News Release

NewSouth Communications Rolls Out Latest Cisco Technology

NewSouth Communications to Implement Cisco MGX 8850 Network
cisco_building_corporate_002-jpg-1889882-1-0
Jul 07, 1999



GREENVILLE, S.C. -- July 7, 1999 -- NewSouth Communications announced today it has selected Cisco Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: CSCO) next-generation switches as a key component of the Company's IP+ATM network infrastructure. The MGX 8850 multiservice wide-area switches allow NewSouth Communications' customers to enjoy robust voice, Internet, data, and video services. In addition, NewSouth Communications can now customize multiple services and provide on-demand access. The MGX 8850 wide-area switch also integrates with customer premise equipment, enabling NewSouth Communications to easily integrate its business customers' networks.

Using Cisco's MGX 8850 Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) functionality, NewSouth Communications will integrate IP and ATM within the same networking environment. Cisco's unique IP+ATM technology combines industry-leading Cisco IOS. software with carrier-class ATM to give service providers the privacy characteristics and quality of service (QoS) benefits of ATM with the universal connectivity of IP. The MGX 8850's edge switch functionality will allow the efficient interconnection of NewSouth Communications' Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services as well as our existing network of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) 5ESS. switching centers, across an ATM backbone.

"Choosing Cisco's MGX 8850 is another example of NewSouth Communications' commitment to providing the very best possible technology for our customers," said Tracy Cooper, NewSouth Communications' Executive Vice President of Network Engineering and Operations." The MGX 8850 is the latest and most advanced carrier-class ATM switch available today and allows us to build the most flexible and reliable voice and data network for our customers." Michael L. LaFrance, President & CEO added, "Our relationship with Cisco and deployment of their latest technology provides the best of both worlds to our customers-IP and ATM on a single platform. Simply stated, consumers in our region will now have access to the most sophisticated technology available anywhere in the world."

"By implementing a Cisco IP+ATM network based on the MGX 8850, NewSouth Communications is demonstrating its commitment to building an advanced infrastructure to deliver New World services," said Kevin Kennedy, senior vice president of the Service Provider Line of Business at Cisco Systems. "Cisco's solutions empower NewSouth Communications to provide its customers with value-added services that are highly reliable and meet the stringent demands of a competitive marketplace."

About NewSouth Communications

NewSouth Communications is a switch-based Integrated Communications Provider (ICP) whose senior management team collectively possesses over 80 years of experience in successful telecommunications-oriented businesses, including ACC Corp, now AT&T (NYSE: T), QWEST (NASDAQ: QWST), and MCI/WorldCom (NASDAQ: WCOM). NewSouth Communications is actively expanding its network of Lucent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LU) AnyMedia 5ESS-2000 switches and installing switches to serve new markets, including Birmingham, Louisville, Jacksonville, Miami, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Over the next two years, NewSouth Communications will offer a comprehensive selection of local, long distance, data, and enhanced telecommunications services throughout the nine-state BellSouth region. For more information, visit the Company's web site at http://www.newsouth.com or contact Susanne Hite at susanne@newsouth.com.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet.

# # #

Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.