Hong Kong, December 12, 2001 - IT products distributor and e-enabling solution provider Artel Solutions Group Holdings Limited (SEHK: 931), has received confirmation of its sales achievement as the authorized agent for F5 Networks, Inc. Amongst F5 Networks international distributors, ARTEL has been ranked second largest in terms of sales of the product for the company, behind Japan's Tokyo Electron with NTT-ME Corporation ranked third.

On December 5, 2001, F5 Networks senior management - Mr John McAdam, President and CEO and Mr Steve Goldman, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services arrived in Hong Kong from Seattle to meet with ARTEL's Chairman, Mr Danny Yu to discuss ARTEL's role in F5's worldwide strategy. Also present during this meeting from F5 was Mr Leigh Wilson, Vice President Asia Pacific, Mr Francis Zhang, Director of Greater China, and Mr Francis Ng, General Manager - Hong Kong.

"ARTEL was appointed F5 Networks' distribution agent in Hong Kong and China in March this year. We are very proud to announce that within a few months, we have become one of F5 Networks' chief distribution agents. The visit from F5 senior management further enhances and reflects the close alliance between the two companies," noted Mr Danny Yu, Chairman of Artel Solutions Group.

"Our outstanding sales performance also shows that we are now comparable to other distributors from Asia's strong power, Japan."

As a professional IT products distributor, ARTEL owns a very strong and extensive distribution network in Hong Kong and China and is one of Intel's most significant strategic partners in China. Taking into account the vast potential of the China market and ARTEL's professional distribution capabilities - F5 appointed ARTEL as its sole distributor in Hong Kong and major distributor in China.

ARTEL will offer F5 Networks' award winning product suite as part of their extensive range of network hardware and software solutions. By combining their e-Business expertise and application knowledge with the resources of F5 Networks, ARTEL will be in a position to support a broader spectrum of customers. The move also allows ARTEL to bring value to its customer by helping to ensure that mission-critical websites are available around the clock.

"ARTEL's extensive distribution network will allow for timely supply of F5 products to the growing market for F5 products through their reseller channel in China," said Mr John McAdam, F5 Networks' President and CEO, "Currently, Asia represents a significant stage in the development of F5. We see ARTEL as an ideal way to bolster our distribution efforts and expand internationally, significantly broadening our global presence."

Founded more than 5 years ago, F5 Networks has over 3,500 customers - including some of the biggest enterprises, carriers and web hosters worldwide such as Intel, Microsoft, American Airlines, eBay, USA Today, AT&T, Bell, Apple Computer and WorldCom, who trust F5's leading-edge technologies to support their Internet business initiatives.

F5 Networks' suite of products include the award-winning BIG-IP® family of controllers as well as the recently released high-performance versions of the 3-DNS® Controller, EDGE-FX^TM Cache, GLOBAL-SITE^TM Content Controller, and SEE-IT^TM Network Manager. These Internet traffic and content management products are part of F5 Networks Internet Control Architecture^TM, which defines a complete and unfied architectural solution for the distribution, delivery and control of content and applications.

F5 Network recently launched BIG-IP® 5000, the industry's first IP (Internet Protocol) Application Switch uniquely designed to manage traffic for current and next generation web services and applications.

About Artel Solutions Group Holdings Limited
Artel Solutions Group (SEHK: 931) is a hi-tech company specialized in distributing IT products and the provision of integrated e-enabling hardware and software solutions. Apart from achieving an outstanding track record in the distribution of computer components, IT and networking products, ARTEL has successfully developed an effective distribution network and built up a strong client relationship network. ARTEL's corporate objective is to provide comprehensive e-enabling solutions and the convenience of one-stop shop services offering its clients a wide range of products including computer accessories (processors, motherboards, hard discs, mobile storage devices etc.), network products (switches, routers, network interface cards, hubs and other state-of-the-art internet storage and server appliance), as well as e-business application software and services.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, ARTEL has access to over 700 non-exclusive Hong Kong based authorized dealers and system integrators directly and to over 5,000 authorized dealers, 700 authorized value added resellers and system integrators in the PRC through its nine exclusive PRC sub-distributors located in 17 major cities in the PRC. For more information, please go to: www.artelholdings.com.

About F5 Networks
F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) is the leader in Internet Traffic and Content Management (iTCM), and delivers application aware networks through its open Internet Control Architecture. F5 features the industry's leading set of integrated products and services that manage, control and optimize-Internet traffic and content. F5's solutions automatically and intelligently deliver the best possible Internet performance, availability and content distribution for service providers, enterprises and e-businesses. Our products remove bandwidth congestion and optimize the availability and speed of mission-critical Internet servers and applications, including web publishing, content delivery, e-commerce, caching, firewalls and more. Our solutions are widely deployed in large enterprises, the top service providers, financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare, and portals throughout the world. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Wahsington, and has offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information please go to our corporate website at www.f5.com.

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Issued by :
Artel Solutions Group Holdings Limited

Enquiry :
Artel Solutions Group Holdings Limited
Jessie Hui
Tel: 852-2756 2992 / e-mail: jessie_hui@artelholdings.com

F5 Networks Singapore
Ann O'Rourke
Tel: 65-533 6103 / e-mail: aorourke@f5.com

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Stella To or Veronica Yum
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