GTE Launches Internet Connectivity Service To Enable Multiple T1Access; Works Closely with Cisco Systems to Provide UniqueAlternative to T3 Access Lines

GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corporation (NYSE: GTE), today introduced its Multi-T1 managed Internet connectivity service for businesses that need increased bandwidth but find T3 access too expensive. Designed in conjunction with Cisco Systems, the new Multi-T1 service provides increased capacity and performance through aggregated T1 lines, offering competitively priced and high-speed/high-volume Internet access.

'We quickly realized that our business was growing so fast that we needed more than a single T1 connection and GTE Internetworking enabled us to purchase additional T1 lines to support our new office and services,' said Reginal McLaurin, president and founder of Art Unique, a rapidly growing Internet-based service business. 'The Multi-TI service allows us to pursue new business opportunities with minimal risk because of the flexibility to add bandwidth easily, quickly and cost-effectively.'

With the new Multi-T1 service, customers can bundle between two and six T1 lines, getting the capacity and performance ranging from 3Mbps to 9Mbps without the expense of a T3 connection. GTE Internetworking's Multi-T1 is enabled by Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF), a Cisco IOS software functionality, which balances traffic across all T1 lines, generating consistent performance at a level equivalent to a fractional T3.

'Until today, businesses looking to add to their Internet capacity had only one option - purchasing a T3 line. Now our customers are free to expand their access connections using aggregate, load-balanced, multimegabit, T1 lines at a reduced cost,' said Richard Kane, service line manager for GTE Internetworking's Managed Connectivity Service. 'Our work with Cisco was key to developing this new service, enabling us to create scalability with the T1's and to obtain true aggregate bandwidth.'

The Multi-T1 service is available in various service level options and can be contracted with either a flexible or fixed priced plan. The basic installation requires the use of a Cisco 4700 series router with four serial ports, and the necessary number of CSU/DSU's for the equivalent number of T1's. GTE Internetworking will lease or sell the hardware needed - enabling customers to receive the same Cisco products and technology that power some of the world's largest business networks.

'Cisco's high-performance, reliable networking solutions enable leading service providers like GTE Internetworking to offer differentiated services,' said Larry Lang, vice president of marketing for Cisco's Service Provider line of business. 'GTE's relationship with Cisco and our JumpStart consulting program enables us to develop new services and deliver them to market well ahead of the competition. GTE Internetworking and Cisco worked together to make the Multi-T1 concept a reality through the JumpStart strategic joint marketing program. In the program, GTE Internetworking and Cisco assembled a joint marketing team to create and manage a service delivery plan that included marketing, training, and tools development to support Multi-T1.'

GTE Internetworking has been designated a Cisco Powered Network. For its participation in the program, GTE has access to the Cisco Powered Network logo, marketing support and network technology, enabling it to provide innovative services and industry-leading solutions.

GTE Internetworking's new Multi-T1 service is now available in 27 locations including: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Palo Alto, Calif., Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., San Diego and San Jose.

About GTE Internetworking

GTE Internetworking, a unit of GTE Corporation (NYSE:GTE), includes the former BBN Corporation, which 29 years ago developed the ARPANET, the forerunner to today's Internet, and GTE Intelligent Network Services, which provides Internet services to consumers and small businesses. With its acquisition of Genuity, Inc. in December 1997, GTE Internetworking now has 12 global data centers and a unique load balancing technology for Web hosting.

GTE Internetworking 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, managed Internet security, network management, systems integration, and Web-based application development for integrating the Internet into business operations. GTE Internetworking draws upon BBN's expertise in funded research and development of advanced technologies, including satellites, digital radio, multigigabit routers, security, and speech, and GTE's strong existing telecommunications services, including local and long distance, wireless, paging, video, and Internet.

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Internet Advantage is a service mark of GTE Internetworking Corporation.

JumpStart, Cisco, Cisco Systems, Cisco IOS 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 the document are the property of their respective owners.