@Link Networks Selects Telcordia and SAIC to Provide Next-generation Network Solutions; Telcordia and SAIC to Provide Next-Generation OSS Infrastructure for @Link.

Business Editors & Hi-Tech Writers

MORRISTOWN, N.J. & LOUISVILLE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2000

Communications software and solutions provider Telcordia Technologies, Inc. and its parent company, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced that integrated communications provider, @Link Networks, Inc. has chosen Telcordia and SAIC to support its Virtual Private Network (VPN) services.

The agreement includes supplying @Link with the Telcordia(TM) Exchange Link interconnection service, Telcordia(TM) Network Configuration Manager, and data center consulting and integration from SAIC.

@Link provides data, voice and video communication services to enterprise customers over its private, next-generation network. The company is following an aggressive deployment schedule to achieve a deep regional presence. "We have selected Telcordia and SAIC for their leading-edge technology and integration expertise to help us focus on delivering comprehensive broadband solutions to our customers," said William White, Chief Information Officer, @Link Networks. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Telcordia and SAIC as we expand our regional offerings to the national market."

"@Link recognizes the need for cost-effective and proven operations and network solutions to achieve a sharp competitive edge in a crowded market," said Duane Elmquist, Senior Vice President, Telcordia Technologies. "Together with our parent company, SAIC, we are able to provide @Link with the tools to help build and deliver world-class next-generation broadband services."

Telcordia and SAIC will provide @Link with the following solutions and services:

Telcordia Network Configuration Manager

The Telcordia Network Configuration Manager supports the design, assignment and activation of Next Generation networks, services and technologies. Designed to achieve the most efficient and cost-effective provisioning process, Network Configuration Manager will help @Link improve flow-through integration with operations support systems (OSS), manage network assets and provide the platform for broadband deployment.

Telcordia Exchange Link

The Telcordia Exchange Link service provides e-business capabilities that are required to manage the growing number of business transactions with @Link's wholesale trading partners. Exchange Link, with interfaces to @Link's nine major incumbent carriers, automatically validates order information and transmits it in the correct protocol to the appropriate carrier, dramatically simplifying commerce for telecom service providers. Telcordia Exchange Link service enables communications providers such as @Link to send all pre-order inquiries and orders over a common interface, where messages are managed and transmitted quickly and with the highest flow-through rates in the industry. Jointly developed and managed by Telcordia and GE Global eXchange Services, Telcordia Exchange Link is at the forefront of the Telcordia interconnection suite of field-proven systems.

SAIC Consulting, Network Architecture Design & System Support

SAIC is assisting @Link by providing consulting, systems design, and network architecture support to upgrade its data center. @Link, with its data center in Richardson TX, is working with SAIC to improve its network engineering, systems architecture and systems analysis capabilities. SAIC is also providing internal training to @Link employees.

Through this agreement, @Link will provide broadband services to Telcordia employees in @Link's coverage area that will help to meet their telecommuting needs.

About Telcordia Technologies

Telcordia Technologies, Inc., an SAIC company, is one of the world's largest providers of operations support systems, network software and consulting and engineering services to the telecommunications industry. A leader in the development of Next Generation Network technologies, Telcordia employs more than 7,000 professionals, and has revenues of more than $1.5 billion. Telcordia (www.telcordia.com) is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey with offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America and Asia Pacific.

About SAIC

SAIC is a Fortune 500 company and the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering firm. We provide information technology, systems integration and eBusiness products and services to commercial and government customers. SAIC engineers and scientists work to solve complex technical problems in telecommunications, national security, health care, transportation, energy, the environment and financial services. More information about SAIC and its subsidiaries can be found at www.saic.com.

About @Link Networks, Inc.

Founded in 1997, @Link Networks is a multi-service integrated communications provider, delivering diverse communications solutions to small and medium enterprises. These services include high-end, secure virtual private networks, high-speed Internet access, Web-hosting, enterprise voice and business-to-business e-commerce enabling services. @Link delivers these solutions by linking customer locations into it's next-generation, packet switched Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone through a combination of access technologies including copper, fiber and wireless. @Link's network is designed to enable the tuning of network parameters and traffic routing to meet specified levels of latency, throughput, security/privacy and reliability requirements. As a result, @Link is able to provide customers the option to choose from four unique Class of Services (CoS) packages, all of which are backed by Quality of Service (QoS) and performance level guarantees. @Link reaches its customers through a high-end, direct sales force combined with select wholesale and strategic distribution channels. @Link currently offers services in Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Texas, with plans to expand nationally throughout the US. Visit the website at www.atlink.net.