WALTHAM, Mass. -- April 20, 1999 -- CTC Communications, Corp. (NASDAQ: CPTL) and Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced today the new CTC Integrated Communications Network (ICN), which will provide an end-to-end integrated, voice and data network for customers in the Northeast, has qualified for the Cisco Powered Network program. This qualification provides the ICN customer with a service that is reliable, secure and offers the highest performance of a Cisco-based network. Cisco and CTC will work together on the joint market development of CTC's ICN and Customer Premise data solutions.
In September 1998, CTC and Cisco entered into an agreement in which Cisco would supply the primary networking equipment for the CTC ICN. The CTC ICN will be offered as a fully integrated end-to-end network service this summer to customers in the Northeast. ICN will initially consist of 22 Cisco powered hub locations extending from New York to Maine and covering all the New England states. The CTC ICN Network is powered by a suite of Cisco networking products, including IP, frame relay and ATM, which will enable CTC to provide its customers with enhanced, value added, high speed Internet, data, video and long distance voice services.
"Our relationship with CTC Communications will enable the CTC ICN customers to access a high level of network interoperability and performance, as well as advanced New World services," said Larry Lang, Cisco vice president of service provider marketing. "As a certified Cisco Powered Network service, ICN customers can be confident they are receiving an industry-leading network service which is built on Cisco's high-performance, reliable and secure components."
In designing and developing the ICN, CTC and Cisco utilized International Network Services (INS), a strategic engineering and global leader in providing high level telecommunications integration services. INS will continue to collaborate with CTC through the final design phases to ICN network implementation.
"Cisco and INS are two exceptional and future oriented companies," stated Robert Fabbricatore, CEO of CTC Communications. "Cisco's pace of development and knowledge of evolving marketplace needs is not only impressive, but far exceeds that of other equipment suppliers we have explored. With similar vigor and expertise, INS has contributed substantially to the design and engineering of the CTC ICN Network. I believe this combined effort has resulted in a state-of-the-art, Cisco-powered ICN design which can be labeled the telecommunications network for today and the future."
The CTC ICN Network will cost-effectively serve the most sophisticated data needs of CTC's customers in the Northeast. "We believe that CTC is uniquely qualified to execute Cisco's vision of the next generation IP-based fully integrated communications network," stated Mr. Fabbricatore.
CTC's ICN Network service achieved its designation as a Cisco Powered Network service because the service is based predominantly on Cisco equipment and software. CTC's participation in the Cisco Powered Network program demonstrates the company's emphasis on providing services based on industry-leading technology solutions that create a New World communications infrastructure.
About CTC Communications
CTC is a rapidly growing provider of integrated communications solutions to small and medium sized business customers in the Northeast U.S. It provides an extensive array of voice and data services including local, long distance, enhanced telephone services, frame relay, Internet access and T1 and ISDN services. The company markets its services through its 175 member direct sales force throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are, accordingly, cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties is set forth in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-K. CTC undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect results, events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Cisco Powered Network is a trademark. Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the US and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
