ASCEND MOVES TO STANDARDIZE ISDN ACCESS WITH MP+

Ascend Takes Steps to Standardize High-Speed ISDN Access

Alameda, Calif., August 28, 1995 -- Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ASND) today announced that it will license its MP+ (Multilink Protocol
Plus) ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) channel management
specification on a no-fee basis to other manufacturers of remote access
equipment. MP+ adds transparent bandwidth-on-demand capabilities to MP
(Multichannel Protocol), the Internet standard inverse multiplexing or
channel bonding protocol, specified in RFC 1717.

Ascend's action has received Internet community support from leading
Internet service providers, carriers, equipment manufacturers and end
users. Numerous industry leaders, including AT&T, PSInet, Tandem, UUNET
and Xircom, have endorsed Ascend's action.

With MP+, non-Ascend remote access equipment users can take advantage of
sophisticated bandwidth-on-demand features previously available only to
users of Ascend equipment. Included in all Ascend equipment since 1993,
MP+ is now offered by over 200 separate Internet service providers at some
1,500 POPs (Points-of-Presence) worldwide, collectively handling over 1.5
million calls per day.

"Standard MP by itself doesn't provide the dial-up bandwidth control needed
by Internet service providers and corporate communications managers," said
Bernie Schneider, vice president of marketing for Ascend. "Ascend's MP+
adds that control through a low-overhead communications channel that
allows end points to exchange telephone numbers and inform each other of
current bandwidth requirements and channel availability. With MP+, all
bandwidth management is transparent to the end user. The full bandwidth
potential of an ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line can be realized
without user intervention."

"Ascend's move creates one of those rare no-lose scenarios in the
industry," said industry analyst Daniel Briere, president of TeleChoice,
Verona, NJ. "The MP+ availability clearly is a win/win/win situation for
the providers, vendors, and most importantly, the end users," he said.
"End users can get automatic bandwidth on demand; vendors get a key call
establishment, management and authentication mechanism that is compatible
with the predominant infrastructure for accessing the Internet; and
Internet service providers and carriers get a means towards better
utilization of their existing networks. And it's free."

For more information on MP+, interested parties can write to:
OEM Licensing Manager,
Ascend Communications,
1275 Harbor Bay Parkway,
Alameda, CA 94502.
 
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