CTC Communications & Cisco Systems Partner to Deliver First-of-its-Kind Seminar Series on "Convergence & e-Commerce".

Business/Technology Editors

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2000

Free "Dot com & Beyond" Seminars, Tailored for Small and

Medium-Sized Companies, to Begin March 21st and Reach 21 Cities

CTC Communications (NNM:CPTL)--a rapidly expanding provider of state-of-the-art integrated communications solutions for medium-to-large enterprises in the Northeast United States - and Cisco Systems (NNM: CSCO), the worldwide leader in data networking, today announced the creation of a joint seminar series to explore new technologies that facilitate and expand convergence and e-commerce.

Entitled "Dot com and Beyond," these free, half-day seminars are targeted at companies that spend in excess of $25,000 annually on communications and are seeking to streamline operations, reduce capital expenditures, and decrease operational costs through the deployment of broadband-enabled communications. The new seminars will reveal the power, efficiencies and savings achieved when businesses converge all of their communications - including voice, data, Internet and video.

"In today's highly competitive climate, forward-looking companies must position themselves for future growth by establishing a comprehensive strategy for managing their escalating communications needs," commented Robert Fabbricatore, CTC's Chairman and CEO. "That's quite a challenge for today's busy executive and precisely why we have partnered with Cisco - the undisputed leader in data networking - to co-host these sessions."

Added, Kevin Outcalt Sr. Director for Service Provider Marketing at Cisco, "To maintain a competitive edge in virtually every industry, it is essential to be ready for the Internet-enabled present - and future. What many executives at small and mid-sized companies are demanding is real-world, practical advice to position their business for the next generation of web-based applications and solutions -- with minimal-to-no capital expenditures. It is for that reason that we anticipate that the new seminar series with our partner, CTC Communications, will be truly eye-opening and energizing experience for many corporate leaders."

The "Dot com and Beyond" seminars will begin March 21st. For information and registration specifics, visit: www.cisco.com/go/semreg/ctcseminar or call 1-800-829NETS (6387). Following is a complete Schedule of the seminars.

            "Dot com and Beyond" Seminar Dates & Locations

Taunton, MA           March 21st     Syracuse, NY        April 11th
Providence, RI        March 22nd     Buffalo, NY         April 12th
Waltham, MA           March 23rd     Cromwell, CT        April 13th
Waltham, MA           March 24th     New Haven, CT       April 18th
Worcester, MA         March 27th     Garden City, NJ     April 19th
Boston, MA            March 28th     New York, NY        April 20th
South Portland, ME    March 29th     Morristown, NJ      April 25h
Bedford, NH           March 30th     Tarrytown, NY       April 26th
South Burlington, VT  April 4th      Philadelphia, PA    April 27th
Springfield, MA       April 5th      Pikesville, MD      May 2nd
Albany, NY            April 6th      Bethesda, MD        May 3rd

About CTC Communications

CTC is a rapidly growing, full-service Integrated Communications Provider (ICP) delivering converged voice, data, Internet and video solutions to medium and larger business customers in the most robust telecommunications region in the world--the Washington D.C. to Boston corridor. Recently designated by Bloomberg Personal Finance Magazine as one of the top "one hundred fastest growing U.S. technology companies," CTC was serving more than 12,000 customers with 269,000+ access lines as of December 31, 1999. Central to the Company's performance and future growth is its Cisco-powered IP+ATM Integrated Communications Network (ICN) named IntelliNET(SM), which is deployed across 8 contiguous northeast states.

CTC markets its full portfolio of services through its 375 member sales and service representatives located in 28 branch offices throughout the New England States, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Company, through its dedicated commitment to exceptional customer service, has achieved an industry-leading market share in the northeast and an industry-leading line retention rate in excess of 99 percent. CTC can be found on the worldwide web at www.ctcnet.com

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco's networking solutions connect people, computing devices and computer networks, allowing people to access or transfer information without regard to differences in time, place or type of computer system. Cisco products include routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers and network management software. These products, integrated by the Cisco IOS software, link geographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBM networks. Cisco Systems news and product/service information are available on the World Wide Web site at http://www.cisco.com.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements including the expansion of branch offices and its IntelliNET and future growth initiatives. Readers are, accordingly, cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties is set forth in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-Q. CTC undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect results, events or circumstances after the date hereof.