Tech Data Selects Ascend as Remote Networking Vendor of Choice.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 1996--Ascend Communications, Inc., (NASDAQ: ASND), today announced that Tech Data Corporation, a worldwide computer and network products distributor based in Clearwater, Fla., will become a major distributor of Ascend's Pipeline and MAX products to more than 50,000 value-added resellers (VARs) in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.

Under the agreement, Tech Data will distribute the full range of Ascend's remote networking products, giving VARs greater ability to implement total networking solutions for telecommuting, remote office connectivity, and Internet access. It also provides VARs all the advantages of buying Ascend products through Tech Data, including 24-hour delivery, technical support, access to credit, and competitive pricing.

"The agreement with Tech Data reflects the rapidly rising demand from resellers and integrators who want to become Ascend VARs," said Peter Raulerson, president and CEO at ParaTechnology, a Bellevue, Wash.-based market research and consulting firm specializing in the networking reseller channel. "This comes as no surprise since industry analysts regard Ascend as the leader in remote networking equipment. They're the fastest growing network equipment company, having capitalized on the exploding market for ISDN and Frame Relay. Everyone wants to work with the leader in today's hottest markets -- remote access and the Internet."

"Ascend was our preferred choice because they are a premier provider of remote networking solutions," said Roy Appelbaum, vice president of the Networking Product Marketing Division at Tech Data. "The agreement enables us to bundle Internet and remote access solutions that will allow our resellers to take advantage of Ascend's strength in the Internet marketplace. Since the Ascend MAX is installed in many of the largest Internet service provider POPs, using the Ascend Pipeline at the remote site provides even greater functionality offering an ideal solution for businesses connecting to the Internet."

"Ascend is the only company that delivers totally integrated remote networking solutions, and Tech Data has distinguished itself as a leader in supporting networking VARs," said Bernie Schneider, Ascend vice president, marketing. "Through Tech Data, resellers can get the support they need to deploy large-scale, end-to-end solutions for both small businesses and central sites."

Ascend offers the largest remote access product line in the industry, delivering over 40 models that integrate all network services such as analog, ISDN, Frame Relay, SW56, and T1/E1. Ascend products range from the Pipeline 25 for the small office/home office market, priced at under $1,000, to corporate WAN access switches for over $60,000.

Tech Data is a leading distributor of personal computer products to more than 50,000 value-added resellers and retail dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The Fortune 500 company is a major distributor of communications and data transport products in networking, software, computer systems, mass storage, and peripherals.

Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and supports a broad range of high-speed digital wide area network access products. These products use bandwidth on demand to enhance and extend existing corporate networks for applications such as remote LAN access, telecommuting, Internet access, videoconferencing and integrated voice, data and video access. -0-

Note to Editors: Ascend is headquartered at 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94502. Phone: [phone] or 510/769-6001; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]. Ascend's home page on the World Wide Web is http://www.ascend.com.

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Chuck Miller, 813/539-7429 x7251