AccNet of Colorado Selects Ascend for DSL Network Expansion; AccNet Deploys the Recently-Announced DSL MAX 20 for MDU and SO/HO Service Roll-Out.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 1999--

Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Network (IN) solutions for providers and users of the next-generation public network, today announced that AccNet of Colorado has chosen the new DSL MAX 20, a compact and cost-effective Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access concentrator, to expand its high-speed DSL Internet services to its Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) and Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) customers.

AccNet of Colorado, a sister company to network integrator Advanced Cabling & Communications, is an Internet service provider (ISP) offering cost-effective, high-speed Internet access and value-added services to small and medium-sized businesses.

The deployment of the DSL MAX 20 enables AccNet to provide its customers with secure high-speed Internet access over existing copper wire, at a lower cost.

"The Ascend DSL MAX 20 allows us to offer our customers secure and scalable Internet connectivity, in addition to our network design and integration solutions," said Jim Hinsdale, president and CTO of AccNet. "By deploying Ascend's DSL MAX 20, AccNet can offer Internet connectivity to a larger service area and can bring the advantage of high-speed broadband services to more customers."

AccNet will begin immediate deployment of the Ascend DSL MAX 20 access concentrator and is expecting a significant growth in its business as a result. The DSL MAX 20 allows a service provider to cost-effectively expand its service region. This compact DSL access concentrator gives AccNet the ability to roll out DSL to areas with a lower concentration of potential customers.

"We are pleased that AccNet has selected Ascend's DSL access concentrator to increase the size of its service area, thereby increasing its revenue," said Kurt Bauer, vice president of product marketing, Access Switching Division, Ascend Communications. "By expanding its service offerings based on the DSL MAX 20, AccNet's customers will benefit from advanced services based on a full-featured yet manageable solution that supplies all the advantages of market-leading technology with simple deployment and provisioning features."

High-Speed, Secure Internet Access

The Ascend DSL MAX 20 supports Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) and provides high-speed secured access over existing telephone wire within buildings or local loops, and is ideally suited for MDUs, small central offices, hotels and campus/enterprise applications.

The product allows service providers such as AccNet, to offer tiered services based on speed and application requirements of the users. The DSL MAX 20 uses multi-rate capabilities providing speeds ranging from 144kbps to 2.3Mbps.

For service and network management, the DSL MAX 20 utilizes simple network management protocol (SNMP) based on the Ascend NavisAccess network management system to offer service providers an end-to-end solution. This allows AccNet to remotely manage and monitor the Ascend DSL MAX 20 and decrease the cost of implementing and managing an MDU service roll-out.

About AccNet

AccNet of Colorado, LLC is a Denver-based Internet service provider. The company was founded in December 1996 to provide cost-effective, high-speed Internet access and value-added services to Colorado businesses. AccNet's members/owners have extensive experience in providing telecommunications, networking, installation, and other technical business support services. For more information about AccNet and its services, visit their Web site at www.accnetco.net.

About Ascend Communications

Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND) develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.

For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to [e-mail]. For Investor Relations, please call Ascend's communications hotline at 800/648-3059 or 760/704-4423 (outside the U.S. & Canada). Additional investor information can also be accessed on Ascend's Web site at: http://www.ascend.com/investor/. Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510/814-2300.

In January 1999, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Lucent Technologies Inc. ("Lucent"), pursuant to which, each outstanding share of Ascend common stock will be exchanged for 0.825 shares of Lucent common stock and each outstanding option or warrant to purchase Ascend common stock will be converted into an option or warrant to purchase Lucent common stock (adjusted for the exchange ratio).

In February 1999, Lucent announced a two-for-one stock split, payable on April 1, 1999, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 1999. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the exchange ratio will be adjusted for the effect of this stock split and any similar changes in the capitalization of Lucent.

The foregoing statements may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in international sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.