CBIS enters cable billing market.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 1995--Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE:CSN) said today that its Cincinnati Bell Information Systems (CBIS(R)) subsidiary has agreed to acquire Information Systems Development Partnership (ISD), a provider of billing and customer management systems to the cable television industry.

"This acquisition is a giant step toward our goal of making Cincinnati Bell Information Systems a comprehensive source of billing and customer care solutions for leading communications companies," Cincinnati Bell President and Chief Executive Officer John T. LaMacchia said. "These leading companies will be managing customer relationships across a wide range of communications services. We intend to offer flexible, integrated solutions to meet their needs."

CBIS is the Cincinnati Bell company that provides and manages customer care and billing solutions for telecommunications companies. It is the world's leading provider of such solutions to cellular and other wireless communications companies. ISD is a privately held partnership of Cox Communications, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and ISD's senior management. ISD serves nearly 7,000,000 homes and is the third largest cable billing firm in the United States.

The parties have signed a definitive purchase agreement and expect to complete the transaction near the end of this year. The value and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"We are delighted to welcome ISD to CBIS. ISD is a progressive, growing company that knows the cable business and has a team of talented professionals with proven ability to respond quickly to rapidly changing client needs. This will help to strengthen CBIS as we leverage our unparalleled experience in developing end-to-end solutions for clients moving toward multiple service offerings," said James F. Orr, CBIS President and CEO. "This strategic acquisition not only broadens our global communications industry experience, but is evidence of CBIS's corporate commitment to remain the leader in the customer care and billing marketplace with a solid client focus. ISD's current clients can be assured of uninterrupted, high-quality service from CBIS."

ISD's systems support some of the nation's largest cable systems, including systems operated by Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, and Western Communications. It also supports many regional cable providers throughout North America and in Europe.

"We're pleased to have this new relationship with CBIS," said Jimmy W. Hayes, Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Cox Communications. "ISD has developed one of the most highly sought-after cable billing packages in the industry, and CBIS will add depth and capability to make CableMaster an even more attractive product. In addition, CBIS's long experience as a leader in cellular billing offers us a critically important component of our future telephony business."

"Combining CBIS's expertise in telephony with ISD's expertise in cable well-positions CBIS to serve the needs of the converged marketplace," said David H. Richardson, Vice President of Comcast Cable.

Peyton Lake, President of ISD, said, "The people of ISD are excited about becoming part of the global leader in customer care and billing. By joining the resources, talents, and expertise of these two industry leaders, we provide our clients with even more dynamic, flexible, and cost-efficient solutions that offer demonstrable competitive advantages."

CBIS -- which developed a strong business in telecommunications utilizing mainframe technology -- recently completed development and began beta trialing a next-generation, UNIX-based, client/server customer care and billing system known as Precedent 2000(R).

ISD delivered its first system to the cable industry in 1982. ISD's newest system, CableMaster(TM) 2000, has advanced relational database technology that allows cable company employees in different locations to see and retrieve the same up-to-date customer information.

CBIS will market the CableMaster 2000 solution worldwide, and is committed to providing ISD's existing client base with uninterrupted quality and service.

CBIS is the global leader in the provision and management of customer care and billing solutions for the communications industry. More than 117,000,000 wireless bills and more than 31,000,000 wireline bills are produced by CBIS software and in CBIS's advanced data centers each year. CBIS uses its extensive billing systems expertise and service bureau experience to create advantages for leading companies in wireless, wireline, and emerging communications services.

Cincinnati Bell Inc. is a worldwide supplier of telecommunications, information management, and marketing services to the communications industry, with annual revenues of $1.3 billion.

NOTE: CBIS and Precedent 2000 are registered service marks and CableMaster is a trademark of Cincinnati Bell Information Systems Inc.

CONTACT: Cincinnati Bell Information Systems

John Pratt, 800/327-3900 or 500/447-CBIS

E-mail: john.pratt(at sign)cbis.com