@Link Networks Launches Next-Generation Broadband Services in Grand Rapids and Lansing Area.

Business Editors

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 7, 2000

Integrated communications provider deploys in second Michigan market

@Link Networks, Inc. a broadband integrated communications provider, today launched its services in the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas. @Link will supply businesses in Grand Rapids, Lansing and the surrounding markets - including Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Charlotte - with secure, high-speed private networks and other connectivity and application solutions for businesses via access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). The launch is part of an aggressive deployment schedule for the middle third of the country this year, en route to an ultimate nationwide presence.

"We plan to blanket the Michigan business community with our business-class telecommunications and data communications services. By nature of our `next-generation' private network, @Link customers can link themselves, their branch offices, remote workers, even customers and suppliers with a local-area or wide-area network solution over which they can run mission-critical applications, ranging from billing and invoicing software to sales training via digital video," said Paul Osland, @Link Networks' midwest region president.

"Our solutions are faster than frame relay networks, which are typical in many businesses today; and they are more cost-effective and scalable than dedicated-line networks such as T1," Osland continued. "We're rewriting the rules of broadband for Michigan businesses."

@Link's `next-generation' network enables @Link to provide advanced "Class of Service" capabilities, which means @Link can customize network performance for a customer based on factors such as the applications the customer runs over its network, when it runs those applications and how many workers use them at any given time. It also means @Link can guarantee the performance of a customer's broadband solution over the entirety of @Link's network.

"Beyond the technology, the leaders at @Link founded the company on a critical guiding principle - to raise the bar for client and customer service in the telecommunications and data communications industries," said Osland. "Through systems and processes ranging from recruiting and hiring practices to performance reviews to the role that customer integration plays on the company's executive team, we are committed to accomplishing just that."

Through the employment of a locally based sales team, @Link will directly market its private network solutions to business customers in the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas. @Link is also actively pursuing partnership opportunities with local Internet Service Providers (ISP) and other sales and distribution channels to deliver high-speed access products to Grand Rapids-area businesses.

This is the seventh regional launch in @Link's deployment plan that includes servicing markets in 15 states across the middle third of the United States by the end of 2000. Other states in which @Link will deploy its technology in the near future include Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. @Link recently launched services in Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Austin and has targeted the Dallas/Fort Worth area as the site of the next network deployment to begin, in mid-August. This is @Link's second deployment to the Michigan market, following the July 10 launch that made @Link's services available to Detroit and its neighboring communities.

About @Link Networks

@Link Networks, formerly Dakota Services, was founded in 1997 and specializes in broadband data and communications solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses. @Link is a leading provider of secure, high-speed private network solutions and other data and communications services including video and, soon, voice, via access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). @Link is building a next-generation packet-switched network utilizing an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone and advanced switching capabilities that enables the company to offer its business customers extensive Quality of Service and Class of Service capabilities, including highly customized broadband solutions and iron-clad service level agreements and performance guarantees. @Link serves customers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin and will serve markets in 10 more states by the end of 2000.