Combined Telecom Inc., CTI, Selects CommTech's FastFlow ASP OSS Offering; CommTech's First CLEC Customer for FastFlow ASP.

Business Editors

TeleStrategies OSS 2000

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2000

CommTech Corp., a provider of zero-touch, end-to-end flow-through provisioning and eBusiness solutions, today announced Combined Telecom Inc. (CTI), a rapidly-growing Canadian competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), has selected its FastFlow(R) ASP offering.

CTI uses CommTech's OSS applications, including DSL activation, through a CommTech-facilitated, remotely-hosted Web server, enabling CTI to rapidly, cost-effectively deliver a broad range of telecom services to its enterprise customers. CTI gains the same functional benefits as an installed OSS without needing to hire specialized IS/IT personnel to supervise day-to-day operations, and can focus on its core business.

Through its FastFlow(R) ASP offering, CommTech serves as an application service provider (ASP) that, with its partners, offers integrated, hosted software applications for voice, DSL, and cable service providers. FastFlow(R) ASP facilitates rapid market entry for DLECs and CLECs, significantly reducing time and cost compared to traditional OSS development. Its metered OSS structure directly links CommTech's compensation to its client's success in selling new lines and services using the ASP-delivered OSS.

&uot;A major reason we chose CommTech is the tight integration of its products with those from one of the world's leading network equipment manufacturers, based in North America, which is our selected infrastructure vendor,&uot; said Robert Koven, president &chief executive officer, CTI. &uot;We also value CommTech's end-to-end flow-through provisioning capabilities; proven track record developing and delivering leading-edge telecom OSS infrastructure; and its ability to provide a full range of solutions. This mirrors our approach of providing one-stop shopping for telecommunications services.&uot;

CommTech is supplying two software suites to CTI: FastFlow(R) Order Fulfillment Suite (includes Order, Workflow, Inventory, Workforce, and Trouble management), and FastFlow(R) Service Activation Suite (includes DSL Activation, Line Activation, Trunk Activation, Self-Serve Line Activation, Local Automated Routing, and OM/SMDR Collection &Delivery).

CommTech's professional services organization will integrate CTI's existing billing platform into the total ASP solution, demonstrating FastFlow(R) ASP's flexibility in providing end-to-end solutions as well as integrating existing support systems into the overall OSS fabric.

&uot;We welcome CTI to our ASP program, which combines leading-edge offerings and revolutionary pricing to provide new business propositions to the market,&uot; said Frank M. Fawzi, founder, president, and CEO, CommTech Corp. &uot;The value CommTech adds to the world's leading communications service providers (CSPs) and OSS vendor partners -- empowering CSP customers with direct, rapid, web-based access to the best available communications services -- continues to position us to serve innovative new clients like CTI.&uot;

FastFlow(R) Suites Help CSPs Enter Markets and Compete Effectively

CommTech FastFlow(R) suites currently manage more than five million lines in North America and Europe. CommTech's FastFlow(R) Order Fulfillment Suite automates, via a single interface, the processes key to effective delivery of communications services, including management of workflow, ordering, product/service catalog, workforce, inventory, and trouble ticketing systems.

CommTech's FastFlow(R) Service Activation Suite allows CSPs to provision and activate services across voice, data, and cable telephony platforms. CommTech's FastFlow(R) eSuite product enables CSPs to offer an eBusiness Web portal to in-demand applications, building on CommTech's broad expertise in security and partitioning databases for end user control.

Combined Telecom Inc. (CTI)

Combined Telecom Inc. (CTI) is a Canadian facilities-based, national competitive local exchange carrier offering local network access, Internet and data networking, enhanced messaging, wireless services and fully managed, scalable telecom solutions to large enterprises and institutions, initially focusing on the healthcare, education, hospitality, and corporate sectors. Offering one-stop telecommunications shopping, CTI is wholly owned by Tricaster Capital Corp. (TCC), a Canadian merchant bank, controlled by the Campbell family of Toronto, with 40 years' expertise in the communications and information sectors. CTI's Web site is www.combinedtel.com.

CommTech Corp.

CommTech's products enable rapid, convenient, cost-effective delivery of communications services. Its expertise in telecommunications, data communications, and software technology seamlessly integrates even the most complex systems and processes to deliver revenue-generating eBusiness solutions. CommTech customers and partners include more than 50 ILECs, CLEC/DLECs, network equipment manufacturers, other telecom and OSS vendors, cable CSPs, systems integrators, and international operators.

CommTech is a member of and active participant in the TeleManagement Forum (TMF), the ADSL Forum, and the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS). Headquartered in Cranbury, N.J., U.S., CommTech has R& offices in Cranbury and Brick, N.J.; Toronto, Canada; and Westerville, Ohio, with regional offices throughout the U.S. and international offices in Gloucestershire, U.K., and Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. For more information please visit www.comm.com or call 888-COMMTECH.

FastFlow(R) is a registered trademark of CommTech Corp.; other trademarks are property of their respective owners.