Cascade switches spearhead TeleWest's cable Internet infrastructure; UK's largest cable operator selects Cascade multiservice switches for Frame Relay network to provide cable Internet services.

WESTFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 1996--TeleWest, the leading UK cable carrier, has chosen Cascade Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CSCC) for a Frame Relay network that will deliver Internet access services to customers across the UK.

The state-of-the-art Frame Relay network is based on Cascade B-STDX 8000 multiservice switches and the CascadeView network management system. TeleWest selected Cascade for the B-STDX's industry-leading price per port, impressive scalability and leading performance characteristics that have already seen it deployed at some of the leading Internet Service Providers.

TeleWest has founded a new consortium, called Cable Internet, that will provide dial-up, leased line and ISDN Internet services aimed at businesses, residences and the education sector. Several major operators, including NYNEX CableComms, General Cable and Comcast, are expected to join the consortium. In a multi-million dollar contract, Cable Internet has deployed 10 Cascade switches in the first phase of the network deployment.

Cascade's multiservice switches provide Cable Internet with a flexible switching platform that will provide multiple interactive services over one backbone infrastructure. Sophisticated management features and the connection- oriented nature of Frame Relay allow the definition of Quality of Service (QoS) for selected customers, a key requirement for the growing numbers of businesses using the Internet. The current 10-node network is the foundation for deploying telephony-based IP services (dial-up, ISDN and leased line Internet and intranet) throughout the UK. Having chosen Cascade for its start-up network, Cable Internet predicts that this number will as much as treble. Ultra high speed access will be provided in 1997 via broadband cable modem, ushering in Cascade's ATM capability as data transmission speeds reach up to 10 million bits per second, 300 times faster than possible using traditional technology, and providing for effective audio and video applications.

Cascade's European managing director, Simon Cordell, said, "This agreement is testimony to the recognition in the carrier market that a high-speed switching fabric is crucial in providing services to a booming Internet market. Furthermore, it shows that the demand for Internet services in the UK is growing rapidly and service providers are turning to next-generation Internet infrastructures that provide guaranteed Quality of Service to meet that need. The use of Frame Relay enables Cable Internet to virtually connect any two points on the network, reducing the number of router hops and hence improving network traffic performance," added Cordell.

Ross Fitzgerald, vice president of multimedia at TeleWest, said, "Broadband cable is the only UK network with the capacity and capability to deliver the full range of telecommunications, broadcasting, interactive and multimedia services to the home, office or public service organization. Cable Internet chose to deploy Cascade products to provide a flexible switching platform among stiff competition from industry heavyweights such as Newbridge Networks. The combination of quality, price, market share, product scalability and Cascade's commitment to the national Cable Internet project made our choice that much easier. We choose our partners carefully. Cascade is a top-class company that appears to be in business for the long haul."

Although currently wholly owned by TeleWest, Cable Internet is intended to serve as the cable industry platform that would allow all operators to provide national Internet access services. Cable Internet will source and manage a high speed national and international data network, provide national technical customer support, and develop new services for delivery over telephone and cable networks. -0-

About Cascade Communications Corp.

One of the world's fastest growing data communications companies and price/performance leader in Frame Relay, Cascade Communications (NASDAQ:CSCC) of Westford, Massachusetts, is a global provider of wide area networking products for the public carrier, Internet Service Provider and enterprise markets. Cascade delivers multiservice WAN switches and network management solutions that enable customers to seamlessly integrate existing technologies with ATM for cost-effective network expansion and investment protection. Cascade s B-STDX multiservice WAN switches and the Cascade 500 ATM switch offer the highest scalability and network capacity in the industry. Worldwide, private and public networks such as Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, GTE, Pacific Bell, US West, LDDS WorldCom, Telecom Finland and BT rely on Cascade products for unparalleled quality of service and high-performance WAN services. The heart of the Internet, Cascade switches are deployed by leading Internet Service Providers such as PSINet, UUNET, NETCOM, AGIS (Apex Global Information Services, Inc.) and CRL Network Services. It holds its UK subsidiary, Cascade Communications Limited, in Maidenhead. Cascade's World Wide Web address is http://www.casc.com.

About Cable Internet

Cable Internet Ltd (CI) is wholly owned by TeleWest Communications plc, the UK's largest cable operator. Major TeleWest shareholders include US WEST Inc, Tele-Communications Inc, Cox Communications Inc and SBC Communications Inc. TeleWest is the largest UK cable operator with 4.3 million equity homes. CI is currently seeking equity partners to share in the venture. Several operators have confirmed their interest in investing in CI: NYNEX, Comcast Europe, General Cable plc and Videotron. For more information on TeleWest or Cable Internet, please see http://www.cableinet.net or http://www.telewest.co.uk.

CONTACT: Lucia F. Graziano

Cascade Communications Corp.

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