CenturyTel Using Redback Networks SMS to Bring E-commerce and Broadband Access to Rural Communities.Business Editors and High Tech Writers SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2000 Local telephone provider poised to enter 100 new communities in 14 states in year 2000 Signaling a major change in the deployment of broadband Internet access Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is high speed Internet access—typically contrasted with dial-up access over modem. Dial-up modems are generally only capable of a maximum bitrate of 56 kbit/s (kilobits per second) and require the full use of a to rural markets, Redback Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : RBAK RBAK Redback Networks Inc. (stock abbreviation, AMEX) rBAK Remote Backup ) today announced that CenturyTel (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : CTL See control key. 1. CTL - Checkout Test language. 2. CTL - Compiler Target Language. 3. CTL - Computational Tree Logic ) will use the Redback Subscriber Management System(tm) (SMS (1) (Storage Management System) Software used to routinely back up and archive files. See HSM. (2) (Systems Management Server) Systems management software from Microsoft that runs on Windows NT Server. ) for its aggressive digital subscriber line See DSL. (communications, protocol) Digital Subscriber Line - (DSL, or Digital Subscriber Loop, xDSL - see below) A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and (DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary ) and e-commerce rollout. Targeted at small businesses and consumers in areas where high-speed Internet access has been virtually non-existent, CenturyTel plans to offer services in more than 100 new communities in 14 states by the end of the year 2000. "Our goal is to help businesses and consumers in small communities compete. Access to broadband services creates new opportunities for all of our customers - whether it is our e-commerce initiatives bundled with DSL, or other broadband services like video streaming," said Bob Mirabito, vice president of emerging services from CenturyTel. "Redback's SMS was a logical choice to anchor our service because it provides seamless integration with our national backbone and the fastest time to market for our new services. Service deployment with our initial installation occurred in days, rather than weeks or months." In addition to their DSL footprint, small- and medium-sized businesses now have new options when planning their e-commerce strategies. CenturyTel recently announced its branded e-commerce offering, Shopworks(tm). Available as a bundle with DSL service, Shopworks provides small-and medium-sized businesses the ability to create new streams of revenue and quickly roll out e-commerce offerings. "CenturyTel takes its commitment to rural and suburban communities very seriously," said Larry Blair, vice president of marketing at Redback Networks. "It was essential that the technology partner they chose for their broadband services initiative enabled them to provide the same level of performance and services available in the largest metropolitan markets. Redback was a natural fit." About CenturyTel CenturyTel, Inc. provides integrated communications services including local exchange, wireless, long distance, Internet access and security monitoring services to more than two million customers in 20 states. The company, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. under the symbol CTL. CenturyTel is the 7th largest local exchange telephone company, based on access lines, and the 9th largest cellular company, based on population equivalents owned, in the United States. Visit CenturyTel's corporate website at www.centurytel.com About Redback Networks, Inc. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Redback Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of advanced networking solutions that enable carriers, cable operators, and service providers to rapidly deploy broadband access and services. The company's market-leading Subscriber Management Systems(tm) (SMSs) connect and manage large numbers of subscribers using any of the major broadband access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and wireless. To deliver integrated transport solutions for metropolitan optical networks, Redback's SmartEdge(tm) multi-service platforms leverage powerful advances in application-specific integrated circuit (hardware) Application-Specific Integrated Circuit - (ASIC) An integrated circuit designed to perform a particular function by defining the interconnection of a set of basic circuit building blocks drawn from a library provided by the circuit manufacturer. (ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. ), IP, and optical technology. With this product portfolio, Redback Networks is the first equipment supplier focused exclusively on developing integrated solutions for the New Access Network. Redback, Subscriber Management System and SmartEdge are trademarks of Redback Networks, Inc. Shopworks(tm) is a trademark of CenturyTel. Other trademarks, service marks, and trade names belong to their respective owners. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Redback Networks' and CenturyTel's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding product offerings, future sales to customers, and the migration of customers to broadband services. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to Redback Networks as of the date hereof, and neither Redback Networks or CenturyTel assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These and other risks relating to Redback Networks' business are set forth in the documents filed by Redback Networks and CenturyTel with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent report on Form 10-K, and the other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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