Frontline Communications Selects Ascend Solutions to Build Regional Backbone Network and Deliver New Services.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1999--

Frontline Multiservice Network to Provide Greater Efficiency

and Service Variety to Small Businesses

Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Network (IN) solutions for providers and users of the next-generation public network, today announced that Frontline Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:FCCN), a regional Internet service provider (ISP), is deploying Ascend's Multiservice core and access solutions to provide data services for small businesses in the Northeast.

Working with Ascend to develop its infrastructure, Frontline will offer enhanced data communications services, such as, Frame Relay service and digital subscriber line (DSL) services. These new services will be delivered via Ascend's multiservice core, access and Signaling System 7 (SS7) signaling solutions enabling Frontline to lower operational costs and increase its network flexibility.

"We chose to partner with Ascend because they understand our long-term business objectives and offer the full spectrum of tools and services to help us achieve them -- from proven core switching products to on-site service professionals," said Stephen J. Cole-Hatchard, president of Frontline Communications. "Only Ascend can empower us with a total end-to-end solution to leverage operational efficiencies, increase our management options, and allow us to roll-out new services quickly."

As part of its initiative to build and manage three "SuperPOPs," Frontline will utilize a variety of Ascend solutions. Frontline is using the Ascend market-leading CBX 500(TM) Multiservice ATM switch to build out its asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) core backbone, the B-STDX(TM) 9000 Multiservice WAN switch for Frame Relay concentration of Internet traffic, and the MAX TNT(TM) WAN access switch with the Ascend Signaling Gateway (ASG) to provide greater network efficiency as Frontline begins to deliver services from its competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) subsidiary, CLEC Communications. Frontline is also utilizing NavisCore(TM) and NavisAccess(TM) network management products.

To enable Frontline to build new data services, the company is working with Ascend's Global Integration Services (GIS) business unit to implement Ascend's next-generation public network solutions and ensure rapid service deployment.

"Frontline is poised to offer innovative, cost-effective, and reliable data communications services to small and medium-sized businesses with its next-generation network," said Dave Misunas, vice president of marketing and product management, Core Systems Division, Ascend Communications, Inc. "Their Ascend network will deliver a greater range of service offerings at competitive price points -- including ATM, Frame Relay and DSL solutions."

About Frontline Communications

Frontline Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:FCCN) is an Internet service provider that offers "Effortless E-Commerce and Internet Access(TM)" to individual and business subscribers located in the northeast United States. Frontline currently serves thousands of subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Frontline is following an aggressive acquisition strategy. Since going public in May 1998, Frontline has acquired three ISPs and one E-commerce company and is continuing to target and acquire ISPs, E-commerce, and Web development companies. Frontline's goal is to be the dominant provider of E-commerce solutions and Internet access for small business in the Northeast.

In 1998, CLEC Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline, was granted CLEC status by the New York State Public Service Commission. CLEC filings in additional states are planned for the near future.

About Ascend Communications

Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND) develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.

For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to [e-mail]. For Investor Relations, please call our communications hotline at 800-648-3059 or 760-704-4423 (outside the US & Canada). Additional investor information can also be accessed on our Web site at: http://www.ascend.com/investor/. Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510-814-2300.

In January 1999, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Lucent Technologies Inc. ("Lucent"), pursuant to which, each outstanding share of Ascend common stock will be exchanged for 0.825 shares of Lucent common stock and each outstanding option or warrant to purchase Ascend common stock will be converted into an option or warrant to purchase Lucent common stock (adjusted for the exchange ratio).

In February 1999, Lucent announced a two-for-one stock split, payable on April 1, 1999, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 1999. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the exchange ratio will be adjusted for the effect of this stock split and any similar changes in the capitalization of Lucent.

The foregoing statements may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve risks or uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in international sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.