GTE Internetworking expands national broadband network to become a leading broadband DSL service provider. Covad, NorthPoint Communications, and Jato Communications sign agreements to work with GTE

BURLINGTON, Mass. - GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corp (NYSE: GTE), today announced the expansion of its national broadband network to offer high-speed Internet access service across the United States. The new high-speed network access will enable Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer an end-to-end broadband solution to their customers on a national basis. Additionally, corporate customers will now be able to purchase broadband services for remote offices and telecommuters from a single-source provider.

Currently, GTE Internetworking provides DSL access in 15 states utilizing GTE Network Services' access services. GTE's consumer/small business ISP, GTE.net, is offering a full suite of Internet services along with fast DSL access in these locations. GTE Internetworking has also signed agreements with Covad, NorthPoint Communications and Jato Communications to expand its national footprint beyond the GTE local telephone services area. In addition, GTE Internetworking will be offering aggregation and IP transport services to these same access providers. Additionally, GTE Internetworking provides this transport service to Bell Atlantic end-users under a teaming agreement between the two companies. They have also entered into a relationship to expand GTE Internetworking's national broadband network.

"Covad has once again expanded businesses and consumers' access to broadband services by working with GTE Internetworking," said Robert Roblin, Covad senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. "We are pleased to be working with a leading company that understands the importance of making it easy for customers to have access to end-to-end broadband networks."

"The combination of NorthPoint's network - currently serving more markets in the U.S. than any other DSL-based broadband network - and GTE Internetworking's DSL initiative will accelerate the availability of broadband services to more businesses and consumers," said Michael Malaga, NorthPoint's chairman and CEO. "We look forward to working with GTE as it extends the benefits of broadband services to more customers nationwide."

"Jato's tier-two strategy is an excellent complement to GTE Internetworking's national network initiative and we are pleased to provide coverage in many strategic smaller markets," said Jato CEO Brian Gast.

Advantages for ISPs and Businesses

By purchasing end-to-end broadband services from GTE Internetworking, ISP's will no longer be required to negotiate individual DSL loop agreements with Local Exchange Carriers and Data CLECs. By using large scale purchasing agreements with access providers, GTE Internetworking will be able to provide more competitive prices and consolidated services to ISPs and large businesses. Another benefit for ISPs and businesses is a single access provider operational support system (OSS) interface, thereby reducing the complexity of ordering and provisioning broadband services. Included in the service, GTE Internetworking will coordinate installation, and support activities with the local broadband service providers on the customer's behalf.

"Our unique ability to offer broadband services to our ISP and business customers throughout the U.S. has helped us become the leader in the DSL market," said Paul R. Gudonis, president of GTE Internetworking. "Our agreements with Covad, NorthPoint and Jato, as well as our relationships with Bell Atlantic and GTE Network Services, give us the widest array of broadband services in the industry."

The National Rollout

GTE Internetworking currently provides service in the Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Hawaii, Tampa, Raleigh/Durham areas as well as 14 other GTE Network Services markets. With the signing of these agreements, service in key cities such as Atlanta, Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington DC, New York, Boston, will be added in early 2000 to provide coverage in all national major markets. GTE Internetworking will also be pushing into smaller markets next year.

About GTE Corp. and GTE Internetworking

GTE Internetworking, a unit of GTE Corporation (NYSE:GTE), offers customers, from consumers to Fortune 500 companies, a full spectrum of integrated Internet services using IP networking technologies. GTE Internetworking delivers complete network solutions, including dial-up and dedicated Internet access, high-performance Web hosting, virtual private networks (VPNs), managed Internet security, network management, systems integration, and Web-based application development for integrating the Internet into business operations. GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated voice, video and data services. Additional information about GTE Internetworking can be found on the Internet at http://www.bbn.com, and about GTE Corp. at http://www.gte.com.

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