sentence.  The
         information  provided  and to be  provided  by Parent and the  Company,
         respectively, for use in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall not
         contain  any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading.

              (b)  Each of the  parties  agree  that the  financial  information
         (including pro forma financial data and information)  supplied or to be
         supplied by it or its representatives for inclusion or incorporation by
         reference   in  the   Registration   Statement   or  the  Joint   Proxy
         Statement/Prospectus  shall comply as to form in all material  respects
         with applicable  accounting  requirements  and with the published rules
         and regulations of the SEC with respect  thereto,  shall be prepared in
         accordance with United States generally accepted accounting  principles
         applied on a consistent  basis during the periods  involved  (except as
         may be  indicated  in the notes  thereto  or, in the case of  unaudited
         financial information,  as permitted by the rules of the SEC) and shall
         fairly   present   (subject,   in  the  case  of  unaudited   financial
         information,  to normal,  recurring  audit  adjustments)  the financial
         information  reflected  therein  as of the  dates  thereof  or for  the
         periods then ended.

              (c) Prior to the date of approval of the Parent Stock Issuance and
         Parent Charter Amendment by Parent's  stockholders and adoption of this
         Agreement by the Company's  stockholders,  each of the Company,  Parent
         and Subsidiary shall correct promptly any information provided by it to
         be  used  specifically  in the  Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and
         Registration  Statement  that shall have become false or  misleading in
         any  material  respect and shall take all steps  necessary to file with
         the SEC and have declared effective or cleared by the SEC any amendment

<PAGE>


         or   supplement  to  the  Joint  Proxy   Statement/Prospectus   or  the
         Registration Statement so as to correct the same and to cause the Joint
         Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  as so corrected to be  disseminated to the
         stockholders  of the  Company  and  Parent,  in each case to the extent
         required by applicable law.

              (d)  None  of  the  Joint   Proxy   Statement/Prospectus   or  the
         Registration Statement shall be filed or distributed, and, prior to the
         termination of this Agreement,  no amendment or supplement to the Joint
         Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statement shall be filed
         or  distributed,  by  or  on  behalf  of  Parent  or  Company,  without
         consultation  with the other party and its counsel or without providing
         the other  party the  reasonable  opportunity  to  review  and  comment
         thereon.

              (e)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Company  shall  not be
         required  to take any action  pursuant  to this  Section 7.2 if, at the
         time,  the Company is not obligated to make the  recommendation  to its
         stockholders  contemplated  by Section  7.3(a)  hereof  pursuant to the
         terms of such Section 7.3(a).

         SECTION 7.3 STOCKHOLDERS' APPROVALS.

              (a) The Company  shall,  as promptly as  practicable,  submit this
         Agreement for adoption by its stockholders at a meeting of stockholders
         and,  subject to the final sentence of this Section  7.3(a),  shall use
         its  reasonable  best  efforts  to  obtain  stockholder  adoption  (the
         "COMPANY  STOCKHOLDERS'  APPROVAL") of this Agreement.  Such meeting of
         stockholders  shall be held as soon as  practicable  following the date
         upon which the Registration Statement becomes effective.  Except as may
         be  required,   in  response  to  any  unsolicited  bona  fide  written
         Acquisition  Proposal,  in order to comply with the fiduciary duties of
         the Board of  Directors  under the DGCL as  determined  by the Board of
         Directors in good faith,  after consultation with the Company's outside
         legal counsel,  the Company's Board of Directors shall recommend to the
         Company's stockholders adoption of this Agreement.

              (b) Parent shall,  as promptly as  practicable,  submit the Parent
         Stock  Issuance and Parent  Charter  Amendment  for the approval of its
         stockholders at a meeting of stockholders  and, subject to the third to
         last sentence of this Section  7.3(b),  shall use its  reasonable  best
         efforts  to obtain  stockholder  approval  (the  "PARENT  STOCKHOLDERS'
         APPROVAL") of the Parent Stock Issuance and Parent  Charter  Amendment.
         Such  meeting  of  stockholders  shall  be held as soon as  practicable
         following  the  date  on  which  the  Registration   Statement  becomes
         effective.  Except as may be  required,  in  response  to any bona fide
         "Parent  Acquisition  Proposal",  in order to comply with the fiduciary
         duties of Parent's  Board of Directors  under the DGCL as determined by
         Parent's  Board of Directors  in good faith,  after  consultation  with
         Parent's  outside  legal  counsel,  Parent's  Board of Directors  shall
         recommend to its stockholders approval of the Parent Stock Issuance and
         Parent Charter Amendment. As soon as practicable after the date hereof,
         Parent shall  authorize and cause an officer of Parent to vote Parent's
         shares of  Subsidiary  Common Stock for adoption of this  Agreement and
         shall take all additional actions as the sole stockholder of Subsidiary
         necessary  to  adopt  this  Agreement.   As  used  herein,   a  "PARENT
         ACQUISITION  PROPOSAL" shall mean a proposal or offer to acquire all or
         any  substantial  part of the business and  properties of Parent or any
         capital stock of Parent, whether by merger,  purchase of assets, tender
         offer  or  otherwise,   whether  for  cash,  securities  or  any  other
         consideration or combination thereof .

              (c)  Subject to  Sections  7.3(a) and (b),  each of Parent and the
         Company  shall use its  reasonable  best  efforts to schedule  and hold
         their  respective  stockholders'  meetings  so that  the  stockholders'
         meetings  occur on the same day,  and  otherwise so as not to delay the
         transactions contemplated hereby.


<PAGE>


         SECTION 7.4 COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND EXCHANGE ACT.

              (a)  The  Company  shall  cause  each of its  principal  executive
         officers and  directors,  and will use its  reasonable  best efforts to
         cause the other persons who are  "affiliates"  (as that term is used in
         paragraphs  (c) and (d) of Rule 145  under the  Securities  Act) of the
         Company (collectively,  the "145 AFFILIATES"),  to deliver to Parent on
         or  prior  to the  Effective  Time a  written  agreement  in  form  and
         substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Parent  and  the  Company  (an
         "AFFILIATE AGREEMENT") to the effect that such person will not offer to
         sell, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Parent Stock issued in
         connection  with the  Merger,  except,  in each  case,  pursuant  to an
         effective  registration  statement or in  compliance  with Rule 145, as
         amended from time to time, or in a transaction which, in the opinion of
         legal counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to Parent,  is exempt from the
         registration  requirements of the Securities  Act. In addition,  Parent
         shall cause all certificates for Parent Stock to be received by the 145
         Affiliates to bear a legend substantially similar to the following:

              THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE
              PROVISIONS OF RULE 145  PROMULGATED  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
              OF  1933,  AS  AMENDED  (THE  "ACT"),  AND MAY  NOT BE  SOLD,
              TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF BY THE HOLDER EXCEPT (A)
              PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT FILED UNDER
              THE ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE  SECURITIES LAWS OF
              ANY STATE WITH RESPECT  THERETO,  (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE
              145(d) UNDER THE ACT, OR (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN OPINION OF
              COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT
              AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.

              (b) The  Board  of  Directors  or  Compensation  Committee  of the
         Company  and Parent  will each grant all  approvals  and take all other
         actions  required  pursuant to Rules  16b-3(d) and  16b-3(e)  under the
         Exchange Act to cause the  disposition in connection with the Merger of
         Company Common Stock and Company Options (as  hereinafter  defined) and
         the  acquisition  in  connection  with the  Merger of Parent  Stock and
         options to acquire Parent Common Stock to be exempt from the provisions
         of Section  16(b) of the  Exchange  Act.  SECTION  7.5 NASDAQ  LISTING.
         Parent shall cause, at or before the Effective Time,  authorization for
         listing on the Nasdaq National Market ("NASDAQ"),  upon official notice
         of  issuance,  of the  shares  of  Parent  Stock  (i) to be  issued  in
         connection  with the Merger and (ii) to be reserved for  issuance  upon
         exercise of stock options issued in connection with the Merger.

         SECTION 7.6 EXPENSES AND FEES.

              (a)  Except  as set  forth in this  Section  7.6,  all  costs  and
         expenses   incurred  in   connection   with  this   Agreement  and  the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be paid by the party incurring
         such expenses,  except that those expenses  incurred in connection with
         printing  and  filing  the Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  shall be
         shared equally by Parent and the Company.

              (b) The  Company  agrees  to  immediately  pay to  Parent a fee of
         $7,177,632 if:

                   (i) the Company  terminates this Agreement pursuant to clause
              (iii) of Section 9.1(a); or

<PAGE>


                   (ii) Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to clause (iv)
              of Section 9.1(b); or

                   (iii) Parent  terminates  this  Agreement  pursuant to clause
              (vi) of Section  9.1(b) or the Company  terminates  this Agreement
              pursuant to clause (iv)(2) of Section 9.1(a), in each case if, but
              only if, the  Company  enters  into a  definitive  agreement  with
              respect  to  an  Acquisition   Transaction   within  three  months
              following such termination.

              (c)  Parent  agrees  to  immediately  pay to the  Company a fee of
         $7,177,632 if:

                   (i) Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to clause (vii)
              of  Section  9.1(b)  or  the  Company  terminates  this  Agreement
              pursuant to clause (vii) of Section  9.1(a) and, in each case, if,
              but  only if,  Parent  enters  into a  definitive  agreement  with
              respect  to a  Parent  Acquisition  Proposal  within  nine  months
              following such termination; or

                   (ii) Parent,  in  accordance  with Section  7.3(b),  does not
              recommend  to  its  stockholders  approval  of  the  Parent  Stock
              Issuance  and  the  Parent  Charter   Amendment  and  the  Company
              terminates  this  Agreement  pursuant to clause (iv)(1) of Section
              9.1(a), if, but only if, Parent enters into a definitive agreement
              with respect to a Parent Acquisition  Proposal within three months
              following such termination.

         SECTION 7.7 AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE.

              (a) Subject to the terms and conditions  herein provided,  each of
         the parties hereto shall use all  reasonable  efforts to take, or cause
         to be taken,  all  action  and to do, or cause to be done,  all  things
         necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
         consummate and make  effective the  transactions  contemplated  by this
         Agreement,  including  using  its  reasonable  efforts  to  obtain  all
         necessary  or  appropriate  waivers,  consents  or  approvals  of third
         parties   required   in  order   to   preserve   material   contractual
         relationships  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  all  necessary or
         appropriate waivers, consents and approvals and SEC "no-action" letters
         to effect all necessary  registrations,  filings and submissions and to
         lift any  injunction  or other  legal bar to the Merger  (and,  in such
         case, to proceed with the Merger as expeditiously as possible).

              (b) Without  limitation of the  foregoing,  each of Parent and the
         Company  undertakes and agrees to file as soon as practicable after the
         date hereof a  Notification  and Report Form under the HSR Act with the
         Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust  Division of the
         Department of Justice (the  "ANTITRUST  DIVISION").  Each of Parent and
         the  Company  shall  (i)  use  its  reasonable  efforts  to  comply  as
         expeditiously  as possible  with all lawful  requests of the FTC or the
         Antitrust  Division for additional  information  and documents and (ii)
         not  extend  any  waiting  period  under the HSR Act or enter  into any
         agreement with the FTC or the Antitrust  Division not to consummate the
         transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  except  with the prior
         written consent of the other parties hereto.

              (c) In the event any  litigation is commenced  against the Company
         by any person or entity  relating to the  transactions  contemplated by
         this  Agreement,  including any Acquisition  Transaction,  Parent shall
         have the right,  at its own expense,  to participate  therein,  and the
         Company  will not settle any such  litigation  without  the  consent of
         Parent,  which  consent will not be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed;
         provided,  however, that nothing contained in this Section 7.7(c) shall
         be  construed  as  granting  Parent a right to consent to a  particular
         settlement,  if the  Company's  Board of Directors  determines  in good
         faith after  consultation with the Company's outside legal counsel that


<PAGE>


         the existence or exercise of such right with respect to that particular
         settlement would violate the fiduciary duties of the Company's Board of
         Directors.

              (d) Parent shall reasonably consider taking such actions as may be
         useful in resolving any antitrust  objections that may be asserted with
         respect to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement by the FTC,
         the Antitrust Division or any other federal or state agency.

         SECTION 7.8 Each party  hereto  shall  consult  with each other  before
issuing any press release or otherwise  issuing any other similar written public
statement  with respect to this  Agreement or the Merger and shall not issue any
such press release or make any such public  statement  without the prior consent
of each  other  party,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld  or
delayed;  provided,  however, that a party may, without the prior consent of any
other  party,  issue  such a press  release  or  other  similar  written  public
statement  as may be required by law or any  listing  agreement  with a national
securities  exchange  or market to which  Parent or the Company is a party if it
has used all  reasonable  efforts to consult with such other party and to obtain
such other  party's  consent  but has been  unable to do so in a timely  manner.
Further,  the parties  shall use their  respective  reasonable  best  efforts to
coordinate  and jointly  schedule and  interface  with the various  governmental
authorities  and  other  applicable  regulatory  bodies  involved  or  otherwise
interested in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         SECTION 7.9 OPTION PLANS.

              (a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company and Parent shall take
         such action as may be necessary to cause each unexpired and unexercised
         option to  purchase  shares of Company  Common  Stock  (each a "COMPANY
         Option") to be  automatically  converted at the Effective  Time into an
         option (each a "PARENT  OPTION") which will be (1) to purchase a number
         of shares  of Parent  Stock  equal to the  number of shares of  Company
         Common Stock that could have been  purchased  under the Company  Option
         multiplied by the Exchange  Ratio, at a price per share of Parent Stock
         equal to the option exercise price  determined  pursuant to the Company
         Option divided by the Exchange  Ratio and (2) otherwise  subject to the
         same terms and conditions as the Company  Option;  provided that (i) if
         the applicable  agreement  evidencing  the Company Option  provides for
         acceleration  of vesting of such  Company  Option upon the Merger,  the
         converted stock option will be so vested following the Merger and, (ii)
         the terms of the Company Options  outstanding  under the Company's 1997
         Non-Employee  Director  Stock Option Plan shall be amended so that such
         options may be  exercised  (A) with  respect to those  directors of the
         Company who do not become directors of Parent, until the earlier of (x)
         six months  following the  Effective  Time or (y) the date on which the
         options expire in accordance with their terms,  and (B) with respect to
         those  directors of the Company who are  appointed  directors of Parent
         pursuant to Section 2.4, until the earlier of (x) 90 days following the
         date on which such persons  cease to be directors of Parent and (y) the
         date on which the options  expire in accordance  with their terms.  The
         date of grant of a substituted Parent Option shall be the date on which
         the  corresponding  Company Option was granted.  At the Effective Time,
         all references in the Company Options to the Company shall be deemed to
         refer to Parent.  Parent shall assume all of the Company's  obligations
         with respect to Company Options as so amended and shall, from and after
         the Effective  Time,  make  available for issuance upon exercise of the
         Parent  Options all shares of Parent Stock  covered  thereby and, at or
         prior to the Effective Time, amend its  Registration  Statement on Form
         S-8 or file a new registration statement to cover the additional shares
         of Parent Stock subject to Parent  Options  granted in  replacement  of
         Company  Options.  Following  the Effective  Time,  Parent will use all
         reasonable  efforts to  maintain  the  effectiveness  of the  foregoing
         registration   statement  (and  maintain  the  current  status  of  the
         prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as any of the
         converted Company Options remain outstanding and unexercised.

<PAGE>

              (b) As soon as practicable  after the Effective Time, Parent shall
         deliver  to the  holders of Company  Options  immediately  prior to the
         Effective  Time  appropriate  notices  setting  forth (1) such holders'
         rights pursuant to the respective Company Options, and (2) stating that
         the  Company  Options  have  been  converted  into  Parent  Options  as
         contemplated  herein and have been assumed by Parent and shall continue
         in effect on the same terms and conditions  (subject to the adjustments
         required by this Section to give effect to the Merger).

              (c) The  holders  of  Company  Options  immediately  prior  to the
         Effective Time, and their respective legal  representatives  and heirs,
         shall be deemed third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7.9.

         SECTION  7.10  NOTIFICATION  OF CERTAIN  MATTERS.  Each of the Company,
Parent and Subsidiary  agrees to give prompt notice to each other of, and to use
their respective  reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly remedy, (i) the
occurrence  or failure to occur or the  impending or  threatened  occurrence  or
failure to occur,  of any event  which  occurrence  or failure to occur would be
likely to cause any of its representations or warranties in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to
the Effective  Time and (ii) any material  failure on its part to comply with or
satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by
it hereunder;  provided,  however,  that the delivery of any notice  pursuant to
this  Section 7.10 shall not limit or  otherwise  affect the remedies  available
hereunder to the party receiving such notice.

         SECTION 7.11 DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INDEMNIFICATION.

              (a) From and after the Effective  Time, the Surviving  Corporation
         shall  indemnify  and hold  harmless all past and present  officers and
         directors of the Company (the "COVERED PARTIES") to the same extent and
         in the same manner and  subject to the same limits as such  persons are
         indemnified as of the date of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to
         the DGCL, the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation or the Company's
         By-Laws for acts or omissions  occurring  at or prior to the  Effective
         Time.

              (b) The Certificate of Incorporation  and By-laws of the Surviving
         Corporation  shall contain,  and Parent shall cause the  Certificate of
         Incorporation  and  By-laws of the  Surviving  Corporation  to contain,
         provisions  no  less   favorable   with  respect  to   indemnification,
         advancement   of  expenses  and   exculpation  of  present  and  former
         directors,  officers,  employees  and  agents  of the  Company  and its
         subsidiaries  than are presently set forth in the Restated  Certificate
         of  Incorporation,  as amended,  and Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
         Company.

              (c)  The  Surviving  Corporation  shall  use its  reasonable  best
         efforts to provide, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to
         use its  reasonable  best efforts to provide,  for a period of not less
         than 6  years  from  the  Effective  Time,  one  or  more  policies  of
         directors' and officers'  liability  insurance that provide(s) coverage
         for events  occurring prior to the Effective Time (the "D&O INSURANCE")
         that is/are substantially  similar to the Company's existing policy or,
         if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the most
         similar available coverage;  provided,  however, that in no event shall
         the Surviving  Corporation be required to pay an annual premium for the
         D&O  Insurance in excess of 150% of the last annual  premium paid prior
         to the date hereof (the "MAXIMUM  PREMIUM").  If the Company's existing
         insurance  expires,  is  terminated  or canceled  during such  six-year
         period or exceeds the Maximum Premium, the Surviving  Corporation shall
         obtain, and Parent shall cause the Surviving  Corporation to obtain, as
         much  directors' and officers'  liability  insurance as can be obtained
         for the  remainder  of such  period for an  annualized  premium  not in
         excess  of the  Maximum  Premium,  on  terms  and  conditions  no

<PAGE>

         less advantageous to the Covered Parties than  the  Company's  existing
         directors' and officers' liability insurance.

              (d) In addition to the indemnification and advancement of expenses
         provisions set forth herein, in the event that (i) the  indemnification
         or advancement of expenses to be provided by the Surviving  Corporation
         in accordance with Section 7.11(a) or 7.11(b) above,  together with the
         D&O  Insurance  to  be  maintained  by  the  Surviving  Corporation  in
         accordance with Section 7.11(c) above,  after each is fully  exhausted,
         is not adequate to fully  indemnify or provide  advancement of expenses
         to any  Covered  Party to the same  extent and in the same  manner that
         such  indemnification  or  advancement  of  expenses  would  have  been
         required to be provided by the Company prior to the Effective Time, and
         (ii) there has been a diminution of the net book value of the Surviving
         Corporation  from the net book value of the Company as reflected on the
         balance  sheet  included in the Last  Company  SEC Report,  then Parent
         shall indemnify such Covered Party to the extent of such diminution.

              (e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any claim,
         action, suit,  proceeding or investigation  (whether arising before, at
         or after the Effective  Time) is made against any Covered Party,  on or
         prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the provisions of
         this Section 7.11 shall continue in effect until the final  disposition
         of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation.

              (f) The covenants contained in this Section are intended to be for
         the  benefit  of,  and shall be  enforceable  by,  each of the  Covered
         Parties and their respective heirs and legal  representatives and shall
         not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a Covered Party is
         entitled, whether pursuant to law, contract or otherwise.

              (g) In the event that Parent, the Surviving  Corporation or any of
         their respective  successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges
         into any other  person  and shall not be the  continuing  or  surviving
         corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers
         or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any
         person,  then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so
         that the successors or assigns of Parent, the Surviving  Corporation or
         any of their  respective  successors  or  assigns,  as the case may be,
         shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 7.11.

         SECTION 7.12  CERTAIN  BENEFITS.  At the  Effective  Time,  Parent will
assume,  and, subject to Parent's right to thereafter amend, modify or terminate
the Policy in accordance with its terms, Parent will thereafter pay, perform and
discharge  when  due,  all of the  Company's  obligations  under  the  Company's
Executive Officer Severance Plan, as amended (the "POLICY"), with respect to the
individuals  who participate in the Policy (the  "PARTICIPANTS").  A copy of the
Policy and a list of the  Participants  is attached  to the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule.  With respect to those  Participants  who become employed by Parent or
any of its  subsidiaries  in connection  with the Merger,  all references in the
Policy  to the  "Company"  shall be deemed to be  references  to Parent  and its
subsidiaries,  each such  Participant  shall be an "Executive"  for all purposes
under  the  Policy  and  such  Participants'  service  to the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries  prior to the Merger shall be included in  determining  their total
years of  services  for  purposes  of the Policy.  The  Participants,  and their
respective legal  representatives and heirs, shall be third-party  beneficiaries
of this Section  7.12.  Prior to the Effective  Time,  the Company shall use its
reasonable  best  efforts to amend the options to acquire  Company  Common Stock
which are held by  Participants  so that the  provisions  of Section  2.6 of the
Policy are reflected in such options.


<PAGE>


         SECTION  7.13  SEC  REPORTS.   The  parties   agree  that   whenever  a
representation  or warranty  contained in this  Agreement is made subject to any
fact or circumstance referenced, disclosed, set forth or described in either the
Parent SEC Reports or the Company SEC Reports (collectively, the "SEC REPORTS"),
such  representation  or warranty shall be subject only to those matters that it
is reasonably apparent from a reading of such SEC Reports would apply thereto.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   CONDITIONS

         SECTION 8.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.
The  respective  obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

              (a) the Parent Stock Issuance and Parent Charter  Amendment  shall
         have been approved by the  requisite  vote of the  stockholders  of the
         Parent and this Agreement shall have been adopted by the requisite vote
         of the  stockholders of the Company,  in each case under applicable law
         and  applicable  listing  requirements  of the Nasdaq  National  Market
         ("Nasdaq");

              (b) the shares of Parent  Stock  issuable in  connection  with the
         Merger and those to be reserved  for  issuance  upon  exercise of stock
         options or warrants or the conversion of convertible  securities  shall
         have been  authorized  for  listing on Nasdaq upon  official  notice of
         issuance;

              (c) the  waiting  period  applicable  to the  consummation  of the
         Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;

              (d) the  Registration  Statement  shall have become  effective  in
         accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, and no stop order
         suspending  such  effectiveness  shall  have been  issued and remain in
         effect and no proceeding  for that purpose shall have been  instituted,
         or to the knowledge of Parent and the Company no such proceeding  shall
         have been threatened, by the SEC or any state regulatory authorities;

              (e) no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have
         enacted,  issued,  promulgated,  enforced or entered any statute, rule,
         regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether
         temporary,  preliminary  or  permanent)  which is in  effect  and which
         materially restricts,  prevents or prohibits consummation of the Merger
         or any transaction  contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood
         that the parties hereto hereby agree to use their reasonable efforts to
         cause  any such  decree,  judgment,  injunction  or  other  order to be
         vacated or lifted as promptly as possible);

              (f) no action  shall  have been  taken,  and no  statute,  rule or
         regulation shall have been enacted,  by any state or federal government
         or  governmental  agency in the United  States which would  prevent the
         consummation  of the  Merger  or make the  consummation  of the  Merger
         illegal; and

              (g) all  governmental  waivers,  consents,  orders  and  approvals
         legally   required  for  the   consummation   of  the  Merger  and  the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall have been  obtained and be in
         effect at the  Effective  Time,  except where the failure to obtain the
         same would not be reasonably  likely to have a Company Material Adverse
         Effect, following the Effective Time.


<PAGE>


         SECTION  8.2  CONDITIONS  TO  OBLIGATION  OF THE  COMPANY TO EFFECT THE
MERGER.  Unless waived by the Company,  the  obligation of the Company to effect
the Merger shall be subject to the  fulfillment  at or prior to the Closing Date
of the following additional conditions:

              (a) Parent and  Subsidiary  shall have  performed  in all material
         respects their  agreements  contained in this Agreement  required to be
         performed on or prior to the Closing Date and the  representations  and
         warranties of Parent and Subsidiary  contained in this Agreement  shall
         be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date made
         and  (except to the extent  that such  representations  and  warranties
         expressly speak as of an earlier date,  which shall be true and correct
         in all  material  respects as of the  specified  date) on and as of the
         Closing Date as if made at and as of such date;

              (b) since the date  hereof,  there shall have been no changes that
         constitute,  and no event or  events  (including,  without  limitation,
         litigation  developments) shall have occurred which have resulted in or
         constitute, a Parent Material Adverse Effect; and

              (c) the  Company  shall  have  received  certificates,  dated  the
         Closing Date, of:

                   (i) the President or any Vice President of each of Parent and
              Subsidiary  certifying  as to the  matters  specified  in Sections
              8.2(a) and (b) hereof; and

                   (ii)  the   Secretary  of  each  of  Parent  and   Subsidiary
              certifying as to: (A) the content and continuing  effectiveness as
              of the Closing Date of the  resolutions  of the Board of Directors
              of  Parent   approving   this   Agreement  and  the   transactions
              contemplated  hereby;  (B) the fact that the Parent Stock Issuance
              and  Parent  Charter  Amendment  have  been duly  approved  by the
              requisite vote of the  stockholders  of Parent in accordance  with
              the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Parent,  the rules
              of Nasdaq and the DGCL and that such approval is in full force and
              effect; and (C) the fact that this Agreement has been duly adopted
              by the  requisite  vote  of  Parent  as the  sole  stockholder  of
              Subsidiary in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and
              by-laws of  Subsidiary  and the DGCL and that such  adoption is in
              full force and effect.

         SECTION 8.3  CONDITIONS  TO  OBLIGATIONS  OF PARENT AND  SUBSIDIARY  TO
EFFECT THE MERGER.  Unless waived by Parent and  Subsidiary,  the obligations of
Parent and  Subsidiary to effect the Merger shall be subject to the  fulfillment
at or prior to the Effective Time of the additional following conditions:

              (a) the Company shall have performed in all material  respects its
         agreements  contained in this Agreement  required to be performed on or
         prior to the Closing Date and the representations and warranties of the
         Company  contained in this  Agreement  shall be true and correct in all
         material  respects on and as of the date made and (except to the extent
         that  such  representations  and  warranties  expressly  speak as of an
         earlier date, which shall be true and correct in all material  respects
         as of the  specified  date) on and as of the Closing Date as if made at
         and as of such date;

              (b)  the  Affiliate  Agreements  to  the  extent  required  to  be
         delivered to Parent  pursuant to Section 7.4, shall have been furnished
         as required by Section 7.4;

              (c) those certain  options to acquire  Company  Common Stock shall
         have been amended, to the extent required by Section 7.12;

<PAGE>



              (d) since the date  hereof,  there shall have been no changes that
         constitute,  and no event or  events  (including,  without  limitation,
         litigation  developments) shall have occurred which have resulted in or
         constitute, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

              (e) Parent  shall have  received  certificates,  dated the Closing
         Date, of:

                   (i)  the  President  or any  Vice  President  of the  Company
              certifying as to the matters  specified in Sections 8.3(a) and (c)
              hereof; and

                   (ii) the  Secretary of the Company  certifying as to: (A) the
              content and continuing effectiveness as of the Closing Date of the
              resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company (1) approving
              and declaring the  advisability of this  Agreement,  (2) rendering
              Section 203 of the DGCL  inapplicable  to this  Agreement  and the
              transactions  contemplated  hereby,  and (3)  amending  the Rights
              Agreement as  described  in Section 5.22 hereof;  and (B) the fact
              that this Agreement has been duly adopted by the requisite vote of
              the  stockholders  of the Company in accordance with the Company's
              Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Amended and Restated
              Bylaws  and the DGCL and that such  adoption  is in full force and
              effect.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

         SECTION 9.1  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing Date,  whether before or after adoption by the stockholders
of the  Company or Parent,  by the mutual  written  consent of the  Company  and
Parent or as follows:

              (a) The Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement:

                   (i) if the Merger is not  completed  by June 30, 2000 (unless
              due to a delay or default on the part of the  Company),  provided,
              however,  that such date shall be extended to  September  30, 2000
              if, as of June 30,  2000,  the  parties  are  engaged  in  ongoing
              discussions  with  the FTC or  Antitrust  Division  regarding  the
              transactions contemplated hereby;

                   (ii) if the Merger is enjoined by a final, unappealable court
              order  not  entered  at the  request  or with the  support  of the
              Company and if the Company shall have used  reasonable  efforts to
              prevent the entry of such order;

                   (iii) if (A) the Company  receives an offer or proposal  from
              any Potential  Acquirer  (excluding any director or officer of the
              Company  or any  group of which any  director  or  officer  of the
              Company is a member) with respect to a merger, sale of substantial
              assets or other business  combination  involving the Company,  (B)
              the  Company's  Board of Directors  determines,  in good faith and
              after  consultation with an independent  financial  advisor,  that
              such offer or  proposal  (if  consummated  pursuant  to its terms)
              would result in an Acquisition  Transaction  more favorable to the
              Company's stockholders than the Merger (any such offer or proposal
              being referred to as a "SUPERIOR PROPOSAL") and resolves to accept
              such Superior Proposal and (C) the Company shall have given Parent
              two days'  prior  written  notice of its  intention  to  terminate
              pursuant  to  this  provision;   provided,   however,   that  such
              termination  shall not be effective until such time as the payment
              required by Section 7.6(b) shall have been received by Parent;


<PAGE>


                   (iv) if (1) the  stockholders  of Parent  fail to approve the
              Parent Stock Issuance and Parent Charter  Amendment at a duly held
              meeting of stockholders called for such purpose or any adjournment
              thereof or (2) the  stockholders of the Company fail to adopt this
              Agreement at a duly held meeting of  stockholders  called for such
              purpose or any adjournment thereof;

                   (v) if the representations and warranties of the Parent shall
              fail to be true and correct in all material  respects on and as of
              the date made or,  except in the case of any such  representations
              and  warranties  made  as of a  specified  date,  on and as of any
              subsequent  date as if made at and as of such  subsequent date and
              such failure  shall not have been cured in all  material  respects
              within 30 days after  written  notice of such  failure is given to
              the Parent by the Company;

                   (vi) if Parent (A) fails to perform in any  material  respect
              any of its material  covenants in this  Agreement and (B) does not
              cure such  default in all material  respects  within 30 days after
              notice of such default is given to Parent by the Company; or

                   (vii) if the Board of Directors of Parent shall have resolved
              to accept a Parent Superior Proposal.

              (b) Parent shall have the right to terminate this Agreement:

                   (i) if the  representations  and  warranties  of the  Company
              shall fail to be true and correct in all material  respects on and
              as  of  the  date  made  or,  except  in  the  case  of  any  such
              representations and warranties made as of a specified date, on and
              as of any subsequent  date as if made at and as of such subsequent
              date and such  failure  shall not have been cured in all  material
              respects  within 30 days after  written  notice of such failure is
              given to the Company by Parent;

                   (ii) if the Merger is not  completed by June 30, 2000 (unless
              due to a delay or  default  on the part of Parent or  Subsidiary),
              provided,  however,  that such date shall be extended to September
              30,  2000 if, as of June 30,  2000,  the  parties  are  engaged in
              ongoing  discussions with the FTC or Antitrust  Division regarding
              the transactions contemplated hereby;

                   (iii) if the  Merger  is  enjoined  by a final,  unappealable
              court  order not  entered at the  request  or with the  support of
              Parent or  Subsidiary  and if Parent  shall  have used  reasonable
              efforts to prevent the entry of such order;

                   (iv) if the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  shall  have
              resolved to accept a Superior  Proposal or shall have  recommended
              to the  stockholders  of the Company that they tender their shares
              in a  tender  or an  exchange  offer  commenced  by a third  party
              (excluding  any  affiliate  of  Parent  or any  group of which any
              affiliate of Parent is a member);

                   (v) if the  Company  (A)  fails to  perform  in any  material
              respect any of its material  covenants in this  Agreement  and (B)
              does not cure such default in all material respects within 30 days
              after notice of such default is given to the Company by Parent;

                   (vi) if the  stockholders  of the Company  fail to adopt this
              Agreement at a duly held meeting of  stockholders  called for such
              purpose or any adjournment thereof; or


<PAGE>


                   (vii) if (A) Parent receives a Parent  Acquisition  Proposal,
              which proposal  expressly  states in writing that it is subject to
              Parent terminating this Agreement or to otherwise not consummating
              the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  (B) as a result thereof,
              Parent's  Board  of  Directors  does  not  recommend  to  Parent's
              stockholders  approval  of the Parent  Stock  Issuance  and Parent
              Charter  Amendment  in reliance  on the third  sentence of Section
              7.3(b) hereof, and (C) Parent's Board of Directors determines,  in
              good faith and after  consultation  with an independent  financial
              advisor,  that such offer or proposal (if consummated  pursuant to
              its  terms)  would  result  in a  transaction  more  favorable  to
              Parent's  stockholders than the Merger (any such offer or proposal
              being referred to as a "PARENT SUPERIOR PROPOSAL") and resolves to
              accept such Parent Superior Proposal.

         SECTION 9.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either Parent or the Company  pursuant to the provisions of Section
9.1, this Agreement  shall  forthwith  become void and there shall be no further
obligation on the part of the Company,  Parent,  Subsidiary or their  respective
officers or  directors  (except as set forth in this  Section 9.2, in the second
sentence of Section  7.1(a) and in Sections  7.1(b) and 7.6,  all of which shall
survive the  termination).  Nothing in this Section 9.2 shall  relieve any party
from liability for any willful or intentional breach of this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.3  AMENDMENT.  This  Agreement  may not be amended  except by
action taken by the parties'  respective  Boards of Directors or duly authorized
committees thereof and then only by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto and in compliance with applicable law. Such amendment
may take place at any time prior to the Closing  Date,  whether  before or after
approval by the  stockholders  of the Company,  Parent or Subsidiary;  provided,
however,  that after any such  approval,  there shall not be made any  amendment
that by law  requires  the further  approval of such  stockholders  without such
further approval.

         SECTION 9.4 WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, subject to
applicable  law, the parties hereto may (a) extend the time for the  performance
of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties  hereto,  (b) waive
any inaccuracies in the  representations  and warranties  contained herein or in
any document delivered pursuant thereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions  contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party
hereto  to any such  extension  or  waiver  shall  be  valid if set  forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.

                                   ARTICLE X

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         SECTION 10.1 NON-SURVIVAL AND SCOPE OF  REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES
AND AGREEMENTS.  No representations,  warranties or agreements in this Agreement
or in any  instrument  delivered  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall survive the
Merger,  and after  effectiveness  of the Merger  neither the  Company,  Parent,
Subsidiary  or their  respective  officers or  directors  shall have any further
obligation with respect thereto except for the agreements  contained in Articles
II, III and X, Section 7.9,  Section 7.11 and Section 7.12.  Except as set forth
in Articles IV and V hereof,  the parties make no  representations or warranties
whatsoever,  and each party disclaims all liability and  responsibility  for any
other  representation,  warranty,  statement or information made or communicated
(orally or in  writing)  to another  party  (including,  but not limited to, any
opinion,  information  or advice  which may have been  provided to Parent by any
officer,  stockholder,  director,  employee, agent or consultant of the Company,
its financial advisors or any other agent or representative of the Company).


<PAGE>


         SECTION 10.2 NOTICES.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent via facsimile to
the parties at the following  addresses (or at such other address for a party as
shall be specified by like notice):

                  (a) If to Parent or Subsidiary to:

                           Westell Technologies, Inc.
                           750 N. Commons Drive
                           Aurora, Illinois 60504
                           Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
                           Facsimile:  630-375-4128

                  with a copy to:

                           McDermott, Will & Emery
                           227 West Monroe
                           Chicago, Illinois 60606
                           Attention:  Helen R. Friedli, Esq.
                           Facsimile:  312-984-3669

                           (b) If to the Company, to:

                           Teltrend Inc.
                           620 Stetson Avenue
                           St. Charles, Illinois 60174
                           Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
                           Facsimile:  630-377-0128

                  with a copy to:

                           Jenner & Block
                           One IBM Plaza
                           Chicago, Illinois 60611
                           Attention:  Jodi A. Simala, Esq.
                           Facsimile:  312-840-7692

         SECTION 10.3  INTERPRETATION.  The headings contained in this Agreement
are for  reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention
appears,  (i) the words  "herein",  "hereof" and  "hereunder" and other words of
similar  import  refer to this  Agreement  as a whole and not to any  particular
Article, Section or other subdivision,  (ii) reference to any Article or Section
means such Article or Section  hereof and (iii)  "including"  shall be deemed to
mean  including  without  limitation.  No provision of this  Agreement  shall be
interpreted  or construed  against any party hereto solely because such party or
its legal representative drafted such provision.

         SECTION 10.4 MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement (including the documents and
instruments  referred  to  herein)  (a)  constitutes  the entire  agreement  and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties,  or any of them,  with respect to the subject  matter  hereof
(provided,  that the provisions of those certain  agreements  dated September 3,
1999 by and  between

<PAGE>

the Company and Parent  concerning  confidentiality  and  related  matters  (the
"CONFIDENTIALITY  AGREEMENTS"),  shall remain in effect), (b) is not intended to
confer upon any other  person any rights or  remedies  hereunder,  except  under
Section  7.9,  Section  7.11,  Section 7.12 and Article III and (c) shall not be
assigned by operation of law or otherwise.  THIS AGREEMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED IN
ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING VALIDITY,  INTERPRETATION AND EFFECT, BY THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE  APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS  EXECUTED AND TO BE PERFORMED  WHOLLY
WITHIN SUCH STATE.

         SECTION 10.5  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         SECTION 10.6 PARTIES IN INTEREST.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and except as set forth in
Article  III,  Section  7.9,  Section  7.11 and  Section  7.12,  nothing in this
Agreement,  express or implied,  is intended to confer upon any other person any
rights  or  remedies  of any  nature  whatsoever  under  or by  reason  of  this
Agreement.

         SECTION 10.7 SEVERABILITY.  Wherever  possible,  each provision of this
Agreement  will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable  law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited
by or invalid under  applicable law, such provision will be ineffective  only to
the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder
of this Agreement.



<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Subsidiary and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers as of the date first written
above.

                                            WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.



                                            By: /s/ Robert H. Gaynor
                                            Name:  Robert H. Gaynor
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer



                                            THETA ACQUISITION CORP.



                                            By:  /s/ Robert H. Gaynor
                                            Name:  Robert H. Gaynor
                                            Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer


                                            TELTREND INC.


                                            By: /s/ Douglas P. Hoffmeyer
                                            Name:  Douglas P. Hoffmeyer
                                            Title: Sr. Vice President, Finance


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1

<PAGE>

                                    RESTATED
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                                  TELTREND INC.
                        --------------------------------


                  FIRST:     The name of the corporation is Teltrend Inc.

                  SECOND:  The registered office of the corporation in the State
of Delaware  shall be located at Corporation  Trust Center,  1209 Orange Street,
Wilmington,  Delaware  19801,  County of New Castle.  The name of its registered
agent shall be The Corporation Trust Company.

                  THIRD:  The  purposes of  the  corporation  are  to  engage in
any lawful act or  activity  for which corporations may be organized  under  the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

                  FOURTH:  The total  number of shares of all  classes  of stock
which the  corporation  shall have  authority to issue is 1,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                  FIFTH:  In  furtherance  and not in  limitation  of the powers
conferred  by the laws of the  State of  Delaware,  the  Board of  Directors  is
expressly authorized and empowered, in the manner provided in the By-Laws of the
corporation,  to make, alter, amend and repeal the By-Laws of the corporation in
any respect not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or with this
Certificate of Incorporation.

                  In addition to the powers and  authorities  hereinbefore or by
statute  expressly  conferred  upon it, the Board of Directors  may exercise all
such powers and do all such acts as may be exercised or done by the corporation,
subject,  nevertheless,  to the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware,
this Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the corporation.

                  Any contract,  transaction or act of the corporation or of the
directors  or of any  committee  which  shall be  ratified  by the  holders of a
majority of the shares of stock of the corporation present in person or by proxy
and voting at any annual  meeting,  or at any  special  meeting  called for such
purpose,  shall,  insofar  as  permitted  by  law  or  by  this  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  be  as  valid  and  as  binding  as  though  ratified  by  every
stockholder of the corporation.

                  SIXTH:  Whenever  a  compromise  or  arrangement  is  proposed
between this  corporation  and its creditors or any class of them and/or between
this  corporation  and its  stockholders  or any  class  of them,  any  court of
equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a
summary way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on
the  application  of any receiver or receivers  appointed  for this  corporation
under the  provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware  Code, or on the
application of trustees in

<PAGE>

dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under
the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware  Code,  order a meeting
of the creditors or class of creditors,  and/or of the  stockholders or class of
stockholders  of this  corporation,  as the case may be, to be  summoned in such
manner  as  the  said  court  directs.  If a  majority  in  number  representing
three-fourths  in value of the  creditors or class of  creditors,  and/or of the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this  corporation,  as the case may be,
agree  to any  compromise  or  arrangement  and to any  reorganization  of  this
corporation  as a  consequence  of such  compromise  or  arrangement,  the  said
compromise or arrangement  and the said  reorganization  shall, if sanctioned by
the court to which the said  application  has been  made,  be binding on all the
creditors  or class of  creditors,  and/or on all the  stockholders  or class of
stockholders,  of  this  corporation  as the  case  may  be,  and  also  on this
corporation.

                  SEVENTH:  To the  fullest  extent  permitted  by  the  General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, Section
102(b)(7)),  as amended from time to time, no director of this corporation shall
be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or amendment of this Article SEVENTH
or adoption of any provision of this Certificate of  Incorporation  inconsistent
with this  Article  SEVENTH  shall have  prospective  effect  only and shall not
adversely  affect the liability of a director of the corporation with respect to
any act or omission occurring at or before the time of such repeal, amendment or
adoption of an inconsistent provision.

                  EIGHTH:  The corporation shall indemnify any executive officer
or director and may,  pursuant to  resolutions  adopted from time to time by the
Board of Directors or the corporation's By-Laws, indemnify any employee or other
agent of the  corporation  or any other  person  whom it shall have the power to
indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by the General  Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware  (including,  without  limitation,  Section 145  thereof),  as
amended from time to time. The  indemnification  provided in this Article EIGHTH
shall not be deemed  exclusive of any other  rights to which any person  seeking
indemnification  may be entitled under any law,  certificate  of  incorporation,
bylaw, agreement,  vote of stockholders or resolution of directors or otherwise,
both as to action in his  official  capacity  and to action in another  capacity
while holding such office,  and shall  continue as to a person who has ceased to
be an executive officer or director and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.

                  NINTH:  The books of the  corporation  may be kept (subject to
any provision  contained in the statutes)  outside the State of Delaware at such
place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors
or in the  By-Laws of the  corporation.  Election  of  directors  need not be by
ballot unless the By-Laws of the corporation shall so provide.

                  TENTH:  The  corporation  reserves the right to amend,  alter,
change or repeal any provision  contained in this Certificate of  Incorporation,
in the manner now or hereafter  prescribed by statute,  and all rights conferred
upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.


<PAGE>

Following is a list of Schedules to the  Agreement and Plan of Merger which have
been omitted in  accordance  with Item  601(b)(2)  of  Regulation  S-K.  Westell
Technologies, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted
schedule to the Securities Exchange Commission upon request.


DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES OF WESTELL TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND THETA ACQUISITION CORP.:

   Schedule 4.2:      Capitalization
   Schedule 4.3:      Subsidiaries
   Schedule 4.4:      Authority; Non-Contravention; Approvals
   Schedule 4.5:      Reports and Financial Statements
   Schedule 4.12:     Taxes


DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES OF TELTREND INC.:

   Schedule 5.2(b):   Options, Warrants, Etc.
   Schedule 5.4(b):   Non-contravention
   Schedule 5.5:      Company SEC Reports
   Schedule 5.8:      Litigation and Claims
   Schedule 5.13(b):  Non-Terminable Company Plan
   Schedule 5.12:     Taxes
   Schedule 5.15:     Environmental Matters
   Schedule 6.1:      Conduct of Business by the Company Pending Merger
   Schedule 7.14:     Severance Plan









                                VOTING AGREEMENT
                                ----------------

                  THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made this 13th day
of  December,  1999,  by and among  Robert C. Penny III and Melvin J. Simon (the
"TRUSTEES"), as trustees pursuant to a Voting Trust Agreement dated February 23,
1994,  as amended  (the  "VOTING  TRUST"),  among  Messrs.  Penny and Simon,  as
trustees,  and certain  stockholders of Westell  Technologies,  Inc., a Delaware
Corporation ("PARENT"),  Robert C. Penny III, individually and as trustee of any
Holder (as defined in the Voting Trust) under the Voting Trust, Melvin J. Simon,
individually and as trustee of any Holder (as defined in the Voting Trust) under
the Voting Trust, and Teltrend Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS,  concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement,  an Agreement  and Plan of Merger (as such  agreement  may be amended
from time to time,  the "MERGER  AGREEMENT")  is being entered into by and among
the  Company,  Parent  and  Theta  Acquisition  Corp.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("SUBSIDIARY"),  pursuant to which  Subsidiary has agreed to merge with and into
the Company,  with the Company  continuing  as the  surviving  corporation  (the
"MERGER");

                  WHEREAS,   in  connection  with  the  Merger  Agreement,   the
stockholders  of Parent must  approve the issuance of Parent Stock (as such term
and each other capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein is defined
in the Merger  Agreement)  in  connection  with the Merger  (the  "PARENT  STOCK
ISSUANCE ") and the amendment to Parent's  Amended and Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  to increase the number of authorized  shares of Parent Stock (the
"PARENT CHARTER AMENDMENT");

                  WHEREAS,  the  affirmative  vote  of  stockholders  of  Parent
required  for approval of (i) the Parent  Stock  Issuance,  is a majority of the
total  votes  cast  thereon,  in  person  or  by  proxy  at a  meeting  of  such
stockholders, by holders of Parent Stock and Parent Class B Common Stock, voting
together as a single class, and (ii) the Parent Charter Amendment, is a majority
of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Parent Stock and Parent Class B
Common Stock, voting together as a single class; and

                  WHEREAS,  as a condition  to, and in  consideration  for,  the
Company's  willingness to enter into the Merger  Agreement and to consummate the
transactions   contemplated   thereby,   the  Company  has  required   that  the
Stockholders (as defined below) enter into this Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  foregoing and the
mutual representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements contained herein,
the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

                  1. DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement:

<PAGE>


                  "PARENT  SECURITIES"  shall mean the  Parent  Stock and Parent
Class B Common Stock.

                  "PERMITTED  TRANSFER" means the transfer by any Stockholder of
Parent Class B Common Stock in a  transaction  pursuant to which either (i) such
shares of Parent  Class B Common Stock (A) are  converted  into shares of Parent
Stock  pursuant to the  provisions  of the Amended and Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation, as amended, of Parent in effect as of the date hereof and (B) are
transferred  to an  Unaffiliated  Person,  or (ii) such shares of Parent Class B
Common Stock are  transferred  to a Person who prior to such transfer  agrees in
writing to become a Stockholder hereunder and to assume, observe and perform all
agreements,  restrictions  and  limitations  contained  in this  Agreement  with
respect to such shares (and any shares into which they are converted pursuant to
such  transfer or  otherwise),  except that such Person shall not be required to
make the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 hereof.

                  "PERSON" shall mean an individual,  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company,  joint venture,  association,  trust,  unincorporated
organization or other entity.

                  "SHARES"  shall mean (i)  18,651,622  shares of Parent Class B
Common  Stock held by the  Trustees  pursuant  to the Voting  Trust (the  "TRUST
SHARES"),  (ii) all other Parent Securities which any Stockholder owns or has or
shares  the power to vote or cause to be voted of as of the date  hereof  (which
Parent  Securities  are set forth on  SCHEDULE  I  hereto),  (iii) any shares of
Parent  Securities  distributed  prior to the  termination  of this Agreement in
respect of the shares  described in the foregoing  clauses (i) or (ii) by reason
of a stock dividend, split-up, recapitalization,  reclassification, combination,
merger, exchange of shares or otherwise, and (iv) any other shares of the Parent
Securities  of which any  Stockholder  acquires the power to vote or cause to be
voted, either directly or indirectly, prior to the Effective Time.

                  "STOCKHOLDERS" shall mean (i) the Trustees in their capacities
as trustees  of the Voting  Trust,  (ii) Robert C. Penny III, in his  individual
capacity  and as trustee of any Holder under the Voting  Trust,  (iii) Melvin J.
Simon, in his individual  capacity and as trustee of any Holder under the Voting
Trust, and (iv) any Person who becomes a Stockholder  pursuant to clause (ii) of
the definition of Permitted Transfers.

                  "UNAFFILIATED  PERSONS" shall mean all Persons who are not (i)
the  Stockholders,  (ii)  directors of Parent,  (iii)  officers (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  as in effect
as of the  date  hereof)  of  Parent,  or  (iv)  members  of the  family  of any
Stockholder.

                  2. AGREEMENT TO VOTE SHARES.  The  Stockholders  shall, at any
meeting of the  holders of any class or  classes of Parent  Securities,  however
such  meeting is called and  regardless  of whether such meeting is a special or
annual meeting of the stockholders of Parent,  or in connection with any written
consent of the stockholders of

<PAGE>


Parent,  vote (or cause to be voted)  the  Shares in favor of the  Parent  Stock
Issuance,   the  Parent  Charter   Amendment  and  each  of  the  other  actions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, if, in the case of such matter, a majority
of the votes cast with respect to such matter by holders of Parent Stock who are
Unaffiliated Persons are voted in favor of such matter. Nothing contained herein
shall be  construed as to prevent or prohibit  the  Stockholders  from voting in
favor  of  any  such  matter  if the  condition  described  in  the  immediately
preceeding sentence is not satisfied.

                  3. COVENANTS OF  THE  STOCKHOLDERS.  Each  Stockholder  hereby
agrees and covenants that:

                  (a)  Restriction  on  Transfers.  Except as may  otherwise  be
agreed by the Company and except for Permitted Transfers,  the Stockholder shall
not (i)  transfer,  or consent to any transfer of, any or all of the Shares,  or
any interest  therein if such transfer would result in the Stockholder no longer
having  the power to vote or cause to be voted the Shares or (ii) enter into any
contract,  option or other agreement or  understanding  with respect to any such
transfer of any or all of the Shares, or any interest  therein.  As used herein,
the  term  "TRANSFER",  when  used as a verb,  means to  sell,  pledge,  assign,
encumber,  dispose of or otherwise transfer  (including by merger,  testamentary
disposition,   interspousal   disposition   pursuant  to  a  domestic  relations
proceeding or otherwise or other transfer by operation of law), or, when used as
a noun, means a sale, pledge,  assignment,  encumbrance,  disposition,  or other
transfer (including a merger, testamentary disposition, interspousal disposition
pursuant to a domestic  relations  proceeding or otherwise or other  transfer by
operation of law).

                  (b) Restrictions on Proxies and Voting Arrangements. Except as
otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  the Stockholder shall not: (i) grant any
proxy,  power-of-attorney  or  other  authorization  in or with  respect  to the
Shares;  (ii)  deposit  the Shares  into a voting  trust  (other than the Voting
Trust) or enter  into a voting  agreement  or  arrangement  with  respect to the
Shares (other than the Voting Trust);  or (iii) amend,  revoke or terminate,  or
consent to the amendment,  revocation or termination of, the Voting Trust in any
manner  that  would  impair  the  ability  of any  Stockholder  to  perform  the
agreements  contained  herein or otherwise be  inconsistent  with the provisions
hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (c) Stop  Transfer.  The  Stockholder  shall not request  that
Parent  register the transfer  (book-entry  or otherwise) of any  certificate or
uncertificated  interest representing any of the Shares, unless such transfer is
made in compliance with this Agreement.

                  (d) No Inconsistent  Arrangements.  The Stockholder  shall not
take any other action that would in any way  restrict,  limit or interfere  with
the performance of the Stockholder's  obligations  hereunder or the transactions
contemplated hereby or by the Merger Agreement.


<PAGE>


                  4. REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES   OF  STOCKHOLDERS.   Each
Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

                  (a)  Ownership  of  Securities  .  On  the  date  hereof,  the
Stockholder owns, directly or indirectly,  or has the power to direct the voting
of (either  individually  or together with another  Stockholder),  (i) the Trust
Shares and (ii) the Parent Securities set forth next to the  Stockholder's  name
on Schedule I hereto (the "OTHER SHARES").  The Trust Shares are owned of record
by the Trustees,  as trustees  under the Voting Trust,  and the Other Shares are
owned of record by the  Stockholders  (as set forth on Schedule  I). On the date
hereof, the Trust Shares and Other Shares constitute all of the shares of voting
capital stock of Parent owned of record or otherwise by such  Stockholder  or as
to which  such  Stockholder  has or shares the power to direct the voting of the
shares.  Each Stockholder has (or shares with another  Stockholder)  sole voting
power and sole power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth
in Section 2 hereof, sole power of disposition,  sole power of conversion,  sole
power (if any) to demand  appraisal rights and sole power to agree to all of the
matters set forth in this  Agreement,  in each case with  respect to all of such
Stockholder's Shares with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such
rights, subject to applicable securities laws and the terms of this Agreement.

                  (b) Power;  Binding  Agreement.  The Stockholder has the power
and  authority  to enter into and perform all of the  Stockholder's  obligations
under this Agreement.  Any proxies heretofore given in respect to the Shares are
not  irrevocable,  and any such  proxies  are  hereby  revoked.  The  execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the  Stockholder  will not violate
any other  agreement  to which the  Stockholder  is a party  including,  without
limitation,  the  Voting  Trust.  There are no other  voting  agreements,  proxy
arrangements, pledge agreements, shareholders agreements, voting trusts or trust
agreements in respect of any of the Trust Shares or Other Shares. This Agreement
has been  duly  and  validly  executed  and  delivered  by the  Stockholder  and
constitutes  a valid  and  binding  agreement  of the  Stockholder,  enforceable
against  the   Stockholder  in  accordance   with  its  terms,   except  as  the
enforceability thereof may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in effect that affect the enforcement
of creditors  rights  generally  or (b) general  principles  of equity,  whether
considered  in a proceeding at law or in equity.  There is no Person,  including
without  limitation a  beneficiary  or holder of a voting trust  certificate  or
other interest of any trust of which the Stockholder is a trustee, whose consent
is required for the execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the  compliance
by the Stockholder with the terms hereof.

                  (c)  No   Conflicts.   No   filing   with,   and  no   permit,
authorization,  consent or approval of, any  governmental  entity or  regulatory
authority is required for the execution of this Agreement by the Stockholder and
the  consummation by the Stockholder of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.
None of the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by the  Stockholder,  the
consummation  by the  Stockholder  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or
compliance  by the  Stockholder  with any of the  provisions  hereof  shall  (A)
conflict  with,  or  result  in any  breach  of,  any  organizational  documents


<PAGE>



applicable to the  Stockholder  (including  the Voting  Trust),  (B) result in a
violation  or breach of, or  constitute  (with or without due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default (or give rise to any third  party right of  termination,
cancellation,  material  modification or  acceleration)  under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, loan agreement, bond, mortgage, indenture,
license, contract, commitment,  arrangement,  understanding,  agreement or other
instrument or obligation of any kind to which the  Stockholder  is a party or by
which the  Stockholder or any of the  Stockholder's  properties or assets may be
bound, or (C) violate any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,  judgment,  order,
statute,  arbitration award, rule or regulation applicable to the Stockholder or
any of the Stockholder's properties or assets.

                  (d) No Liens.  Except as established  hereby, the Trust Shares
and Other Shares are now and, at all times during the term hereof,  will be held
by the  Stockholder,  or by a  nominee  or  custodian  for  the  benefit  of the
Stockholder,  free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests,  proxies,
voting  trusts  or  agreements,  understandings  or  arrangements  or any  other
encumbrances whatsoever.

                  5. TERMINATION.  Except  for Section 6(c) hereof  (which shall
survive any  termination of this  Agreement),  this Agreement and the covenants,
representations  and  warranties  and  agreements  contained  herein or  granted
pursuant hereto shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) the termination
of the Merger  Agreement  in  accordance  with  Article IX thereof  and (ii) the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Upon any
termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall thereupon become void and of
no further force and effect,  and there shall be no liability in respect of this
Agreement or of any  transactions  contemplated  hereby on the part of any party
hereto; provided,  however, that nothing herein shall relieve any party from any
liability for such party's willful breach of this Agreement.

                  6. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  (a) Specific  Performance.  Each party hereto  recognizes  and
agrees that if for any reason any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement are not
performed by the other parties in accordance  with their  specific  terms or are
otherwise breached,  immediate and irreparable harm or injury would be caused to
the  non-breaching  parties  for which  money  damages  would not be an adequate
remedy. Accordingly,  the parties agree that, in addition to any other available
remedies,   the  non-breaching  parties  shall  be  entitled  to  an  injunction
restraining  any  violation or  threatened  violation of the  provisions of this
Agreement without the necessity of the  non-breaching  parties posting a bond or
other form of security. In the event that any action should be brought in equity
to enforce  the  provisions  of this  Agreement,  the  breaching  party will not
allege,  and the  breaching  party hereby  waives the defense,  that there is an
adequate remedy at law.

                  (b)  Severability.  Any term or  provision  of this  Agreement
which  is  invalid  or  unenforceable  in any  jurisdiction  shall,  as to  that
jurisdiction,   be   ineffective   to  the   extent   of  such   invalidity   or
unenforceability  without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms
and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the


<PAGE>


validity or  enforceability  of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement
in any other jurisdiction.  Without limiting the foregoing,  with respect to any
provision  of  this  Agreement,  if it is  determined  by a court  of  competent
jurisdiction  to be  excessive  as to  duration  or  scope,  it is the  parties'
intention  that such  provision  nevertheless  be enforced to the fullest extent
which it may be enforced.

                  (c) Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance  with, the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,  PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS  AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF PARENT,  THE  COMPANY,  OR  SUBSIDIARY  IN THE
NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.

                  (d) Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  (e)  Descriptive  Headings;  Interpretation.  The  descriptive
headings  herein are inserted  for  convenience  of  reference  only and are not
intended  to be part of or to  affect  the  meaning  or  interpretation  of this
Agreement.

                  (f) Assignment;  Binding Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor
any of the rights,  interests or obligations  hereunder shall be assigned by any
of the parties  hereto  without the prior  written  consent of the other parties
hereto;  provided,  however,  that the Company shall be permitted to assign,  in
whole or in part, this Agreement or any of the rights,  interests or obligations
hereunder to any of its  subsidiaries  or Affiliates.  This  Agreement  shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable  by and against the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and
permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer on any other Person other than the parties hereto,  and their  respective
heirs,  legal  representatives,  successors and permitted  assigns,  any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

                  (g) Amendment, Modification and Waiver. This Agreement may not
be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument or instruments in writing
signed and delivered on behalf of the party hereto against whom such  amendment,
modification or waiver is sought to be entered.

                  (h)  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Voting
Agreement executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                /s/ Robert C. Penny III
                                Robert C. Penny III, as Trustee pursuant to
                                that certain Voting Trust Agreement dated
                                February 23, 1994, as amended among
                                Robert C. Penny III and Melvin J. Simon
                                as Trustees, and certain stockholders of Parent


                                /s/ Melvin J. Simon
                                Melvin J. Simon, as Trustee pursuant to that
                                certain Voting Trust Agreement dated February
                                23, 1994, as amended among Robert C. Penny,
                                 III  and   Melvin   J.   Simon   as
                                 Trustees,  and certain stockholders
                                 of Parent


                                TELTREND INC.


                                By: /s/ Douglas P. Hoffmeyer
                                Name: Dougplas P. Hoffmeyer
                                Title: Sr. Vice President, Finance


                                /s/ Robert C. Penny III
                                Robert C. Penny III, in the capacities specified
                                herein


                                /s/ Melvin J. Simon
                                Melvin J. Simon, in the capacities specified
                                herein



<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                  OTHER SHARES


Name                             Shares
- ----                             ------

Robert C. Penny III              0 Shares

Melvin J. Simon                  256,286  Shares of Parent Class B Common
                                 Stock held in trust for the benefit of
                                 Makayla G. Penny

                                 2,000 Shares of Parent Stock held in trust for
                                 the benefit of Makayla G. Penny





December 13, 1999


Westell Technologies, Inc.
750 North Commons Drive

Aurora, IL

Gentlemen:

                  Reference is made to the 6% Subordinated Convertible Debenture
("Debenture")  dated April 15, 1999 in the principal amount of $5,000,000 issued
by Westell  Technologies,  Inc.  ("Company ") to Capital Ventures  International
("Investor")  and the Stock Purchase Warrant  ("Warrant")  issued to Investor by
the Company dated April 15, 1999 for the right to purchase 227,273 shares of the
Company Class A common stock.

                  This  Letter  Agreement  documents  the  following  agreements
between Investor and the Company:

         1. In  consideration  of the issuance  described in Paragraph 2 of this
Letter Agreement,  Investor agrees that as to any transaction first announced by
December 31, 1999, the phrase  "except for issuances  which do not exceed 20% of
the Class A Common Stock " in the first  sentence of Section 4(e) of the Warrant
and the first  sentence of Section 8.3 of the Debenture  shall be deemed to read
"except for issuances to shareholders of the other party which do not exceed 41%
(calculated on an after issuance basis) of the outstanding  common stock of both
classes of the Company."

         2. The  Warrant  is hereby  amended to reduce  the  Exercise  Price (as
defined in the Warrant) from $8.9208 to $5.9208,  subject to further  adjustment
from time to time in accordance with the Warrant. The number of shares of Common
Stock  issuable  upon exercise of the Warrant shall not be adjusted by reason of
the reduction in Exercise Price effected by this Paragraph 2; and there shall be
no further Exercise Price adjustment  pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Warrant on
account of a Company  Transaction which is subject to the waiver of Paragraph 1.
There shall be no adjustment to the Conversion  Price of the Debenture by virtue
of the Warrant Exercise Price adjustment herein.

         3. The  Investor  hereby  releases  and waives any claims  against  the
Company  for  money  payments,  damages,  Warrant  Exercise  Price  adjustments,
Debenture  Conversion Price  adjustments or otherwise which arise or could arise
or be assertable by reason of any action or occurrence under Section 8.10 of the
Debenture or Section 4(l) of the Warrant from April 15, 1999 through the date of
this Letter Agreement.

<PAGE>



         4. It is  acknowledged  that the " six month  period" in the proviso of
the penultimate sentence of Section 8.10 of the Debenture and the proviso in the
last sentence of Section 4(l) of the Warrant is the period  beginning  April 15,
1999 and ending February 28, 2000.

         5. Each party  represents  and warrants to the other that the execution
of this Letter Agreement by it has been authorized by all necessary  corporation
action,  including,  for the  Company,  by its Board of  Directors.  This Letter
Agreement  shall  constitute  an amendment to both the Debenture and the Warrant
and shall bind successor  holders to the Debenture and the Warrant.  The Company
shall not be required  to register  any  transfer  of the  Debenture  or Warrant
unless the  transferee  acknowledges  the  amendment  thereto  under this Letter
Agreement.

         6. The undersigned  acknowledges  that the Company may be entering into
agreements with the other holders of warrants and debentures issued on April 15,
1999 which address the matters covered by this Letter Agreement.  There shall be
no adjustment to the Warrant Exercise Price or the Debenture Conversion Price on
account of execution of any such agreements.


                                        Capital Ventures International
                                        By Heights Capital Management, as agent


                                        By /s/Andrew Frost, president

Westell Technologies, Inc.

By/s/ Marc Zionts, executive vice president
  -------------------------------------------









December 13, 1999


Westell Technologies, Inc.
750 North Commons Drive
Aurora, IL

Gentlemen:

                  Reference is made to the 6% Subordinated Convertible Debenture
("Debenture")  dated April 15, 1999 in the principal amount of $9,000,000 issued
by Westell  Technologies,  Inc. ("Company ") to Castle Creek Technology Partners
LLC ("Investor") and the Stock Purchase Warrant  ("Warrant")  issued to Investor
by the Company dated April 15, 1999 for the right to purchase  409,091 shares of
the Company Class A common stock.

         Section 4(e) of the Warrant provides that in the event of certain Major
Transactions (as defined  therein),  the holder of the Warrant shall be entitled
to either  (A)  retain  the  warrant  pursuant  to the  clause  (a) of the first
sentence of Section 4(e) or (B) receive specified  consideration in exchange for
the  Warrant  pursuant  to clause  (b)(i) or  (b)(ii) of the first  sentence  of
Section 4(e).

         Section  8.3 of the  Debenture  provides  that in the event of  certain
Major  Transactions (as defined  therein),  the holder of the Debenture shall be
entitled  at its option to receive  specified  consideration  for the  Debenture
pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of Section 8.3.

                  This  Letter  Agreement  documents  the  following  agreements
between Investor and the Company:

         1. In  consideration  of the reduction in Exercise Price (as defined in
the  Warrant)  described  in  paragraph  2 of this  Letter  Agreement,  Investor
irrevocably  waives any right to receive any  consideration  specified in clause
(b)(ii)  of  the  first  sentence  of  Section  4(e)  of  the  Warrant  and  any
consideration  specified in clause (ii) of the first  sentence of Section 8.3 of
the  Debenture in  connection  with any Company  Transaction  (as defined in the
Warrant and the Debenture)  which is first announced  within sixty days from the
date hereof in which the shares issued in the transaction to shareholders of the
other party do not exceed 41% (on an after  issuance  basis) of the  outstanding
common stock of both classes of the Company.

         2. The  Warrant  is hereby  amended to reduce  the  Exercise  Price (as
defined in the Warrant) from $8.9208 to $5.9208,  subject to further  adjustment
from time to time in accordance with the Warrant. The number of shares of Common
Stock  issuable  upon exercise of the Warrant shall not be adjusted by reason of
the reduction in Exercise Price


<PAGE>


effected  by this  Paragraph  2; and there  shall be no further  Exercise  Price
adjustment  pursuant  to  Section  4(a) of the  Warrant  on account of a Company
Transaction  which is subject to the waiver of  Paragraph  1. There  shall be no
adjustment  to the  Conversion  Price of the  Debenture by virtue of the Warrant
Exercise Price adjustment herein.

         3. The  Investor  hereby  releases  and waives any claims  against  the
Company for Warrant  Exercise Price  adjustments or Debenture  Conversion  Price
adjustments  which arise or could arise or be assertable by reason of any action
or occurrence under Section 8.10 of the Debenture or Section 4(l) of the Warrant
from April 15, 1999 through the date of this Letter Agreement.

         4. Each party  represents  and warrants to the other that the execution
of this Letter Agreement by it has been authorized by all necessary  corporation
action,  including,  for the  Company,  by its Board of  Directors.  This Letter
Agreement  shall  constitute  an amendment to both the Debenture and the Warrant
and shall bind successor holders to the Debenture and the Warrant and successors
to the  Company.  The Company  shall not be required to register any transfer of
the  Debenture  or Warrant  unless the  transferee  acknowledges  the  amendment
thereto under this Letter Agreement.

         5. The undersigned  acknowledge  that the Company intends to enter into
agreements  ("Other  Agreements")  with the other holders  ("Other  Holders") of
warrants  and  debentures  issued on April 15,  1999 which  address  the matters
covered by this Letter  Agreement.  There shall be no  adjustment to the Warrant
Exercise Price or the Debenture  Conversion Price on account of execution of the
Other Agreements. The Company covenants that in the event that the provisions of
this Letter  Agreement  are not  substantially  as  beneficial  to Investor (but
reflecting the relative  holdings of warrants and debentures of Investor and the
Other Holders) as the provisions contained in any of the Other Agreements,  then
the Investor may upon  written  notice to the Company  given within five days of
receipt of a copy of the Other  Agreements  elect to be governed by the terms of
such more favorable Other Agreement  (adjusted for relative  holdings),  and the
Company shall enter with Investor into a modification  of this Letter  Agreement
to reflect all of the terms of such Other Agreement.

                                        Castle Creek Technology Partners LLC
                                        By Castle Creek Partners LLC,
                                        Investment Manager

                                        By /s/John Ziegelman
                                           -----------------

Westell Technologies, Inc.

By /s/Marc Zionts, Executive Vice President
 ------------------------------------------






December 13, 1999


Westell Technologies, Inc.
750 North Commons Drive
Aurora, IL

Gentlemen:

                  Reference is made to the 6% Subordinated Convertible Debenture
("Debenture")  dated April 15, 1999 in the principal amount of $6,000,000 issued
by Westell Technologies,  Inc. ("Company ") to Marshall Capital Management, Inc.
("Investor")  and the Stock Purchase Warrant  ("Warrant")  issued to Investor by
the Company dated April 15, 1999 for the right to purchase 272,727 shares of the
Company Class A common stock.


         Section 4(e) of the Warrant provides that in the event of certain Major
Transactions (as defined  therein),  the holder of the Warrant shall be entitled
to either  (A)  retain  the  warrant  pursuant  to the  clause  (a) of the first
sentence of Section 4(e) or (B) receive specified  consideration in exchange for
the  Warrant  pursuant  to clause  (b)(i) or  (b)(ii) of the first  sentence  of
Section 4(e).

         Section  8.3 of the  Debenture  provides  that in the event of  certain
Major  Transactions (as defined  therein),  the holder of the Debenture shall be
entitled  at its option to receive  specified  consideration  for the  Debenture
pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of Section 8.3.

                  This  Letter  Agreement  documents  the  following  agreements
between Investor and the Company:

         1. In  consideration  of the reduction in Exercise Price (as defined in
the  Warrant)  described  in  paragraph  2 of this  Letter  Agreement,  Investor
irrevocably  waives any right to receive any  consideration  specified in clause
(b)(ii)  of  the  first  sentence  of  Section  4(e)  of  the  Warrant  and  any
consideration  specified in clause (ii) of the first  sentence of Section 8.3 of
the  Debenture in  connection  with any Company  Transaction  (as defined in the
Warrant and the Debenture)  which is first  announced prior to December 31, 1999
in which the shares issued in the transaction to shareholders of the other party
do not exceed 41% (on an after issuance basis) of the  outstanding  common stock
of both classes of the Company.

         2. The  Warrant  is hereby  amended to reduce  the  Exercise  Price (as
defined in the Warrant) from $8.9208 to $5.9208,  subject to further  adjustment
from time to time in accordance with the Warrant. The number of shares of Common
Stock  issuable  upon exercise of the Warrant shall not be adjusted by reason of
the reduction in Exercise Price


<PAGE>


effected  by this  Paragraph  2; and there  shall be no further  Exercise  Price
adjustment  pursuant  to  Section  4(a) of the  Warrant  on account of a Company
Transaction  which is subject to the waiver of  Paragraph  1. There  shall be no
adjustment  to the  Conversion  Price of the  Debenture by virtue of the Warrant
Exercise Price adjustment herein.


         3. The  Investor  hereby  releases  and waives any claims  against  the
Company for Warrant  Exercise Price  adjustments or Debenture  Conversion  Price
adjustments  which arise or could arise or be assertable by reason of any action
or occurrence under Section 8.10 of the Debenture or Section 4(l) of the Warrant
from April 15, 1999 through the date of this Letter Agreement.

         4. Each party  represents  and warrants to the other that the execution
of this Letter Agreement by it has been authorized by all necessary  corporation
action,  including,  for the  Company,  by its Board of  Directors.  This Letter
Agreement  shall  constitute  an amendment to both the Debenture and the Warrant
and shall bind successor holders to the Debenture and the Warrant and successors
to the  Company.  The Company  shall not be required to register any transfer of
the  Debenture  or Warrant  unless the  transferee  acknowledges  the  amendment
thereto under this Letter Agreement.

         5. The undersigned  acknowledge  that the Company intends to enter into
agreements  ("Other  Agreements")  with the other holders  ("Other  Holders") of
warrants  and  debentures  issued on April 15,  1999 which  address  the matters
covered by this Letter  Agreement.  There shall be no  adjustment to the Warrant
Exercise Price or the Debenture  Conversion Price on account of execution of the
Other Agreements. The Company covenants that in the event that the provisions of
this Letter  Agreement  are not  substantially  as  beneficial  to Investor (but
reflecting the relative  holdings of warrants and debentures of Investor and the
Other Holders) as the provisions contained in any of the Other Agreements,  then
the Investor may upon  written  notice to the Company  given within five days of
receipt of a copy of the Other  Agreements  elect to be governed by the terms of
such more favorable Other Agreement  (adjusted for relative  holdings),  and the
Company shall enter with Investor into a modification  of this Letter  Agreement
to reflect all of the terms of such Other Agreement.


                                              Marshall Capital Management, Inc.


                                              By /s/ Allan Wein, its president
                                                 -----------------------------
Westell Technologies, Inc.

By_/s/ Marc Zionts, Executive Vice President
  ------------------------------------------





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