Ascom Timeplex Unit signs contract for expansion of Beijing Digital Data Network.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 1995--Ascom Timeplex recently signed a contract with the Beijing Telecom Administration (BTA) for a $2.5 million expansion of its Digital Data Network (DDN), the first digital network in Beijing, capital city of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The new agreement represents the second phase of an effort to meet expanded demands for leased data line services during the past two years. The first phase of the Beijing DDN was completed in 1993, with a $1 million investment in LINK/2+ nodes by the BTA. LINK/2+ Systems form powerful digital networks characterized by bandwidth efficiency, integrated communications and resident network management capabilities. The project reflects a strong demand for data leased-line services from multi-national companies, financial institutions and Governmental departments serving the city's 10 million people.

The new DDN provides greatly enhanced data transmission quality over the original analog system. Due to the success of the first phase of the DDN and ever increasing demand for local leased-line services, the BTA is expanding its existing LINK network with additional LINK/2+ equipment. The upgraded network network will offer three times the number of connections available on the existing DDN.

Major users of these leased-line services and Ascom Timeplex equipment presently include the People's Construction Bank of China, largest bank in the PRC; the Industrial & Commercial Banking Corporation, also based in Shanghai; and the Bank of China Corporation, equivalent to the US Federal Reserve Bank. As the economy in China becomes more market-driven, there is an increasing demand from private companies, outside the Government and financial sectors, to make use of these new leased-line services.

"A key factor in Ascom Timeplex's selection for the government contracts is the company's extremely reliable and field-proven network solutions which meet the highest expectations of both the PTA authorities and their local customers," said Colin Chan, Vice President and General Manager, Ascom Timeplex Pacific Asia Division.

"I am extremely pleased with this latest expansion of our existing Beijing DDN network. The installation of five other DDNs in China by Ascom Timeplex clearly demonstrates the increasingly strong reputation that our products and services have in the People's Republic of China today," said Phoebus Wong, Director, Ascom Timeplex, PRC, speaking after the recent signing of the contract.

Ascom Timeplex has been a supplier of DDNs to China since it built the original IntelSat Business Services (IBS) network in 1991. IBS provides the satellite-based digital leased-line services from Beijing and Shanghai, to the US, Japan and Hong Kong. The IBS network was upgraded in 1993, doubling its original capacity.

The first high-speed local DDN in China was supplied by Ascom Timeplex to the Shanghai Postal and Telecommunications Administration (PTA) in 1992. Since then, five additional regional PTA DDNs have been won, installed and subsequently upgraded by the company.

In addition to the company's success in China, Ascom Timeplex's networking business is experiencing rapid growth throughout Asia based on its superior network consultancy, local support services and rapid delivery and installation of equipment.

Ascom Timeplex is a recognized leader in networking systems and services, offering scaleable enterprise internetworking solutions that unify LAN and WAN technologies. Headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, the company offers global sales and service support for all its products in approximately 70 countries on seven continents. Ascom Timeplex is an operating division of Ascom Enterprise Networks, a core business unit of Ascom Holding AG, Bern, Switzerland, an international telecommunications company with shares traded on the Zurich Stock Exchange.

CONTACT: Pat J. Rohme, 201/573-6467

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