PARK CITY, Utah, Aug 10, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --  InvestAmerica, Inc. (Optica
Communications Group Inc.) (OTCBB:INVT) announced today it has completed initial
evaluations of all vendor proposals received from it's Request for Information
(RFI). "We wish to thank all participating vendors for their efforts and
submissions," stated Neil Wieler, Director of Technology Development.
 
"The result of these initial evaluations is a short list of six vendor
candidates in two categories. Corvis, Nortel Networks and Sycamore are the three
vendors under consideration for the Optical DWDM (Dense Wave Division
Multiplexing) equipment while Lucent, Juniper and 3Com round out the IP
equipment candidates. The final selection process, now underway, involves site
visits and definitive contract discussions with each remaining vendor candidate.
Our decision has been a difficult one given the extremely high quality responses
and we have extended our timeframe to allow extra time to thoroughly evaluate
each vendor. The two successful companies will be announced within six weeks.
The resulting purchase contracts totaling $500,000,000 will be delivered over a
two year period."
 
Wieler added, "Our network, when deployed, will be the most technologically
advanced network in North America bringing substantial cost benefits to our
customers."
 
Optica Communications Inc. is a developing, international communications
company, creating a global fiber optic network, to deliver advanced IP and ATM
network solutions. We are a carriers' carrier providing fiber optic-based
bandwidth and bandwidth-derived services to retail carriers for use in their
backbone networks. The initial North American network will consist of 22,000
route miles and will be operational within the first quarter of 2002, with
service on select routes during 2001.
 
For further information, please direct all inquiries to: Brian Kitts: Telephone:
435/615-8801, InvestAmerica Inc. D.B. (Doug) Thomas, 604/861-9660, Optica
Communications Inc. opticacommunication.com
mailto:dthomas@opticacommunication.com
 
Statements about the company's future expectations and all other statements in
this press release other than historical facts and "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as the term is defined in the Private
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
The company intends that such "forward-looking statements" be subject to the
safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the company's actual
results may differ materially from expected results.
 
 
 CONTACT:          InvestAmerica Inc.
                   Brian Kitts, 435/615-8801
                   or
                   Optica Communications Inc.
                   D.B.(Doug) Thomas, 604/861-9660,
                   dthomas@opticacommunication.com
                   opticacommunication.com