Bell Atlantic Awards Milestone Certification to 2nd Century's Network Which Utilizes PathMinder Softswitch from TeraBridge.

Business/Technology Editors

ARLINGTON, Va., and GURNEE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2000

2nd Century Softswitch Architecture Named SS7 ISUP Compatible

2nd Century Communications, an open network application service provider, and TeraBridge Technologies, developer of the PathMinder(TM) call and connection control softswitch for broadband networks, today announced that 2nd Century received Signaling System 7 (SS7) ISDN User Part (ISUP) certification from Bell Atlantic. This certification enables 2nd Century to deliver its package of fully integrated communications services to small- and medium-sized businesses in several cities in Bell Atlantic's territory and continue the momentum for its nationwide rollout.

At the core of 2nd Century's packet network is a Broadband Central Office(TM) application suite running on the PathMinder softswitch. The softswitch is interworking with the Siemens/Newbridge MainStreetXpress(TM) 36170 multiservice switching platform. PathMinder's call control and signaling management capabilities merge traditional narrowband call control signaling with evolving voice and data connection protocols (such as SS7, Q.2931, and ISDN) to deliver and manage integrated communications over a single, next generation broadband network. PathMinder provides these converged signaling services while also delivering traditional telephony features and services, which enables the softswitch to replace the Class 5 switch found in first-generation, circuit-based networks. PathMinder provides signaling interworking between an SS7 network and a packet-based network to set up calls and send necessary provisioning and connection commands to various, narrowband network elements.

SS7 ISUP certification involves testing SS7 messages to ensure proper call handling between carriers. Specifically, the tests focused on basic bearer services including call set up, routing and tear down messages. These services are fundamental to a carrier's ability to deliver facilities-based voice services. To obtain the certification, 2nd Century passed extensive tests in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C. The company will continue testing as it expands its network to other cities including New York City. In the past few months, 2nd Century was certified for SS7 MTP levels one, two and three--verifying its network compatibility for physical, link and network signaling requirements. The SS7 ISUP certification verifies compatibility of the upper layer of the protocol stack used for call control.

"This milestone accomplishment is key to our strategy of interconnecting with carriers throughout the country," said Ken Stadler, 2nd Century's director of platform development. "The teams from Bell Atlantic and TeraBridge went the extra mile to work with us on this testing. Their cooperation and technical expertise contributed to our successful certification."

Customers in the Bell Atlantic areas where 2nd Century is certified will now benefit from 2nd Century's comprehensive communications solution of integrated voice applications, high-speed Internet access, software applications and remote desktop management capabilities. This solution provides the essential tools for businesses to compete in today's internetworked economy and relieves them of the burden of managing and maintaining their voice and data infrastructures.

"This certification shows that 2nd Century's next generation network implementation can seamlessly interoperate with traditional networks such as Bell Atlantic," said Sanida Divanovic, TeraBridge's director of product requirements / product marketing.

In August 1999, 2nd Century became the first carrier to complete a call between a packet-based network and the legacy SS7 network. This industry milestone paved the road for 2nd Century to launch the nation's first packet network in November 1999. The company is also noted for being the first service provider to support local number portability (LNP) and 911 interconnection over a packet-based network.

About 2nd Century Communications

Headquartered in Arlington, Va., 2nd Century is a privately-held, emerging communications company representing the intersection of networking and applications by providing small and medium businesses a complete package of business tools including high-speed Internet, desktop management solutions, self-healing software, and voice applications. As an open network application service provider with a presence in 21 cities nationwide, the company's network combines the flexibility of an Internet architecture with the reliability of a traditional voice network. 2nd Century provides a complete end-to-end solution that begins with broadband access and reaches all the way to the desktop with applications and proactive management support. 2nd Century was recently awarded "Most Innovative CLEC," by Network Magazine, and named one of "10 Companies to Watch," by Network World. Visit us on the World Wide Web at www.2ndcentury.com.

About TeraBridge Technologies

Privately held and located just outside of Chicago in Gurnee, Illinois, TeraBridge Technologies Corp. develops the PathMinder(TM) softswitch solution suite to provide cost-effective intelligent networking solutions for the telecommunications carrier, switching and private line service markets. Through direct selling and OEM distribution agreements with Siemens ICN, PathMinder is positioned to redefine the economics of how communications are exchanged and to become the industry standard for call control services management. For more information, call TeraBridge at 1-847-782-2000 or visit our website at www.terabridge.com.

About PathMinder(TM)

PathMinder(TM) is an open system software suite that provides a graceful migration path from narrowband circuit switching to next generation, on-demand packet switching and broadband networks. The software accelerates voice and data service convergence over an integrated and flexible broadband network architecture while protecting service provider investment in legacy narrowband circuit switches--a solution marketed to become the industry standard for call control services management. PathMinder is compatible with multiple switches or access devices and provides interfaces to most industry standard protocols.

PathMinder and Broadband Central Office are trademarks of TeraBridge Technologies Corporation.