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Technology Stocks : Ascend Communications (ASND) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Glenn D. Rudolph who wrote (55224)	10/5/1998 8:37:00 AM
From: Edward J. Edwards, III	Respond to of 61433

ASCEND ACCELERATES NEXT GENERATION OF ACCESS SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS; COMPANY'S MARKET-LEADING ACCESS TECHNOLOGY ENABLES VALUE-ADDED SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS, BUILDS ON THE NEXT-GENERATION ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O), the leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers and users of the public network, today unveiled its next-generation Access Solutions strategy that focuses on the unique needs of service provider and enterprise customers in the face of a shifting telecom/datacom market. As the networking industry moves from simple dial-access to more advanced data services, Ascend is driving the market for solutions that extend the profitability of its leading-edge customers. Ascend's Access Solutions today encompass four broad categories, including MultiVPN, MultiVoice, Carrier Signaling, and Last Mile Access Solutions. State of the Market The convergence of voice, fax, and data services on The Next-Generation Public Network is creating opportunities for new profit-building and cost-efficient solutions for service provider and corporate customers. Ascend's Access Solutions, which tightly integrate market-leading access technologies with Ascend's ATM and Frame Relay WAN switching capabilities, enable customers to take advantage of these innovations in the new public network. The changing market is driving the need for carriers and ISPs to develop revenue-generating, carrier-class services like network wholesaling and advanced voice and VPN services. This changing market is also driving enterprise customers to demand more cost-effective network solutions like VPNs and IP-based services that reduce total cost of network ownership. Ascend is meeting this customer demand with integrated voice and data capabilities that enable MultiVoice and MultiVPN solutions, advanced Carrier Signaling functions, and optimized Last Mile Access Solutions, including Networking Wholesaling and DSL. "As the largest independent Internet service provider focused on international business needs, PSINet maintains a best-of-breed strategy when choosing and implementing core network technologies. Ascend consistently delivers innovative solutions that meet these basic demands," said Mark Fedor, vice president of engineering for PSINet Inc. (Nasdaq:PSIX.O). "As we continue to aggressively expand our global network and develop the next generation of business applications, we are confident that PSINet and Ascend will continue to develop the technologies and solutions needed to succeed in this competitive market." The Future of Access Solutions is Now Built on its market-leading MAX(tm) and MAX TNT(tm) WAN access switching platform, and powered by the True Access(tm) Operating System, Ascend's Access Solutions are implemented and managed with the Navis family of network management products and Ascend's Global Integrated Services organization. "Ascend understands our need to deliver innovative and cost-effective networking solutions to our growing customer base," said John Martis, chief operating officer for American Digital Network. "Ascend delivers advanced Frame Relay and Voice over IP applications that help us meet our customer demand. As we continue to expand our service offerings into the 21st century, we will look to Ascend as a key partner." Ascend's Access Solutions include: -- MultiVPN(tm): MultiVPN cost-effectively and securely extends enterprise customers' network to the converged voice and data Next-Generation Public Network, while creating additional value-added, revenue-generating opportunities for service providers. As the leader in the VPN market, according to a study by Frost & Sullivan, Ascend is advancing its MultiVPN solution to increase VPN usage using Internet, carrier IP, Frame Relay, and ATM architectures. -- MultiVoice(tm): Ascend's MultiVoice solution supplies service providers and enterprise customers with advanced Voice and Fax over IP applications. Ascend is extending its MultiVoice solution for Voice and Fax over IP, ATM and Frame Relay services to provide more robust voice features and integrated cost-efficient SS7 capabilities. -- Carrier Signaling: Ascend's proposed acquisition of Stratus Computer, Inc. will supply a fault-tolerant platform, SS7 and Intelligent Network (IN) products for tighter integration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with the Next-Generation Public Network. Using this carrier-class platform, Ascend is the first to provide transparent use of existing SS7 networks to route voice, fax, and data calls over IP, ATM, and Frame Relay networks to offload the PSTN. This capability effectively offloads the PSTN and creates new service capabilities for the future of packet-switched over circuit-switched networks. -- Last Mile Solutions: Ascend's multi-service access technologies, including DSL, Frame Relay concentration, and network wholesaling enable advanced customer connectivity to the network and creates opportunities for service providers to differentiate and broaden their class of services. "Ascend is redefining the way the industry thinks about the access market. Enterprise customers are demanding more cost-effective solutions from their service providers, causing service providers to demand more innovative solutions from their networking vendors. Ascend is working closely with customers and is one step ahead in providing innovative, next-generation access solutions that benefit both the service provider market and the enterprise," said Kurt Bauer, vice president, Access Product Marketing. Related Access Solutions Announcements MultiVoice Solution - ascend.com MultiVPN Solution - ascend.com Carrier-Signaling Solution - ascend.com Network Wholesaling Solution - ascend.com Remote Access Concentrator Market Share Leadership - ascend.com Frame Relay and ATM Market Share Leadership - ascend.com Stratus Computer Acquisition - ascend.com Alcatel Alliance - ascend.com Cable & Wireless Customer Win - ascend.com MultiVPN SecureConnect/Pipeline announced today. MultiVPN Market Leadership announced today. About Ascend Communications Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O) 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. 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.

To: Glenn D. Rudolph who wrote (55224)	10/5/1998 8:38:00 AM
From: Edward J. Edwards, III	Respond to of 61433

ASCEND'S ADVANCED MULTIVPN SOLUTION LEADS VPN MARKET; FROST & SULLIVAN REPORT CONFIRMS MARKET LEADERSHIP FOR COMPANY'S COMPREHENSIVE MULTIVPN SOLUTION BUSINESS EDITORS ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O), the leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers and users of the public network, today announced leadership in the U.S. Virtual Private Network (VPN) router/switch market, according to a recent report by Frost & Sullivan. The report is testament to Ascend's commitment to providing best-in-class MultiVPN solutions for service provider and enterprise customers. According to Frost & Sullivan, Ascend held the largest share of the market with 28.0 percent in 1997, based on its installed base of the MAX(tm) WAN Access Switch and Pipeline router product lines, as it applies to Virtual Private Remote Networking (VPRN). Ascend's MultiVPN solution also incorporates Virtual Private Trunking (VPT) and Virtual IP Routing (VIPR), to provide the most comprehensive and cost-effective VPN solution in the marketplace. The VPN market grew at a rate of 119 percent in 1997 and is forecasted at a compound annual growth rate of 104.1 percent through 2004, according to the report. The study also shows that Ascend was the only company among the top four industry vendors in this rapidly growing market that increased its market share in 1997. Frost & Sullivan concluded that major competitors lost market share because they continued to supply router-based VPN options when the market demanded router/switch combinations. Ascend is the only primary vendor offering a router/switch combination solution. "Ascend's aggressive marketing to ISPs enabled them to gain market share in 1997," said Suresh Joseph, Frost & Sullivan analyst. "The company claimed the number one position and increased its market share by creating the industry's most comprehensive VPN solution." "This report reflects our dedication to providing innovative, value-added services and solutions to our leading-edge customers," said Kurt Bauer, vice president, Access Product Marketing. "Our MultiVPN solution leads the market for two reasons: it provides service providers with a clear path to profitable, value-added services, and it enables enterprise customers to cost-effectively optimize the Next-Generation Public Network. Extending our MultiVPN solution to encompass advanced ATM, Frame Relay, and IP services will sustain our market leadership going forward." Ascend's Advanced MultiVPN Solution As a component of Ascend's Access Solutions, MultiVPN cost-effectively and securely extends enterprise customers' network to the Next-Generation Public Network, while creating additional value-added, revenue-generating opportunities for service providers. Through advanced features, including the Customer Network Management (CNM) Gateway, Service Level Agreement (SLA) Reporting, and IP Navigator with VPN routing, Ascend's MultiVPN solution ensures high-availability and high-reliability VPN infrastructures. About Ascend Communications Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O) 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. 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.

To: Glenn D. Rudolph who wrote (55224)	10/5/1998 8:39:00 AM
From: Edward J. Edwards, III	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 61433

ASCEND UNVEILS VPN-CAPABLE ROUTERS -- A SECURE, HIGH-SPEED ACCESS SOLUTION FOR THE ENTERPRISE AS PART OF MULTIVPN OFFERING ALAMEDA, CALIF.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OCT. 5, 1998-- COMPANY INTEGRATES ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998-- Company Integrates Award-Winning Firewall and IPsec Encryption to Popular Pipeline Family; Enables Flexible Cost-Saving MultiVPN Solution Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O), the leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions for providers and users of the public network, today announced the integration of its ISCA-certified SecureConnect Firewall and IPSec encryption capabilities across the Pipeline family of remote access routers, at no additional cost. The first routers with the functionality to be complete, secure Internet solutions, the Pipeline family now delivers Virtual Private Remote Networking (VPRN) capabilities to help enterprise customers build secure, money-saving Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The availability of Pipelines with built-in VPRN capabilities signifies the delivery of a key component in Ascend's MultiVPN strategy announced earlier this year. "The Pipeline family, with its long and proven track record in Internet and remote access leadership, has extended its core strengths to create secure, cost-effective VPN-capable routers," said Roger Boyce, vice president and general manager of Ascend's Enterprise Access Division. "With integrated IPSec and firewall in the Pipeline, it becomes a building block for enterprise VPNs and empowers businesses to more fully utilize the new public network. We are delivering on our MultiVPN promise by breaking down the barriers to enterprise-wide VPN deployment with innovative, cost effective solutions." Ascend's MultiVPN enables the utilization of the public network infrastructure for private enterprise communications with management capabilities, assured levels of service and availability, and compatibility and security through a provider/subscriber architecture. Ascend MultiVPN is uniquely architectured around three pillars: VPRN, Virtual Private Trunking (VPT) and Virtual IP Routing (VIPR). With the MultiVPN strategy and architecture, Ascend has defined the most comprehensive and effective approach to deliver VPNs in the marketplace. Building on Access Leadership to Deliver VPN Solutions According to industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, Ascend has established itself as the leading supplier of VPNs with a 28 percent market share in the router/switch hardware category. This recognized leadership coupled with the global acceptance of the Pipeline family - more than 800,000 Pipelines are at work in public and private networks all over the globe - proves Pipelines are the premier choice to enable enterprises and end users to connect securely, quickly and easily to the Internet or corporate resources. Now, these same organizations can utilize the Pipeline to build a cost effective and scalable VPN that supports Internet, intranet and extranet applications. "Our customers are demanding a complete solution to security when deploying VPNs," said Bob Heintz, president of The Helfrich Company, an Ascend VPN integrator. "The Ascend SecureConnect product combines standards-based IPSec VPN encryption and a strong firewall in a single product. This product integrated with the popular Pipeline family makes a very compelling, comprehensive solution for organizations worldwide that are looking to tap into the power of VPNs." Security Additions Solidify Pipeline Family as Premier Networking Platform Within the last three months, Ascend has witnessed increasing demand for its award-winning ICSA-certified dynamic firewall. In addition to adding this popular capability to the Pipeline 50-220 family of routers, Ascend has integrated 40-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES) IPSec encryption capabilities, all at no additional charge. These additional features help enterprises protect corporate assets stored electronically and conduct confidential communications over the Internet. The firewall and encryption enhancements also solidify the Pipeline family as a secure, cost-efficient networking platform. By integrating the award-winning SecureConnect technology into the industry-leading Pipeline family, Ascend has simplified VPN implementation for enterprises of all sizes, including large global organizations, and mid-sized and small businesses. Ascend's Support for "Private Doorbell" Initiative The Security Technology industry has lobbied for quite some time with the US Government to ease restrictions on the exportation of strong encryption technology. Earlier this year Ascend joined a group of companies in supporting an approach called "Private Doorbell" that would meet the needs of government and law enforcement officials, as well as the Security Technology industry. In part due to these efforts, the White House recently announced significant steps that will now allow companies to export strong encryption technology, such as the 56-bit DES/triple DES that is part of today's announcement. Pricing and Availability The Pipeline family of routers carries a list price of $895 through $2,995 and is available in the United States immediately through distribution partners and VARs. International availability of Pipelines with the integrated SecureConnect and IPSec capabilities will be available on November 1, 1998. Upgrade and Distribution Information The added security of 56-bit DES/triple DES will be available as a software upgrade option through Ascend's distribution channel beginning November 1, 1998. For customers who purchased any Pipeline after May 1997, firewall and 40-bit encryption upgrades will be available this November, at no charge, via Ascend's Web. About Ascend Communications Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND.O) 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. 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.