COGNICASE and Microcell Partner to Offer Advanced Wireless E-Services: Creation of a Global E-Commerce Joint Venture.

Business Editors

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2000

COGNICASE Inc. (NASDAQ:COGI) (TSE:COG.) and Microcell Labs Inc. jointly announced today that they have entered into an agreement in principle to form an Internet and Wireless provider of advanced E-Services.

"This strategic partnership is a clear recognition of the value and potential of the leading-edge technologies that COGNICASE can bring to this growing market", mentioned Ronald Brisebois, President and CEO, COGNICASE Inc. "This collaboration with Microcell, a leader in PCS and mobile communication, will enable us to deliver unique services to the fast growing number of individuals relying on wireless and Internet services for their business and personal transactions".

The new joint venture will incorporate Microcell Labs's leading technologies in the field of Unified messaging, Web Telephony integration and Residential Gateways, therefore expanding the breath and scope of E-Services.

"This is a tremendously exciting venture for Microcell", said Andre Tremblay, President and CEO, Microcell Telecommunications Inc. "This partnership will bring a world of new services to our Fido customers by using the wide range of possibilities stemming from the convergence of wireless and the Internet", he added.

The new company capitalises on COGNICASE's eMP-Apps and 'Watch 4 Me 7/24' technologies to provide 'Smart information on demand' to the Wireless and Internet community.

The potential reach for the services of the new venture represents a major opportunity as the overall world-wide number of wireless users is expected to grow to more than 1 billion by 2003 (Source: GSM Association).

NB Capitals Partners Inc., a merchant bank affiliated with National Bank of Canada, has agreed in principle, subject to certain approvals and due diligence, to invest CDN$15 million in the new company.

About Microcell

Microcell Labs Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microcell Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq: "MICT"; TSE:"MTI.B"). Microcell is a Canadian wireless communications company. Its PCS network, which is based on the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) standard, serves 53 % of the Canadian population. PCS services are available under the Fido(R) brand name in a number of centres including Quebec, Sherbrooke, Montreal, Ottawa-Hull, Oshawa, St-Catharines-Niagara, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Beyond its PCS footprint, Microcell provides analog roaming capability in an area representing 94 % of the Canadian population. As a member of the international GSM Association and the North American GSM Alliance, Microcell also offers roaming capabilities in over 60 countries and in more than 3,200 U.S. cities. Microcell Telecommunications has been a public company since October 15, 1997, and is a member of the TSE 300, TSE 200 and S&P/TSE Canadian Mid Cap indices. Microcell's head office is located in Montreal. The Company employs over 2,000 people across Canada.

About COGNICASE

COGNICASE is among the North American leaders in the implementation of business solutions that leverage information technology, with offices in several major North American and European business centers. Based on its business results-driven approach, Internet Software Technologies, international IT engineering / hosting center and critical mass of business and technology expertise, COGNICASE offers innovative solutions that contribute to the success of its customers in the digital economy.

Its solutions include: implementation of turnkey E-Business solutions including portal development and evolution, E-Services software and solutions, re-engineering of existing applications for E-Business, technology configuration management, as well as project management and business process improvement consulting services.

COGNICASE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES (CIT), a business unit of COGNICASE Inc., delivers "smart information on demand" by developing leading edge Internet and wireless software solutions. It capitalises on COGNICASE'S Internet products, re-engineering technologies and search engine based on rules and fuzzy logic, and using JAVA and XML.

COGNICASE INTERNET INNOVATIONS (CII), a business unit of COGNICASE Inc., positions COGNICASE at the top of the Internet value chain through the innovation and creation of new e-businesses. CII will seek out, create, incubate and promote Internet Portal initiatives. The end result will be a network of interwoven Internet Portals targeting both vertical markets and diverse communities and allow COGNICASE to take full advantage of the Internet economy.

The completion of the transaction described in this press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Act and is subject to certain factors including satisfactory due diligence by all parties, the negotiation and completion of definitive agreements and the obtaining of certain third party consents.