NHCTC Chooses NEC PBX System for New Telecommunications Program.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 1998--To prepare students entering the growing telecommunications field in the next millennium, The New Hampshire Community Technical College (NHCTC) in Nashua has chosen the new NEAX(R)2000 PBX system by NEC America Inc. (NEC) as the hub for its degreed telecommunications program.

The Nashua campus is the first NHCTC campus to have NEC PBX equipment in their Telecommunications Labs. The labs will feature two 64 port NEAX(R)2000 IVS/SP (Integrated Voice Server/Small Platform) systems linked by T1 units and the AD-16 (Automatic Distribution) Business Messaging Platform. In addition, NHCTC also purchased two other NEC PBX's for administrative purposes at both the Nashua and Claremont campuses.

NHCTC Nashua/Claremont offers Associate Degrees and Certificate Programs in a variety of business and industry-specific fields. In an effort to provide a high quality telecom program, the college has aligned itself with the Northeast Center for Telecommunications Technologies (NCTT), an advanced technical center for the instruction of telecommunications engineering technology. NHCTC's telecommunications program will permit students to enter the field as telecommunications technicians, analysts, fiber optic technicians, communications/control technicians and telecommunications engineering technicians.

"As an active member of the NCTT collaborative, NHCTC is dedicated to the technological instruction of students to ensure the globally competitive advantage of America's telecommunications industry," said Lucille Jordan, president of the college at Nashua/Claremont.

NEC will also be involved in courseware content, support "train the trainer" programs and jointly participate in key developments/announcements in the state.

"NEC is excited about the opportunity to make technical resources available to NHCTC in support of the college's efforts to upgrade its telecommunications labs and overall campus environment," said Victor Foia, engineering vice president for NEC America Corporate Networks Group.

ICS Communications, Inc. of Concord, NH, an authorized NEC dealer, has been awarded the contract for installation of NEAX2000 PBX systems in the Nashua and Claremont facilities based in part upon the technical scope of the project and their factory trained staff.

"ICS takes pride in selling NEC products that are state-of-the-art and able to meet their customers' current and future communications needs," said Dick Burpee, president, ICS. "We strive to provide the latest PBX technology at a competitive price."

NEC's NEAX2000 IVS is a powerful and versatile communications platform that provides numerous options and better access for faster transactions to meet the immediate communications challenges of today and tomorrow. Its technology infrastructure integrates computers and telephones with powerful functions and versatile applications. For example, the Microsoft(R) Intel(R) Telephone Application Programming Interface (TAPI) link delivers flexible desktop network integration. Similarly, the Novell Netware(R) Telephony Services Application Programming Interface (TSAPI) link delivers server integration.

NEC is an industry leader which has worked in conjunction with the National Science Foundation and New England Community Colleges to develop and implement pilot programs, broaden telecommunications instruction and recruit qualified high school participation for future career path opportunities. Their joint goal is the development of industry-driven curriculum for leading edge telecommunications applications.

NEC America, Inc., an affiliate of NEC Corporation, develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of advanced communications products and software for public and private networks, including digital key telephone and PBX systems; ATM switching systems; PCS equipment; cellular telephones; pagers; facsimile equipment; videoconferencing equipment; fiber optic transmission systems; data communications products; digital microwave radio, satellite communications and network management systems. NEC Corporation and it affiliates worldwide are a $37 billion global leader whose 151,000 employees are dedicated to providing leading-edge computer, communications and semiconductor products and services.

For additional information on NEC America, Inc. Corporate Networks Group and it products, please consult the World Wide Web at: http:llwww.neccng.com or call 800-TEAM-NEC

Note to Editors: NEX(R) is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. Microsoft(R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Intel(R) is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Novell etware(R) is registered trademark of Novell Corporation

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