Coast to Coast Selects Siemens and Accelerated Networks for $50 Million Integrated Network Buildout.

MOORPARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1999--

Michigan's First Competitive Provider to Offer Complete Package of

Voice and Data Services, Including VoDSL, Over

Integrated DSL and T1 Access Network

Coast to Coast Telecommunications, a fast-growing integrated communications provider based in Michigan, has selected integrated broadband access solutions from Siemens Information and Communication Networks and Accelerated Networks for delivery of complete voice and data services, including voice over DSL (VoDSL) over its expanding fiber-based network.

Coast to Coast expects to have more than 50 collocations online within the next 12 months, outfitted with Siemens' TransXpress(TM) ALine hybrid ATM/SONET multiplexers and Fastlink next generation digital loop carriers (NGDLCs), and Accelerated Networks' AN-3200 DSL and T1 concentrators.

In addition, Accelerated's VoDSL, DSL and T1 integrated access devices (IADs) will be deployed at customer locations. The implementation of this access network will put Coast to Coast in a leadership position as the only competitive telephone company in Michigan to offer such a broad range of integrated services.

Coast to Coast's subscribers will receive a spectrum of services available for bundling over a single DSL or T1 access facility, including local and long distance voice over DSL (VoDSL), Internet services, high-speed corporate access, conference calling, virtual private networking, and more.

All of these services will be delivered over one access facility, and on one easy-to-read bill. Coast to Coast's customers will still be able to order traditional plain old telephone service (POTS), which will be tied into the network at the carrier's collocation sites using industry standard network interfaces such as GR-303.

Coast to Coast Network Architecture

The highly integrated access network is designed with Accelerated's customer-located IADs that collect subscribers' voice and data traffic, then combine it for delivery over the best-available access facility: DSL or T1.

At Coast to Coast's collocation sites, AN-3200 concentrators aggregate a large number of physical DSL or T1 subscriber lines into a smaller number of high-speed ATM virtual circuits. The AN-3200 concentrators also collect POTS voice traffic from Fastlink NGDLCs using GR-303 signaling.

The virtual circuits are then delivered to a TransXpress ALine remote node for transmission onto Coast to Coast's own fiber infrastructure. At the regional POP, ALine master nodes remove the traffic from the fiber ring and deliver it to Accelerated's AN-3200 voice services gateways, where the traffic is segregated into the appropriate upstream network: ATM, frame relay, Internet, or public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Voice traffic is terminated using Accelerated's certified GR-303 signaling into Siemens' EWSD Class 5 switches.

Siemens and Accelerated have worked together to construct an end-to-end solution that supports Coast to Coast's commitment to deliver an unprecedented range of voice and data services over its rapidly growing, high-capacity fiber infrastructure.

Curtis Price, program director for Stratecast Partners, commented: "Facilities-based competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) are looking for network solutions that enable them to cost effectively compete against incumbent carriers while leveraging their installed facilities.

"The combined Siemens and Accelerated Networks solution addresses the objectives of facilities-based CLECs by providing an end-to-end approach to delivering integrated services in the local loop."

The deployment scheduled by Coast to Coast calls for Siemens' TransXpress(TM) ALine multi-service fiber optic transport solutions, Fastlink next generation access solutions, and Accelerated's AN-3200 concentrators and voice gateways in central office collocations and POPs.

Accelerated's entire range of IADs, including AN-20, AN-24, AN-28, and AN-30s, will be deployed at customer premises. The IADs deployed will be tailored to the size and service requirements of each subscriber.

Bruce Yuille, president of Coast to Coast, said: "Siemens and Accelerated Networks have given us the key to bringing true competition to Michigan. Connecting our subscribers to our high-capacity network, using DS-0, DSL, T1, or any speed that makes sense for their private or business applications will be a winning value proposition for them."

He continued, "We are laying fiber that will give us enormous bandwidth and separate us from the `me too' DSL resellers. Providing customers all the voice and high-speed data services they want, quickly, from a single source on a single bill, will be a great advantage for us, and falls in line with our motto: `It couldn't be simpler.'"

"We are very pleased to be working so closely with Siemens and Coast to Coast on this integrated broadband access deployment," said Suresh Nihalani, president and chief executive officer of Accelerated Networks.

"Our partnership with Siemens gives the customer an unbeatable solution that will scale well into the future, and supports the multi-service delivery that is so important to all three companies."

Eve Aretakis, president of the Carrier Division at Siemens Information and Communication Networks, added: "Coast to Coast has its sights set on leveraging the latest integrated network technology to better serve its customers. Accelerated's Siemens-certified voice services gateway is a perfect match for our EWSD Class 5 switches, TransXpress ALine and Fastlink solutions."

About Coast to Coast Telecommunications

Coast to Coast Telecommunications is Michigan's fastest-growing full-service telephone company. Started in 1992, Coast to Coast owns and operates telecommunications systems throughout Michigan with significant capabilities to provide telephone and Internet service across the street or across the country.

Coast to Coast operates a local Internet network in southeast Michigan and is quickly becoming the region's choice for local, long distance, and Internet service. Visit Coast to Coast at www.coast.net.

About Accelerated Networks

Accelerated Networks is the leading supplier of voice-over-DSL (VoDSL) and integrated broadband access solutions. These systems enable providers to offer a full complement of bundled voice and data services over a single DSL or T1 access line, with advanced provisioning and management features.

Based on open industry standards, Accelerated is the only company to offer all three components of a complete access solution customer premises integrated access devices (IADs), NEBS-compliant central office DSL and T1 concentrators, and voice services gateways for regional POPs.

Since its introduction, the company has garnered many prestigious industry awards. The company received funding from New Enterprise Associates, US Venture Partners, ONSET Ventures, Walden International Investment Group, and Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.acceleratednetworks.com.

About Siemens Information and Communication Networks

Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc. provides integrated voice, data and video communications networks to carrier and enterprise customers. Last year the company's 7,000 U.S. employees generated sales of nearly $2 billion. Its parent firm is Siemens, the pioneering electronics giant with more than 440,000 employees worldwide and global sales of more than $75 billion.

For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.icn.siemens.com.