@Link Networks Selects Accelerated Networks' Multiservice Broadband Access Equipment to Deliver High-Speed Communications Services.

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BOULDER, Colo., & MOORPARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2000

Bundled Voice and Data Services Targeted for 41 Midwest Markets

Integrated communications provider @Link Networks Inc. and multiservice broadband access equipment supplier Accelerated Networks (Nasdaq:ACCL) today announced that @Link has selected Accelerated to commence its multiservice network buildout in 41 markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Accelerated will supply multiservice broadband access equipment to deliver high-speed integrated communications services across the middle third of the United States, which is the area @Link targeted for deployment of its next-generation, private broadband network in the year 2000.

@Link provides small- to medium-sized businesses with secure, high-speed private networks and other connectivity, and application solutions via access technologies such as digital subscriber line (DSL). The successful completion of trials of Accelerated's equipment marks @Link's readiness to commence scale deployments for the addition of voice and other incremental high-speed data services.

Accelerated Networks' family of integrated access devices (IADs) will be placed at customer locations to combine the customer's voice and data traffic over a single DSL or T1 access facility. DSL traffic will be concentrated by Nortel (NYSE:NT) integrated multiservice access systems (IMASes) at @Link's collocation sites.

For multi-tenant unit (MTU) applications such as high-rise buildings, Accelerated's IADs will be placed at each customer office, floor or suite, and then, using DSL between floors, voice and data traffic will be concentrated by an Accelerated Multiservice Access Platform (MSAP) concentrator located in a basement or other central wiring closet.

In both standard and MTU applications, voice traffic will be delivered to the public voice network through Accelerated's MSAP voice services gateways, which reside in @Link's regional points of presence (POPs).

"@Link strives to set itself apart from the crowd by giving small- to medium-sized businesses secure VPN services," said Tim O'Neill, @Link's chief network officer. "The addition of Accelerated's equipment in our network allows us to add multiple incremental voice and high-speed data services over a single access line, with expansion into targeted service delivery for multi-tenant units."

Charlie Vogt, vice president of worldwide sales for Accelerated Networks, said: "@Link's focus on unique applications such as multi-tenant units, or MTUs, takes advantage of the flexibility of our end-to-end solution.

"As @Link continues to aggressively build out their integrated voice and data network with partners Nortel and Accelerated Networks, their customers benefit with high-speed data connectivity complemented by toll-quality voice services."

@Link's deployment plan includes servicing markets in 14 states by the end of 2000. @Link recently launched services in Indianapolis; Chicago; Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.; Detroit; Cleveland; and Austin, Texas, and has targeted Grand Rapids, Mich., as the site of the next network deployment.

Upcoming states in which @Link will deploy its next-generation hardware and software include Minnesota, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma.

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 lines (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 ironclad service-level agreements and performance guarantees.

@Link will serve markets in nearly 20 states by the end of 2000. For more information, visit www.atlinknetworks.com.

About Accelerated Networks

Accelerated Networks develops and markets multiservice broadband access products that enable telecommunications service providers to bundle voice and data services over a single broadband access network. These products are designed to allow service providers to efficiently and cost-effectively deliver and manage multiple voice and data services using DSL, T1, NxT1 or DS3 technologies.

Accelerated's products also allow service providers to leverage emerging technologies such as voice over DSL (VoDSL) and frame relay over DSL (FRoDSL) over a single broadband access network.

Accelerated Networks offers all three components of a complete multiservice broadband access solution: NEBS-compliant regional POP voice gateways and central office concentrators, and customer premises carrier-class integrated access devices (IADs). For additional information, visit www.acceleratednetworks.com.