)(NNC.)(NN) Newbridge Networks Introduces Industry's Highest Density MultiDSL and ADSL Cards: Newbridge expands its family of DSL line cards with 48-port MultiDSL, 32-port IDSL and 24-port ADSL cards.

Business Editors

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

Newbridge Networks (TSE:NNC.) (NYSE:NN) today announced its family of next generation, high density digital subscriber line (DSL) cards for the Newbridge(r) 350 Integrated Versatile Services Node (IVSN). The first member of the family is the 24-port ADSL line card -- the first in the industry -- available now. Over the coming months, Newbridge will also introduce a 32-port IDSL card and a 48-port MultiDSL card -- both of which offer industry-leading port density and flexibility.

"With the introduction of these cards, we can significantly increase flexibility for service providers in delivering multiple services with a solution that is both cost-effective and well managed," said Kevin Rankin, vice president of broadband copper at Newbridge Networks. "In addition, the superior traffic management and signaling capabilities of our DSLAM platform allow our customers to bundle and deliver multiple value-added services."

The Newbridge expanded family of DSL line cards enables the Company to continue meeting the cost- and quality-sensitive requirements of carriers offering managed business services. The entire family of DSL line cards runs on the Newbridge 350 IVSN access platform.

The Newbridge 46020 Network Manager oversees the equipment in the DSL network and, by using the Newbridge 940 Service Subscription Manager (SSM), carriers get faster service deployment and service activation. The SSM's primary role is to reduce the complexity of service activation and service assurance for subscriber-based broadband data services.

The Newbridge DSL strategy meets the stringent and aggressive plans of its customer base. "Through the deployment of these advanced DSL technologies, we can extend our network reach with high speed access to customers who may not yet be directly served by our expansive, local fiber optic-based network," said Mark Senda, President of Local Services at AT&T Canada. "We have been very impressed with the end-to-end capabilities of the Newbridge 350 IVSN as an excellent solution for our business customers."

About the Interface Cards

Already available to select customers, the 24-port ADSL card delivers a next generation solution of scalable, managed services on the new 350 IVSN access platform. This solution delivers the industry's highest-density managed multiservice ADSL service to customers addressing both business and residential end users with minimum deployment complexity. The card delivers up to 864 ports per seven-foot rack and more than 2,200 ports per DSLAM. It is fully ITU992.1 (full rate ADSL), 992.2 (G.LITE) and T1.413 compliant.

The 32-port IDSL card increases coverage to the significant percentage of loops that are too long for SDSL or ADSL. The card also allows service providers to offer high speed Internet access to customers served through digital loop carrier transmission systems. The IDSL lines interoperate with T.601/TR397 compatible transmission systems, and each port can be set to run at 64, 128 or 144 kb/s and accepts frame relay or PPP traffic from a wide range of third party IDSL customer premises equipment.

Unique in the industry, the 48-port MultiDSL card supports 48 symmetric DSL line interfaces. Through soft provisioning it supports 2B1Q SDSL, HDSL-2, and G.SHDSL services. The MultiDSL line card significantly increases the service provider's flexibility in delivering multiple services with a solution that is both cost-effective and well managed.

About Newbridge Networks

Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services wide area networking solutions for service providers in more than 100 countries. On February 23, 2000, Newbridge entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Alcatel, a world leader in end-to-end voice and data communications solutions systems. Alcatel's leadership in broadband access combined with the Newbridge leadership in ATM/MPLS /IP switched routing will make it one of the top players in the next generation networking market with complete, end-to-end communication solutions. Current Newbridge customers include the world's 350 largest telecommunications service providers. The Company employs more than 6,000 people on six continents. News and information are available at www.newbridge.com

Newbridge and logo are registered trademarks of Newbridge Networks Corporation.