Wiltech chooses Cascade Communications ATM and Frame Relay Switches for core of nationwide network.

WESTFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1996--Cascade Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CSCC) today announced that Wiltech has chosen Cascade to provide over 25 CBX 500 ATM (formerly the Cascade 500) and B-STDX 9000 Frame Relay Multiservice Wide Area Network (WAN) Switches as the core for its nationwide Frame Relay and ATM backbone network.

Wiltech is building this new Frame Relay and ATM network infrastructure in support of video and multimedia services for broadcast news organizations, distance learning, advertisers, business television, video conferencing, and the Internet.

"We were looking for a vendor that could provide us with a scalable broadband packet network to cost-effectively deliver next-generation multimedia services," said Wes Nichols, Director of Marketing, Wiltech's broadband multimedia network. "Cascade was the only WAN switch vendor that could meet our ATM and Frame Relay technology requirements and deployment timeframes and do so on platforms offering "Central Office-grade" redundancies designed into their architecture. We tested numerous ATM and Frame Relay switches, and the Cascade products came out on top for cost-effective and timely feature delivery."

Wiltech cited several reasons for choosing the Cascade solution over other vendors'. First, Cascade products deliver the features required for ATM video distribution, such as ATM multicasting and Quality of Service (QoS)-aware ATM routing without any post-deployment upgrades. Second, Cascade offers a network management system unique from others in the industry. All Cascade products, including the CBX 500, the B-STDX 9000, and the newest AX line of remote access switches, are supported by one SNMP-based CascadeView/UX system.

"The combination of port density, access options, software upgrade capabilities, and fully redundant architecture make Cascade products not only price/port leaders today, but promise best-in-class cost of ownership over the long term," continued Nichols.

"Wiltech is building a network that supports the services of the future," said Chris Baldwin, ATM Business Manager, Cascade Communications Corp. "Network service providers are deploying an infrastructure that delivers QoS, both in the switch hardware and in the network routing algorithms."

The CBX 500 ATM Switch delivers unsurpassed network-wide QoS to ATM and Frame Relay networks through the operation of its Quad-Plane ATM switching fabric and through its Virtual Network Navigator, a leadership multiservice connection routing service. These features are vital for the deployment of Internet, video, and Frame Relay data services.

The B-STDX Frame Relay Multiservice WAN switch family was the industry's first, and remains the only, switch to support Frame Relay, ATM, and SMDS (Switched Mulitmegabit Data Services) on a single platform. The B-STDX Frame Relay switches are available in an 8- or 16-slot configuration and can scale to support as many as 1,400 ports per switch.

For more information on any Cascade products, please visit the Cascade home page at http://www.casc.com .

About Cascade Communications Corp.

Cascade Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: CSCC) is at the forefront of broadband data communications with its family of scaleable, carrier-class Frame Relay, ATM and Remote Access switching products. Used by public carriers and Internet service providers worldwide, Cascade's products are forming the foundation of the public network infrastructure for global communications. Cascade is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, USA, with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia/Pacific.

The WilTech Group, Inc.

The WilTech Group specializes in innovative solutions in domestic and international telecommunications services by providing a complete end-to-end multimedia solution which is unsurpassed in the industry today. Vyvx, Inc., WilTech's international video communications unit, is a leading international provider of integrated fiber-optic and satellite video transmission services. In addition to domestic and international satellite transponder space capacity, the company provides television transmission services via its 11,000-mile U.S. fiber-optic network; syndication distribution services; fixed and transportable satellite uplinks and downlinks; and coordination and transmission services for news, sports, entertainment, business, and special events. Williams Learning Network (WLN) offers CD-ROM and interactive video laserdisk multimedia training courseware which combines full motion video, high resolution 3-D graphics and animation, interactive exercises and digital audio to create true multimedia learning programs. ITC mediaConferencing will also be utilized in the delivery of The Business Channel programming. ITC is a leader in mediaconferencing, providing integrated conferencing services including audioconferencing, enhanced fax services, and multi-point videoconferencing.

The Williams Companies, Inc.

The Williams Companies consists of the nation's largest-volume system of interstate natural gas pipelines; business units offering a complete array of traditional and leading-edge energy solutions; and single-source providers of national business communications systems and international satellite and fiber-optic video services. (NYSE:WMB) Company information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.twc.com .

CONTACT: Lucia Graziano

Cascade Communications Corp.

508-692-2600

[e-mail]

or

Susan Shelby

Neva Group

617-441-4000

[e-mail]