Equal Access Networks to Provide Fall River Businesses With Broadband Access.

Business/Technology Editors

FALL RIVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

-- New Wireless Network Provides Increased Capacity and

Reliability at a Lower Cost to Fall River Businesses --

Equal Access Networks (EAN), an independent provider of broadband infrastructure networks for businesses in underserved areas, today announced an agreement with the Fall River Office of Economic Development (FROED), to link Fall River industrial park businesses with high-speed, broadband access to a worldwide network. The announcement was delivered this morning during a press conference held at the Fall River Government Center by Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., and featuring EAN President Daniel J. Kelley, Kenneth Fiola Jr., Esq., executive vice president of FROED, and Joseph Alviani, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Equal Access Networks will initially provide two industrial parks in Fall River -- Fall River Industrial Park and Fall River Commerce Park -- with broadband access to Global Crossing Ltd. (NYSE:GX), an EAN partner that provides integrated telecommunications solutions over the world's most extensive global IP-based fiber optic network. The EAN broadband wireless network will provide higher capacity, reliability and scalability to businesses in the industrial parks. In addition, businesses will pay significantly lower costs for this access and will have more vendors to choose from for multimedia solutions.

"As a result of this deal, Equal Access Networks is enabling Fall River businesses to be more competitive," said Fall River Mayor Lambert. "We anticipate that this agreement will help us attract businesses and people to the area now that our businesses have high-speed access - this is a great initiative for the City of Fall River."

The EAN network offers rates that are significantly less than typical rates for telecommunications access and services currently offered in urban markets. This broadband access will also allow businesses to choose from the `best of the best' voice, video, data and Internet services. Eventually, these services will also be extended to other Fall River businesses outside of these parks.

"Our relationship with EAN will strengthen our ability to attract and retain businesses in Fall River, and attract additional employees by providing new job opportunities," said Kenneth Fiola of FROED. "We believe that broadband accessibility will be a key element in overall business development for the Fall River region."

"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with FROED and to `light up' these industrial parks," said Dan Kelley, president of Equal Access Networks. "The solution that Equal Access Networks provides will allow local businesses more options and choices for services. This wireless network will provide advanced telecommunications services at very competitive prices, giving underserved businesses in Fall River a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace."

About EAN

Equal Access Networks builds, owns and operates independent broadband infrastructure networks for business and industry in underserved suburban and rural markets. Through its broadband networks, the company can provide less expensive access with higher capacity, reliability and scalability. As a result, businesses gain a decided competitive advantage and can negotiate for additional services from other vendors. Equal Access Networks, based in Springfield, MA has developed its first network in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.