Company Press Release
GTE Internetworking Selects Ascend to Help Build New
ATM/Frame Relay Data Network
GTE Internetworking selects Ascend's Frame Relay and ATM
Switches--differentiated data service capability and Navis end-to-end service
management were critical factors
DALLAS and ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1998-- GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE
Corp. (NYSE:GTE - news) and one of the nation's leading providers of Internet access and value-added services, today
announced an agreement with Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASND - news) to build the ATM/Frame
Relay service capability of its new GTE Global Network Infrastructure (GNI). GTE Internetworking initially will deploy
24 Ascend GX 550 ATM Core, CBX 500 Multiservice ATM and B-STDX 9000 Multiservice Frame Relay switches.
GTE Internetworking will manage this new ATM/Frame Relay network with Ascend's NavisCore and NavisXtend
end-to-end network management products.
The GNI is a nationwide facilities-based network providing cost-effective, differentiated data services. Spanning more
than 108 cities and covering the major business-critical data markets in North America, the GNI network is designed to
provide dedicated IP, ATM, Frame Relay, and private-line services. Advanced packaged offerings, such as managed
IP, Internet service, dial-up, web hosting and web content services, will also be supported. GTE Internetworking
expects this initial deployment of Ascend switches to be completed in June 1998.
''Ascend's switches have the technical superiority and service capabilities we need to be successful in the competitive
data services market,'' said Steve Blumenthal, Vice President, General Manager, Global Network Infrastructure, GTE
Internetworking. ''We are building a new network from the ground up for data service delivery. After conducting an
extensive evaluation, we chose Ascend to assist us in building this portion of the GNI network. We intend to use
additional Ascend switches as the GNI grows.''
In selecting the products for its new GNI network, GTE cited Ascend's leading position in the WAN switch market,
including the company's new GX 550 ATM Core switch that combines high-capacity with intelligence and network
management --- as critical deciding factors. GTE will use the GX 550 for OC-48 trunking at the core of the GNI
network, the CBX 500 for ATM access and aggregation, and the B-STDX 9000 switches for Frame Relay aggregation.
Additionally, the Navis products will be used for end-to-end network management and point-and-click provisioning
across all platforms.
''We are very happy to be working with GTE Internetworking in this new endeavor,'' said Dan Smith, Executive Vice
President and General Manager, Core Systems Division, Ascend Communications, Inc. ''In building the GNI, GTE
Internetworking recognizes the importance of the Internet services and data transmission markets and is positioned to be
a leader in these markets. We believe our switching and network management technologies will empower GTE
Internetworking with the competitive edge to succeed in this markets.''
In February, Ascend announced that GTE Network Services, a unit of GTE Corp., has certified the CBX 500
Multiservice ATM switch for deployment throughout GTE's nationwide network. To date, GTE Network Services has
deployed the CBX 500s in 15 cities around the United States. In addition to the CBX 500 switches, GTE Network
Services has 140 B-STDX 9000 Multiservice Frame Relay switches in its network.
About GTE Internetworking
GTE Internetworking, a unit of GTE Corporation (NYSE:GTE - news), includes BBN Corporation, which 28 years ago
developed the ARPANET, the forerunner to today's Internet, and GTE Intelligent Network Services, which provides
Internet services to consumers and small businesses. With its acquisition of Genuity, Inc. in December 1997, GTE
Internetworking now has 12 global data centers and a unique load-balancing technology for Web hosting.
GTE Internetworking offers customers, from consumers to Fortune 500 companies, a full spectrum of integrated Internet
services using IP networking technologies. GTE Internetworking delivers complete network solutions, including dial-up
and dedicated Internet access, high-performance Web hosting, managed Internet security, network management,
systems integration, and Web-based application development for integrating the Internet into business operations. GTE
Internetworking draws upon BBN's expertise in funded research and development of advanced technologies, including
satellites, digital radio, multigigabit routers, security, and speech, and GTE's strong existing telecommunications services,
including local and long distance, wireless, paging, video, and Internet. The address for the GTE Internetworking home
page is bbn.com.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for
telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide. Press and industry analysts,
please contact Lucia Graziano, Ascend Communications, 978-952-1291, lucia.graziano@ascend.com; Julie Asher,
Alexander Communications, 404-897-2300, jasher@alexandercom.com; Investors and financial analysts, please
contact: Kristina Graziano, 510-747-2345, kristina.graziano@ascend.com; for all other inquiries please call toll-free:
800/ASCEND4.
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. Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda,
Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510-814-2300.
The foregoing statements may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve
risks and 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. |
