Broadview Networks Opens Leading-edge Network Operations Center in Philadelphia Area.

HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2000

Integrated Network Management Systems, Combined With

Proprietary Enterprise Software And Provisioning Processes,

Produce Unique Advantage for Company and Customers

Broadview Networks, a network-based electronically integrated communications provider (e-ICP), today announced that it has opened a leading-edge Network Operations Center in Horsham, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia, enhancing network performance and customer service.

"The world-class capabilities of our Network Operations Center, combined with our proprietary enterprise management software and high-volume service provisioning processes, augment our company's unique competitive advantage," said Eric G. Roden, chief operating officer of Broadview Networks.

Roden added: "We have integrated an impressive array of sophisticated systems and tools to test, provision, manage and monitor our entire converged data and voice network in real time from one central location. What's more, we have boosted the power of our network technology suite by fusing it with our proprietary OPENnet enterprise management systems, which support customer service, billing and other core operations. Using these integrated systems along with our unique service provisioning processes enables us to achieve peak network performance. Results for our company and our customers include exceptional operating efficiencies, network reliability, and responsiveness to customer needs."

"Our Network Operations Center, or NOC, puts our company in the technology vanguard," said Kenneth A. Shulman, chief technology officer of Broadview Networks. "First, instead of taking the typical multi-center approach, we have selected, co-located and integrated a suite of cutting-edge systems and tools to manage and monitor the gamut of network elements, technologies and traffic types. Second, we have electronically linked these systems with our proprietary OPENnet systems to attain a degree of integration unmatched in our industry."

Shulman continued: "This convergence spans the range of network and customer service operations - from our first contact with a customer to ordering, provisioning, care, billing, repair and performance assurance, across all our service bundles. The resulting capabilities give our company a critical advantage in meeting the industry-wide challenges of massively scaling operations, leveraging technological change, outpacing the competition, and continuing to roll out better, faster, more affordable services."

The Broadview Networks NOC incorporates network management and monitoring. Its network management functions include designing traffic flows, controlling inventory, adding network components, and pretesting copper telephone lines for high-speed Internet service via digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. In addition, the center serves as the eyes and ears of the network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff proactively identifies, isolates and resolves network troubles without dispatching technicians - often before customer service is affected.

Leading the 35-member NOC staff is John Carr, vice president - network services, of Flourtown, Pa. An 18-year industry veteran, Carr has played a prominent role in designing and deploying the network that the center oversees. The network includes switching systems currently operating in New York City, Boston, and Syracuse, N.Y., as well as a fourth switch being prepared for activation in Horsham.

Following are examples of how Broadview Networks is using integrated, advanced technology in its NOC, along with its OPENnet systems and automated service provisioning processes, to benefit customers and improve the company's bottom line.

Broadview Networks is increasing customer satisfaction while decreasing operating costs by blending the prowess of Netrac(TM) and NeTkT(TM) systems, provided by TTI Telecom International Ltd. (Nasdaq: TTIL; www.tti-telecom.com), with OPENnet-based customer care systems. Keys to success include correlating data across systems, and coordinating NOC and customer care efforts to quickly, accurately and efficiently track and resolve troubles.

Netrac, a consolidated network surveillance and control system, provides a single window into all network elements - from traditional circuit switches to fast packet switches, Internet Protocol (IP) routers and Internet access devices. NOC technicians use this system to detect, diagnose and analyze hardware and software failures in real time. Netrac is electronically linked with NeTkT, an automated, flow-through trouble-ticketing system that is interconnected with Broadview Networks' OPENnet systems and the incumbent local exchange carrier's trouble-ticketing system. NeTkt supports the combined actions of the NOC and customer care staffs to manage, follow and fix problems reported via the NOC (in Netrac) as well as customers (in OPENnet). Enhanced efficiency, reduced manual order processing and greater responsiveness all add up to faster repairs.

While Netrac and NeTkt help Broadview Networks manage maintenance and repair, Syndesis (www.syndesis.com) offers a "zero-touch" system for provisioning DSL services and similar capabilities for Voice over DSL service. The Syndesis NetProvision(TM) software suite, integrated with Broadview Networks OPENnet systems, cuts DSL service activation times, facilitating faster, less expensive and highly reliable service fulfillment. Using NetProvision with OPENnet, Broadview Networks also is setting the stage for real-time, online customer self-service.

To further streamline DSL service deployment, Broadview Networks is using the Line Test System Solution from Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS; www.dsltesting.harris.com). This integrated suite of tools provides broad-ranging capabilities to accurately pinpoint the cause and location of failures in copper loops and pre-qualify these ordinary telephone lines for DSL suitability. As a result, Broadview Networks can avoid unnecessary truck rolls, speed service delivery, and improve response times.

Other leading-edge products contributing to superior network performance include two systems from Acterna Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTR; www.acterna.com). NetAnalyst(TM), an automated circuit-testing system, supports prompt provisioning and trouble resolution for various network services. Meanwhile, NetOptimize Capacity Manager(TM) helps Broadview Networks administer all major traffic-engineering functions, such as equipment servicing, trunk forecasting, load balancing and service-level exceptions.

Two network management systems from Granite Systems, Inc. (www.granite.com) assist Broadview Networks in maximizing network efficiency and reliability. Xpercom(TM), a network and service resource management system, provides a running inventory of equipment and bandwidth capacity, while Xperworx(TM) automates network design, provisioning, installation and reconfiguration.

Broadview Networks (www.broadviewnet.com) is a network-based electronically integrated communications provider (e-ICP) serving small and medium-sized businesses and communications-intensive residential customers in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The New York City-based company offers integrated communications solutions, including local, long-distance and international voice services; data services; and dial-up and high-speed Internet services using digital subscriber line (DSL) and other advanced technologies. Customers receive a single, easy-to-understand bill and have one point of contact for real-time, personal customer care.

Broadview Networks and the Broadview Networks logo are trademarks of Broadview Networks, Inc. OPENnet is a service mark of Open Support Systems, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. Broadview Networks, Inc.(c)2000. Other product names indicated are trademarks of their respective companies.