Atmosphere Networks Names Two Industry Veterans to Key Management Posts; Company Building a Globally Focused Customer Service Capability for its On-Ramps to the Optical Internet.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999--

Atmosphere Networks Inc., the leader in next-generation optical access, announced today two newest members of its executive team, Dave Stevens, serving as vice president of Systems Engineering and Product Management, and Robert (Bob) Kennedy, director of Customer Support.

These appointments are a result of successful sales expansion, most recently through a partnering agreement with Advance Fibre Communications (NASDAQ: AFCI) that gives Atmosphere Networks wider domestic and international distribution. Atmosphere's flagship FSN 1200 data-aware SONET/SDH multiplexer creates a fully integrated optical access solution for carriers worldwide. It radically improves carrier networks' economics, saving up to 75% in overall network costs. Unlike traditional SONET or SDH equipment, the FSN 1200 can deliver agile interfaces that transport everything from TDM private line to ATM, Ethernet and IP. This capability allows carriers to instantly create or scale highly differentiated services remotely from their network operations center (NOC) to meet rapidly changing subscriber needs.

Dave Stevens Named Vice President of Systems Engineering and

Product Management

Stevens brings 15 years of local- and wide-area communications experience to Atmosphere, including expertise in systems engineering, product and program development, and executive management. Before joining Atmosphere, Stevens was a key member of Nortel Networks and Bay Networks top technology teams, mapping customer, industry, and technology trends for product development, marketing, and sales strategies.

"Our goal is to go make Atmosphere the premiere global provider of services enabling on-ramps to the emerging optical Internet," said Stevens. "We're delivering world-class optical access products that give our carrier customers sustainable competitive advantages in the competitive local service delivery space."

"Now that we're moving into the volume deployment stage of the company, I'm focused on expanding our systems engineering and product management capabilities to let our customers take full advantage of the value proposition enabled by our product solutions," Stevens added.

Stevens' education includes a BSEE and MSEE from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He is an active public speaker on the latest marketing and sales strategies within the industry. Stevens also has multiple patents in network management.

Robert (Bob) Kennedy Named Director of Customer Support

Kennedy, a senior customer support executive with major corporations that include 3Com, Sun Microsystems, and Digital Equipment Corporation, is a proven leader in service, and support operations. With significant domestic and international experience, Kennedy knows the challenges of maturing and growing smaller organizations to worldwide capability.

"Right now (Atmosphere) wants to enable a quality service that provides value and increases customer confidence," said Kennedy. "As a startup, we need to stay very focused on meeting customer expectations. This opportunity is one where we can build a globally focused company that's highly differentiated, and I hope to help the company achieve that target."

As senior director of 3Com's Global Response Centers and senior director of American Field Operations, Kennedy increased productivity by 70 percent, standardized global operations, and led more than 450 engineers, managers, and staff. At Sun Microsystems' SunService Division, Kennedy increased annualized revenues to $50 million, promoting annual growth exceeding 100 percent annually. Kennedy's education includes a BSBA in accounting, in addition to a double MBA in Finance and International Business.

About Atmosphere Networks Inc.

Founded in 1997, Atmosphere Networks is the leader in delivering packet-aware optical access infrastructure (SONET/SDH/WDM) solutions that enable carriers to achieve unparalleled capabilities for creating differentiated services tailored to customer/market needs. Atmosphere Networks' products simplify the carriers' overall network, producing a return on investment superior to all conventional and competing solutions. Atmosphere Networks is now located at 1355 Dell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008. The company can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail], by phone at 408-874-1000 or by fax at 408-874-1099. Visit Atmosphere's web site at www.atmospherenet.com.

Atmosphere Networks is a trademark of Atmosphere Networks, Inc. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.