Telcel Venezuela Selects Newbridge Networks Broadband Multiservice, Multi-Access Platform: Nationwide Network Supports Next-Generation IP, Voice and Data Services.

Business Editors

CHANTILLY, VA./CARACAS, VENEZUELA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2000

Newbridge Networks (NYSE: NN)(TSE: NNC.) today announced that Telcel Venezuela C.A., a value-added telecommunications service provider and a Bell South affiliated company, has selected the Newbridge(r) broadband multiservice platform for its nationwide voice and data network. Telcel offers voice, frame relay and wireless services, as well as Internet protocol (IP) access to corporate customers, including financial institutions, retail establishments and manufacturing companies.

Built on the industry-leading MainStreetXpress(tm) 36170 Multiservices Switch -- the largest selling ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switch in the industry, the network links Venezuela's major cities and business hubs. This enables Telcel to extend its customer reach and deliver a wide range of next generation IP, voice and data services over a single, fully managed, multiservice platform. These services include voice over ATM, local area network (LAN) interconnection, and highly flexible and available Internet protocol virtual private networks (IP-VPNs).

"Selecting the Newbridge multiservice solution is a giant step forward for Telcel," said Enrique Garcia Viamonte, executive president, Telcel Venezuela C.A. "Our highly scalable, fully managed network will enable us to excel in Latin America's competitive communications environment by being first to market with the kinds of innovative services our customers need to succeed well into the future. Installed in the networks of more than 350 service providers worldwide, the multiservice, multi-access 36170 switch provides a broad range of interfaces and service offerings. These include native cell relay, circuit emulation for advanced private line services, voice over frame relay and ATM, IP-VPNs, digital subscriber line (xDSL), and broadband wireless services.

"In designing a customized networking solution for Telcel, we naturally drew upon our extensive service provider experience, while focusing on Telcel's commitment to provide premium quality services to its customers," said Enrique Diaz, executive vice president and general manager, Latin America, Newbridge Networks. "The Newbridge multiservice, multi-access platform, which offers unmatched end-to-end network and service management, will enable Telcel to tackle competitive challenges head-on and ensure its continued growth and success."

End-to-end network and service management for Telcel's network is provided through the industry-leading MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager. It enables network and service management across multiple technologies and services, including IP, ATM, frame relay and time division multiplexing (TDM). The 46020 system also enables service providers such as Telcel to adapt their networks as the needs of their customers evolve, allowing them to quickly add new service offerings, without increasing the overhead associated with introducing new management systems and staff retraining.

This results in lower overall operating costs, reduced provisioning times and greater efficiency in the use of the network infrastructure. The centralized system provides a consolidated view of the entire network, from the customer to the core. Up to 255 management workstations can be attached to the network, with individualized viewpoints covering 250,000 PVC connections -- or well over one million SVCs (permanent and switched virtual connections).

Telcel's plans include offering broadband wireless services through a local multipoint distribution system (LMDS). LMDS, a high capacity broadband wireless system operating in the 28 GHz spectrum, can be quickly deployed to cost-effectively deliver data, Internet, voice, video and multimedia services in a point-to-multipoint fashion.

About Telcel

Telcel is a communication company in Venezuela with emphasis in wireless products such as cellular, data and Internet. In addition, it is a supplier of national long-distance service and value-added services in the communications area. Telcel has more than 2,500,000 cellular subscribers and is the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Venezuela. Founded in 1991, the company employs more than 2,600 people. More information is available at www.telcel.net.ve

About Newbridge Networks

Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services wide area networking solutions for Internet service providers; local, long-distance, and wireless communications companies; cable television carriers; and corporate customers in more than 100 countries. The Company leverages its relationship with a growing family of Newbridge Affiliate companies and strategic alliances with numerous other networking companies to deliver complete, end-to-end solutions. Newbridge customers include the world's 350 largest telecommunications service providers and more than 10,000 corporations, government organizations and other institutions. Founded in 1986, the Company employs more than 6,000 people on six continents. News and information are available at www.newbridge.com.

Newbridge and logo are registered trademarks of Newbridge Networks Corporation.