TORONTO, ON - March 1, 2000 - C1 Communications and Cisco Systems Canada Co. (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced C1 Communications is participating in the Cisco-Powered Network Program (CPN). Cisco developed this program to identify service providers who offer the highest levels of

quality and reliability, and to introduce these service providers to the market.

The CPN relationship highlights C1 Communications and Cisco's mutual focus on maintaining high levels of network quality and assuring customer access to customized, innovative technology solutions. Under the program, the two companies are collaborating to offer dependable and secure commercial communications services to enterprise customers, including Internet, data and voice

solutions specialized to meet the needs of individual companies.

"DSL is our latest leading edge initiative and we are pleased to be a member of the Cisco-Powered Network Program to drive this innovation," said A.S. (Tony) Cassetta, president and chief operations officer, C1 Communications.

Through its relationship with Cisco, C1 Communications supports an end-to-end DSL network with products such as Cisco universal access concentrators and DSL access concentrators throughout its core, central office and customer premise networks. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology is one of the fastest growing developments designed to meet high-bandwidth requirements for data, voice and video integration. These technologies provide high-speed digital data transmission over copper telephone lines, allowing C1 Communications to offer innovative, economical and easy to implement managed data services, as well as integrated telephony services.

"C1 Communications was one of the first service providers in Canada to offer customers a continuous connection to the Internet via their phone line without interrupting regular phone services," said Yves Laliberti, director, service provider line of business, Cisco Systems Canada Co. "C1 Communications' CPN relationship with Cisco will ensure high-quality, reliable services and will enable end-customers to feel confident their service provider will deliver a high level of network interoperability and performance, as well as new, advanced and differentiated services." In the Cisco-Powered Network Program, C1 Communications will market services based on Cisco equipment and software.

About C1 Communications

C1 communications is an integrated provider of telecommunications services with headquarters in Saint John, New Brunswick, and corporate offices in Mississauga, Ontario. C1 offers a wide range of options including: Internet, data and voice solutions. C1 delivers customized, tailored products that produce real value measured in timely, cost effective solutions and trouble free dependability. In February 2000, C1 launched its DSL services in Halifax and Saint John. The company's next plans include introducing DSL services in the greater Toronto area in April 2000. C1 will market business applications directly, and residential services on a wholesale basis.

About Cisco Systems Canada Co.

Cisco Systems - with $12 billion (US) in revenues and over 19,000 employees - is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Established in 1990, Cisco Systems Canada employs over 500 Canadians and is headquartered in Toronto, with field sales and service offices across the country. In addition, Cisco also has a state-of-the-art development centre in Kanata, ON - focusing on the development of optical internetworking solutions to build the next generation of the Internet backbone.

The Internet is changing the way people work, live, learn and play - and Cisco Systems Canada is a primary agent of this change and a compelling example of the power of this revolution. By widely deploying business solutions based on the Internet, Cisco Systems saves over $500 million (US) per year in operating costs, has grown revenues by 100% in two years and has increased customer satisfaction at the same time. Cisco produces networking solutions for enterprise organizations, service providers and small/emerging businesses. Additional information on the company and its products can be found at www.cisco.com/ca.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at the Cisco Press Room.

# # #

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