Continental Cablevision announces advanced router trials and marketing agreement with Cisco Systems.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 1997-- Continental Cablevision, the domestic cable arm of U S WEST Media Group (NYSE: UMG), and Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced plans to conduct trials of Cisco's most advanced Internet technologies, designed to deliver broadband Internet applications and services, including high capacity streaming video, telephony over the Internet (IP telephony) and interactive games.

Also announced was a marketing agreement that will make Cisco's world class networking products and support available to Continental customers as part of complete end-to-end solutions.

The initial deployment of advanced router technologies, capable of switching at gigabit speeds, will begin in 1997 and help both companies understand the demands of customers using broadband Internet applications and services. Cable modem and digital subscriber line (DSL) access technologies will be used in the efforts. Continental will also be among the first broadband Internet provider to deploy Cisco's carrier class gigabit switching routers.

"Scaling routing and switching solutions to deliver secure multi-bit connections to the mass market, including small and mid-sized businesses, requires new architectural and protocol approaches," said Paul Bosco, Continental's Director of Broadband Infrastructure and Services Development.

"By working with Cisco to deliver enhanced gigabit IP switching, SONET transmission, dynamic resource reservation, multicast and integrated service delivery solutions, we will be able to more quickly and effectively achieve our market objectives. We need to meet growing market demand, rapidly deliver new services, and ensure the stability and security our customers expect. Cisco's new router technologies could help us achieve these goals," Bosco said.

Frank Marshall, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Core Business Unit said, "Our combined efforts should lead to products which better leverage cable network infrastructures while quickly providing integrated and deployed solutions. We expect these advances will benefit Cisco and broadband Internet technology worldwide."

The marketing and sales agreements also announced will make Cisco-provided customer purchase financing, training development, special sales incentives, and joint marketing support available to enhance Continental's bundled networking solutions for small and mid-sized businesses, educational institutions, government offices, and health care facilities. Cisco recently introduced similar ISP business solutions programs to the marketplace, allowing customers like Continental to easily deploy services to their end users.

"This important agreement will allow us to resell Cisco solutions with financial and other support to help us deliver leading edge end to end network solutions to our customers," Bosco said.

Continental Cablevision, a unit of U S WEST Media Group (NYSE:UMG), is the nation's third largest broadband telecommunications provider, serving more than 4.8 million subscribers in 19 states. U S WEST Media Group is involved in domestic and international cable and telephony, wireless communications, and directory and information services. For 1996, Media Group reported proportionate revenues of $6.4 billion. Media Group is one of two major groups that make up U S WEST, a company in the connections business, helping customers share information, entertainment and communications services in local markets nationwide. U S WEST's other major group, U S WEST Communications, provides telecommunications services in 14 states.

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com .

CONTACT: Dave Wood

Continental Cablevision

617-854-3174

http://www.highway1.com

http://www.continental.com

or

Patrick Wright

Cisco Systems

508-244-8164

[e-mail]