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Tuesday April 13, 7:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Frontline Communications Selects Ascend Solutions to Build Regional
Backbone Network and Deliver New Services
Frontline Multiservice Network to Provide Greater Efficiency and Service
Variety to Small Businesses
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1999-- Ascend
Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND - news), 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 - news), 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 - news) 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 - news) 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.
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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 |
