1-Net and Alcatel Team Up for IP-over-ATM Trials; MOU Signed to Conduct Field Trials of Industry-Leading IP@ATM Solution on World's First Nation-wide Commercial ATM Network.

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1998--Singapore ONE infrastructure provider and operator, 1-Net Singapore, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alcatel, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies, to conduct field trials of Alcatel's IP@ATM(TM) solution.

IP@ATM is one of the industry's first operational standards-based IP-over-ATM (Internet Protocol-over-Asynchronous Transfer Mode) solutions. It is an advanced switching feature on the carrier-class Alcatel 1100 HSS(R) Multiservice Switch.

With nearly 80 percent of traffic over the 1-Net network being IP-based, the protocol of the Internet, this technology will make 1-Net a leader in ATM services. Wire-speed IP packet forwarding via IP@ATM will provide 20 times greater network scalability, unprecedented support for Quality of Service levels and high speed flexible service provisioning across 1-Net's ATM network.

"We are excited about the prospect of passing the benefits of IP@ATM to our customers, such as providing a host of new data services including virtual private networks," said Mock Pak Lum, CEO of 1-Net Singapore.

At the same time, the field test provides an opportunity for Alcatel's technology to be implemented on the first nation-wide commercial ATM network. "Alcatel is proud to join 1-Net in enabling the information revolution in Singapore," said Alain Plenier, director for Alcatel's Enterprise and Data Networks Division. "Part of the reason IP@ATM is such a significant development for our industry is that the solution is available across the industry's most scaleable switching portfolio. Because of this, the benefits of IP@ATM can be delivered in projects as ambitious as those 1-Net Singapore is undertaking."

The memorandum of understanding was signed today by Mock and Plenier. IP@ATM is an implementation of "TAG" switching, a solution which leverages the installed-base of 80 percent of the world's routers, and will seamlessly migrate to the Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) standard once it is ratified. IP@ATM on the industry-leading Alcatel HSS switches multiple traffic types onto an ATM core to take advantage of the inherent multiple Classes of Service and Quality of Service built into the ATM layer. By doing so, IP@ATM combines the best features of routing and switching for connection-oriented networks over ATM.

About 1-Net

1-Net Singapore is at the heart of Singapore ONE. The company operates a network of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches to connect service providers, content providers, access network operators and large companies and organizations. This network carries multimedia information between companies and service providers, between content providers and end users, and between end users.

1-Net Singapore Pte Ltd is owned by a consortium comprising Singapore Communication Investments (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Singapore Cable Vision Ltd, Pacific Internet Pte Ltd, and Cyberway Pte Ltd.

About Alcatel

Alcatel designs, manufactures and markets complete telecommunications systems. Activities include fixed switching networks, transmission systems, access systems, mobile communications infrastructure, business networking, submarine cable networks, as well as radio communications, space, and defense systems. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel is a leading-edge supplier in the majority of its businesses. In 1997, the Telecom segment of Alcatel Alsthom registered total sales of $14.2 billion (FF 82.9 billion).

Alcatel's Enterprise and Data Networks Division (EDD) is a leading provider of voice and data communications solutions for public and private networks throughout the world. EDD is the number one supplier of voice communications solutions in Europe with the Alcatel 4400. EDD has built more than 400 major wide area data networks, including 65 national carriers. The cornerstone switch in EDD's Avanza(R) data networking portfolio is the Alcatel 1100 HSS Multiservice Switch.

A white paper which fully describes the features and benefits of Alcatel's IP@ATM solution is available at www.adn.alcatel.com. Company news and product information are available at http://www.adn.alcatel.com. -0-

Note to Editors: IP@ATM is a trademark of Alcatel Data Networks, Inc. HSS and Avanza are registered trademarks of Alcatel Data Networks, Inc.

CONTACT: Asher Communications Pte Ltd for 1-NET

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Katie Sheldon Hammler, 703/724-2249

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