BCE Nexxia Expands Reach in the United States Utilizing Universal Access' End to End Transport Solutions.

Business Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

Universal Access Establishes a Universal Transport Exchange in BCE 

Nexxia's New York City Network Facility

Today at the Telecom Business Conference and Expo in Santa Clara, Universal Access, Inc. (NASDAQ: UAXS), a business-to-business intermediary that facilitates an outsourced, integrated solution for communications network capacity, and BCE Nexxia, a leader in providing innovative communications solutions to large enterprise customers across Canada and the United States announced plans that will enable BCE Nexxia to extend network connectivity for its customers in the United States. Universal Access plans to locate a Universal Transport Exchange (UTX) in BCE Nexxia's New York City network facility, providing interconnection of multiple carrier networks.

"As part of Canada's largest telecommunications company, BCE Nexxia operates a state-of-the-art, coast-to-coast IP broadband network in Canada, with multiple points of presence in the United States," said Derek Rickaby, Assistant Vice President, US & International Wholesale Markets, BCE Nexxia. "Universal Access allows us to reach beyond our current network, managing connectivity to the customer's premises in the United States."

As a neutral business-to-business intermediary, Universal Access offers carrier independence for BCE Nexxia, the opportunity to obtain network capacity from multiple transport suppliers and a seamless solution for network transport connectivity. The combination of the Universal Access UTXs and the Universal Information Exchange (UIX), which contains information regarding network capacity, availability, pricing and location, enables the provisioning of circuits from multiple vendors and assists in giving BCE Nexxia a competitive advantage.

"This latest opportunity with BCE Nexxia is an effective method for them to use our single outsourced solution of information management and facilities management to enable an end to end solution to their customer base," said Bill Coyne, Executive Vice President, Client Services, Universal Access.

About Universal Access

Headquartered in Chicago, Universal Access is a web-enabled, business-to-business intermediary that facilitates the provisioning, installation and servicing of dedicated, point-to-point communications links for service providers who buy network capacity, and transport suppliers who sell network capacity. Universal Access aggregates network information, operates facilities where communications networks can be physically interconnected, provides ongoing dedicated circuit access and offers client support services. The services provide clients with an outsourced, integrated solution to the challenges they face within a fragmented network services market. For additional information regarding the company please visit www.universalaccess.net.

About BCE Nexxia

As a member of Bell Canada, Bell Nexxia is a leader in providing innovative communications solutions to large enterprise customers across Canada and the United States. Leveraging a state-of-the-art IP/Broadband network, the strength and expertise of the BCE (NYSE/TSE: BCE) group of companies and strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSE: NT) and Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Bell Nexxia provides its customers with cost-effective next-generation services they need to compete in the global marketplace. Bell Nexxia's Internet Web site is located at www.bellnexxia.com.