Basis Communications Launches European Operations.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1999--

Basis Communications, provider of "Service-Specific(TM) Network Platforms for the Internet," today announced the establishment of Basis Communications Europe Ltd. (BCE).

Headquartered in Shannon Free Zone, Ireland, BCE's charter is to develop, sell and service products for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

"The EMEA market is of great significance to Basis Communications. The launch of BCE represents our strong commitment to these markets and our premier networking and communications systems customers which include Alcatel, IBM, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Siemens, Sony and Thompson," said Basis Communications president/CEO, Mike Shealy.

"The selection of Shannon, Ireland, as the headquarters for European operations enables us to better support our installed base of premier networking equipment manufacturers throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa with our portfolio of Service Specific WAN Controller, and Interconnect Device products. We look forward to building upon these relationships as we bring our new Service-Specific products to market."

Basis Communications selected Shannon as its European headquarters due to the high availability of professional high tech resources, access to the Shannon International Airport, proximity to the University in Limerick, and the opportunity for collaboration with other high tech companies in the area. The Irish Development Authority and Shannon Development Authority were instrumental in Basis' decision.

BCE will be staffed with sales/marketing professionals, system engineering support professionals and software and ASIC development engineers. The company has appointed Mr. Frank Casey to manage operations from the new BCE headquarters.

As Director of Sales Development, EMEA, Casey will be responsible for broadening the company's focus on client support and market development in Europe. He brings to Basis 15 years experience in business development and corporate strategic sales, with his career history including sales, marketing management and engineering positions at Raidtec Corporation Ltd., ALPS Electronic Ireland Ltd, Tech-Source Ltd., and Data General Ltd.

Basis Communications' existing Wide Area Networking (WAN) and Interconnect devices have a strong market presence in Europe. The company sells indirectly utilizing area representatives in the following EMEA territories: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Formed in January 1999, Basis Communications is a networking communications semiconductor company providing Service Specific solutions for Internet-centric applications. Basis Communications' product lines include Service Specific Network Processor* Platforms, Service Specific WAN Controllers and Interconnect devices.

BCE will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Basis Communications Corporation. Additional information about the company is available at www.basiscomm.com.

Note to Editors: Service Specific and Service Specific Network Processor are trademarks of Basis Communications Corporation. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.