ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1999--
Frontline Multiservice Network to Provide Greater Efficiency
and Service Variety to Small Businesses
Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking
(WAN) and Intelligent Network (IN) solutions for providers and users of the
next-generation public network, today announced that Frontline Communications
Corp. (Nasdaq:FCCN), a regional Internet service provider (ISP), is deploying
Ascend's Multiservice core and access solutions to provide data services for
small businesses in the Northeast.
Working with Ascend to develop its infrastructure, Frontline will offer
enhanced data communications services, such as, Frame Relay service and digital
subscriber line (DSL) services. These new services will be delivered via
Ascend's multiservice core, access and Signaling System 7 (SS7) signaling
solutions enabling Frontline to lower operational costs and increase its network
flexibility.
"We chose to partner with Ascend because they understand our long-term
business objectives and offer the full spectrum of tools and services to help us
achieve them -- from proven core switching products to on-site service
professionals," said Stephen J. Cole-Hatchard, president of Frontline
Communications. "Only Ascend can empower us with a total end-to-end solution to
leverage operational efficiencies, increase our management options, and allow us
to roll-out new services quickly."
As part of its initiative to build and manage three "SuperPOPs," Frontline
will utilize a variety of Ascend solutions. Frontline is using the Ascend
market-leading CBX 500(TM) Multiservice ATM switch to build out its asynchronous
transfer mode (ATM) core backbone, the B-STDX(TM) 9000 Multiservice WAN switch
for Frame Relay concentration of Internet traffic, and the MAX TNT(TM) WAN
access switch with the Ascend Signaling Gateway (ASG) to provide greater network
efficiency as Frontline begins to deliver services from its competitive local
exchange carrier (CLEC) subsidiary, CLEC Communications. Frontline is also
utilizing NavisCore(TM) and NavisAccess(TM) network management products.
To enable Frontline to build new data services, the company is working with
Ascend's Global Integration Services (GIS) business unit to implement Ascend's
next-generation public network solutions and ensure rapid service deployment.
"Frontline is poised to offer innovative, cost-effective, and reliable data
communications services to small and medium-sized businesses with its
next-generation network," said Dave Misunas, vice president of marketing and
product management, Core Systems Division, Ascend Communications, Inc. "Their
Ascend network will deliver a greater range of service offerings at competitive
price points -- including ATM, Frame Relay and DSL solutions."
About Frontline Communications
Frontline Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:FCCN) is an Internet service provider
that offers "Effortless E-Commerce and Internet Access(TM)" to individual and
business subscribers located in the northeast United States. Frontline currently
serves thousands of subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Frontline is following an aggressive acquisition strategy. Since going public in
May 1998, Frontline has acquired three ISPs and one E-commerce company and is
continuing to target and acquire ISPs, E-commerce, and Web development
companies. Frontline's goal is to be the dominant provider of E-commerce
solutions and Internet access for small business in the Northeast.
In 1998, CLEC Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, was
granted CLEC status by the New York State Public Service Commission. CLEC
filings in additional states are planned for the near future.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND) develops, manufactures, sells and
services wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers,
Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend
Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to info@ascend.com. For Investor
Relations, please call our communications hotline at 800-648-3059 or
760-704-4423 (outside the US & Canada). Additional investor information can also
be accessed on our Web site at: ascend.com. Ascend is
headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif.
94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510-814-2300.
In January 1999, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement") with Lucent Technologies Inc. ("Lucent"), pursuant to which,
each outstanding share of Ascend common stock will be exchanged for 0.825 shares
of Lucent common stock and each outstanding option or warrant to purchase Ascend
common stock will be converted into an option or warrant to purchase Lucent
common stock (adjusted for the exchange ratio).
In February 1999, Lucent announced a two-for-one stock split, payable on April
1, 1999, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 1999. Under the terms of the
Merger Agreement, the exchange ratio will be adjusted for the effect of this
stock split and any similar changes in the capitalization of Lucent.
The foregoing statements may contain forward looking statements that are based
on current expectations and involve risks or uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from these expectations as a result of factors including, but
not limited to, the Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new
products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's
dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in
its products, risks inherent in international sales, seasonality and general
economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K,
10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT: Ascend Communications, Inc.
Todd Koch, 510/747-2672
todd.koch@ascend.com
or
Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations
Christine Andrews, 415/923-1660 ext. 138
candrews@alexanderogilvy.com
or
Frontline
Lee Skablow, 516/599-3240
investinfo@fcc.net
07:04 EDT APRIL 13, 1999
|
