3Com Provides Complete Multi-site Solution for Networked Telephony.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Native Multi-site IP Networking Capabilities and Support for Next

Generation Applications Ensure Enhanced User Experience

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2001

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced networked telephony software and services to give businesses simpler, more cost-effective methods of connecting new applications and multiple locations. The fourth generation of software and services for the market-leading SuperStack(R) 3 NBX(R) Networked Telephony Solution and the 3Com(R) NBX 100 Communications System includes enhanced call processing and multi-site IP networking for enterprise customers worldwide. In addition, 3Com is providing more application programming interface (API) services for application developers to take advantage of new opportunities in the growing IP PBX market.

"3Com continues to innovate by creating reliable and sophisticated networked telephony systems that are simpler to use and maintain than any other system on the market," said Ed Wadbrook, director, voice solutions, 3Com Business Networks Company. "We've made it easy for organizations of any size to connect customers, staff, locations and applications using one infrastructure. Our customers have demanded better solutions for basic requirements such as reaching the service department of their business, located across the street. At the same time, enterprise customers seek the value of leaving a single voice mail message for managers at locations worldwide. Traditionally, customers of all sizes have found these types of solutions daunting to implement and maintain. Today, 3Com is providing an easy-to-use solution that meets these specific customer needs."

Multi-site Networking Extends Solution to Enterprise Branch Locations

As more businesses strive for greater utilization of their wide area network (WAN) investments, 3Com is meeting that growing demand by adding IP-based tie line capabilities to the NBX platform. Today, 3Com is announcing the addition of the NBX IP Virtual Tie Lines application. This application operates natively on the NBX call processor, supporting a uniform dial plan and least cost routing services. Users only need to dial an extension number to reach a co-worker or to transfer a call to another location anywhere in the world. The application creates an enterprise-wide voice communications system that runs over a customer's IP backbone, replacing traditional tie lines or T1 circuits between two or more locations. The NBX IP Virtual Tie Lines application enables businesses to easily migrate voice traffic to the data WAN backbone.

Historically, the cost and complexity of traditional products have limited the deployment of solutions that connect the telephone systems of multiple sites. Now, 3Com is offering a cost-effective solution that enables enterprises of all sizes to connect to multiple sites, ensuring that employees and customers have a seamless experience as they communicate to staff or departments in different locations. As a result, 3Com is providing better value for school districts with multiple buildings as well as multi-national corporations. In addition, 3Com gives customers the flexibility to configure the virtual tie lines based on needs and requirements.

NBX IP Virtual Tie Lines is an extremely dynamic application for networked telephony. It enables an intra-company toll bypass solution that works across all 3Com NBX sites. The system can be configured to allow users to gain local dial tone access on any worldwide NBX system, bypassing costly long-distances charges. As such, businesses worldwide can create seamless, multi-site telephony solutions, while reducing the costs of domestic and international calls via routing over the IP network.

Voice Profile for Internet Mail (VPIM) Support for Multi-Site Voicemail Exchange

3Com's NBX platform now supports the VPIM standard, giving businesses the ability to support multi-site voicemail exchange between NBX phone systems as well as any other VPIM-enabled messaging systems. The NBX VPIM Multisite Messaging Exchange application allows employees across the globe to send or receive voice mail messages from any enterprise location without the need for proprietary networking hardware or software. Users can compose and broadcast a message across the globe to 3Com NBX and VPIM-compatible voice mail systems. Likewise, recipients can receive and manage messages from a single mailbox. Additionally, this solution enables the simultaneous distribution of voice mail messages to departments or groups of users that operate across multiple locations.

Improved Call Processing Services Meet Communication Needs of Customers

With the latest software enhancements, 3Com is continuing to expand the range of call processing features to meet the varied communications needs of its business customers. New call coverage options include bridged station appearances and enhancements to "do not disturb" and ring/no answer features. Managers have more call coverage options for call monitoring by administrative staff. Additionally, 3Com has enhanced the NBX system's voice mail platform to provide every user with the option to be notified via e-mail of new voice mail messages. In addition to traditional off-site notification methods, voice mail is accessible from any standard E-mail client. Users can access voice mail from anywhere in the world, from any e-mail device, including Internet mail accounts and handheld devices.

Basic Phone Offers A Cost-Effective Alternative

In addition to software enhancements, 3Com will offer a new addition to its IP telephone family with the introduction of the NBX 2101 Basic Phone. This IP telephone has 10/100 Ethernet connectivity and offers users a lower cost alternative for locations that don't require the full-feature functionality of a NBX business telephone. Ideal for classrooms or common areas in a business location, the basic phone will provide access to multiple calls, as well as common features such as hold and redial. In addition, the smaller size and simple layout of the phone make it ideal for call center agents.

More API Connectivity Provides Support for Third-Party Applications

To enhance the functionality of its networked telephony solutions, 3Com is offering more API connectivity services. 3Com is extending access to give third-party vendors the added capabilities and tools necessary to establish interoperability between their software applications and the NBX platform. The resulting solutions will bring new opportunities for value-added resellers and business customers, as more productivity-enhancing applications become interoperable with 3Com's networked telephony solutions. 3Com has established the 3Com Solution Providers Program to support third-party application vendors (see related release, 9/11/01).

Pricing and Availability

Available worldwide during the fourth quarter calendar year 2001, the base-level system software enhancements for the SuperStack 3 NBX Networked Telephony Solution and the NBX 100 Communications System are free to existing customers. NBX Virtual Tie Lines begin at $3,000 USD and the VPIM Multisite Messaging Exchange is priced at $8,000 per system. The NBX 2102 Phone will be available during the first quarter calendar year 2002 and will cost $285 USD.

Other 3Com Networked Telephony Solutions are available worldwide through 3Com Voice Authorized Partners. For more information, call 800/NET-3COM.

About 3Com Corporation

3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use connectivity products and solutions for people and businesses. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

Note to Editors: 3Com, SuperStack and NBX are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.