Cisco End-to-End IP+Optical Network to Provide Cambrian's Wholesale Customers Enormous Transport Capabilities and Scalability

FAIRFAX, Va., November 5, 2000 - Cambrian Communications, LLC, an emerging end-to-end network solutions provider, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, to purchase the full suite of Cisco Internet Protocol (IP)+Optical solutions to construct its new fiber rich metro and long-haul network. This first-ever end-to-end Cisco IP+Optical network will enable Cambrian to build the most advanced, next generation Internet infrastructure capable of delivering cost-effective transport and unprecedented multi-service offerings. Cambrian's wholesale customers will benefit from superior network performance, flexible pricing and rapid on-time service delivery while enjoying scalable, high-bandwidth service.

Cambrian Communications, developer of an all-optical, Fiber Rich Network, will construct and operate its initial metropolitan area networks (MANs) along its fully redundant backbone connecting New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. By building and operating its own local and long-haul networks, privately held Cambrian solves the last mile bottleneck by providing dynamic, high-bandwidth solutions to meet the critical wholesale communications needs of emerging service providers, carriers and major private network owners. Through the combination of IP with its high-speed optical backbone, Cambrian will be able to deliver a full spectrum of differentiated service offerings.

While many broadband providers are focusing only on long-haul bandwidth between major cities, Cambrian will concentrate its resources on providing broadband solutions within select, under-served metropolitan markets. Cambrian will initially provide network services including Optical Wavelength, Virtual Wavelength and Ethernet, as well as collocation services to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

"Cambrian's experienced technology team evaluated more than 50 technology suppliers in its search for a partner to build an end-to-end optical network, coupling current and next generation services demanded by today's wholesale customers," says Brian D. Oliver, Cambrian's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With its leadership in IP routing, optical networking technology and content/services intelligence, Cisco is the ideal partner, enabling us to deploy a network infrastructure that will meet our wholesale customers' current and future needs. This compelling relationship will enable Cambrian to deliver extensive bandwidth services past the last mile bottleneck, all the way to our customer."

Building with Light

Cambrian will use Cisco's IP+Optical solution throughout its metro and long-haul network. When fully implemented, Cambrian's optical network will include Cisco ONS 15200 Metropolitan Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (mDWDM) Systems, ONS 15454 Optical Transport Platforms, ONS 15800 (long-haul) DWDM Systems and the ONS 15900 Series Wavelength Routers. The 12000 Series Internet Routers and Catalyst 6500 Series (Ethernet) Switches will support a scalable and feature rich IP network. Combined, these open standards-based products and IP technologies deliver a complete IP+Optical solution for building Internet-scale, carrier-class optical networks that maximize the granular capabilities of packet-based networks.

Enabling differentiated service delivery, Cambrian's Operations Support System (OSS) features Cisco Internet OSS network management components including: Cisco Transport Manager (CTM) and Cisco Element Framework (CEMF). Additionally, Cambrian will utilize Cisco professional services for network installation and management of its Network Operations Center (NOC). Together, Cisco's Internet OSS strategy and professional services provide Cambrian with a complete solution to meet the operational and business needs of today's IP+Optical networks.

"We are delighted to be working with a cutting-edge solutions provider like Cambrian who fully embraces the technology of today and tomorrow and who is capitalizing on the power of IP+Optical to position themselves well into the future," says Carl Russo, Cisco's Group Vice President, Optical Networking. "In today's fiercely competitive, Internet-driven marketplace, service providers' primary challenge is scaling the Internet to meet demand. The solution to these challenges rests in the disruptive technology and radical economics that IP+Optical solutions deliver: IP enables value-added services, while optical adds bandwidth and radically lowers costs. Cambrian's dynamic network will have these advantages right from the start. With its own backbone and local access powered by Cisco IP+ Optical solutions, Cambrian is uniquely positioned to enable their customers, including New World service providers, to reach greater service velocity and achieve the radical economics that will make their businesses thrive."

About Cambrian

Cambrian Communications, LLC, based in Fairfax, VA, provides dynamic, high-bandwidth solutions to meet the complex wholesale communications needs of carriers, emerging service providers and major private network owners. Cambrian, developer of an all-optical, Fiber Rich Network, will construct and operate its initial metropolitan area networks (MANs) along its fully redundant backbone connecting New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Cambrian's management team has proven leadership experience with top communications companies and start-ups, both domestically and internationally. Through build and ownership of its own local and long-haul network, privately held Cambrian solves the last mile bottleneck by providing broadband services to America's newest markets. Cambrian has identified a distinct market niche with tremendous growth potential. Institutional investors in Cambrian include Duff Ackerman & Goodrich, LLC and Dominion Telecom Partners. News and information are available at www.cambrian.net.