ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1998--Ascend Communications, Inc.
(Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers and users of the public
network, today was recognized by GTE as the "Best in Class" among suppliers in the Data category for
1997 in ceremonies held recently as part of GTE's Suppliers of Excellence recognition program.
Earlier this year, GTE Internetworking announced an agreement with Ascend to build the ATM/Frame
Relay service capability of its new GTE Global Network Infrastructure (GNI). GTE Internetworking
deployed Ascend's market leading GX 550 ATM Core, CBX 500 Multiservice ATM, and B-STDX 9000
Multiservice Frame Relay switches. For more information on this announcement see Ascend's Web site at
ascend.com.
GTE conducts a supplier quality program to ensure high performance standards among its suppliers.
Ascend was selected as one of eleven "Best in Class" recipients in ten different supplier categories --
customer premises equipment, outside plant, outside plant contractor, transmission, computer consultants,
data, switching, testing and support, central office engineering and installation contractors, and
telemarketers.
They were selected from more than a thousand companies worldwide that provide products and
services to GTE.
"GTE gratefully acknowledges Ascend's performance as 'Best in Class' in 1997, as well as all those
who succeeded in providing us with materials and resources of outstanding value," said Larry Henry, vice
president and general manager -- GTE Supply.
Suppliers are evaluated on their ability to deliver on time, provide competitive prices and superior
value, offer high quality customer service -- even during emergency situations, and provide top quality
products and services. Using these criteria, GTE narrowed the field to 60 companies, which were
designated "Suppliers of Excellence."
Of these, eleven were selected as "Best in Class," or leaders in their particular category, based on
quality scores, consistency of performance, a review of quality processes, and degree of complexity in
serving the GTE account.
"We regard our suppliers as allies in enabling GTE to better serve our own customers in the
competitive telecommunications marketplace," Henry said. "With their help, 1997 was a landmark year
for us."
"We are honored to be recognized by such a high caliber company as GTE," said Mory Ejabat,
president and chief executive officer of Ascend Communications, Inc.
"Receiving an award of this magnitude highlights our dedication to consistent quality and innovative
solutions that address the unique needs of leading-edge customers like GTE. We are proud to supply GTE
with our market-leading core and access networking technologies that enable them to utilize their network
infrastructure to the fullest."
About GTE
With 1997 revenues of more than $23 billion in 1997, GTE is one of the world's largest
telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services.
In the United States, GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless services in 17 states;
nationwide long-distance and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential
and small-business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies; as well as video
service in selected markets.
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 U.S. & Canada).
Additional investor information can also be accessed on our website 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.
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.
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CONTACT: GTE
Briana Gowing, 972/718-4015
briana.gowing@telops.gte.com
or
Alexander Communications
Meredith Valt, 415/923-1660
mvalt@alexandercom.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
