Ascend Takes Steps to Standardize High-Speed ISDN Access.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1995--Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASND) today announced that it will license its MP+ (Multilink Protocol Plus) ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) channel management specification on a no-fee basis to other manufacturers of remote access equipment. MP+ adds transparent bandwidth-on-demand capabilities to MP (Multichannel Protocol), the Internet standard inverse multiplexing or channel bonding protocol, specified in RFC 1717.

Ascend's action has received Internet community support from leading Internet service providers, carriers, equipment manufacturers and end users. Numerous industry leaders, including AT&T, PSInet, Tandem, UUNET and Xircom, have endorsed Ascend's action.

With MP+, non-Ascend remote access equipment users can take advantage of sophisticated bandwidth-on-demand features previously available only to users of Ascend equipment. Included in all Ascend equipment since 1993, MP+ is now offered by over 200 separate Internet service providers at some 1,500 POPs (Points-of-Presence) worldwide, collectively handling over 1.5 million calls per day.

"Standard MP by itself doesn't provide the dial-up bandwidth control needed by Internet service providers and corporate communications managers," said Bernie Schneider, vice president of marketing for Ascend. "Ascend's MP+ adds that control through a low-overhead communications channel that allows end points to exchange telephone numbers and inform each other of current bandwidth requirements and channel availability. With MP+, all bandwidth management is transparent to the end user. The full bandwidth potential of an ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line can be realized without user intervention."

"Ascend's move creates one of those rare no-lose scenarios in the industry," said industry analyst Daniel Briere, president of TeleChoice, Verona, NJ. "The MP+ availability clearly is a win/win/win situation for the providers, vendors, and most importantly, the end users," he said. "End users can get automatic bandwidth on demand; vendors get a key call establishment, management and authentication mechanism that is compatible with the predominant infrastructure for accessing the Internet; and Internet service providers and carriers get a means towards better utilization of their existing networks. And it's free."

For more information on MP+, interested parties can write to: OEM Licensing Manager, Ascend Communications, 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502.

Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufacturers, sells and supports a broad range of high-speed digital wide area network access products. These products use bandwidth on demand to enhance existing corporate networks for applications such as remote LAN access, Internet access, telecommuting, small office/home office, and multimedia/videoconferencing.

Ascend is headquartered at 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif., 94502. Phone: [phone] or 510/769-6001; Fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]. Ascend's home page locations is http://www.ascend.com.

CONTACT: Ascend Communications

Jerri Emm, 510/769-6001 or [e-mail]

or

Gallagher PR

Kevin Gallagher, 510/743-7830 or [e-mail]