Frontier Communications Allies with Netopia for DSL `Plug&Play' Business Solutions; Customer Premise Equipment Supplier is Critical Piece in Frontier's National DSL Rollout - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Sept 27, 1999

Frontier Communications Wednesday announced it has selected California-based Netopia, Inc. as its preferred provider of Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), high-speed Internet access.

By leveraging Netopia's `Plug&Play' equipment, Frontier DSL customers can benefit from "always-on" Internet access at speeds up to 1.5 Mbps right from their desktops. `Plug&Play' refers to the ease with which this leading-edge DSL technology is installed. Once a business customer places an order for DSL with Frontier, a customized equipment solution is developed. The CPE is then sent overnight to the customer who simply `Plugs' it into their respective system, which is ready to `Play.'

"This partnership with Netopia is an integral part of Frontier's national DSL rollout," said Frontier's President of Business Services Donna Reeves. "DSL will provide our customers with an economical, seamless, high-speed connection from our state-of-the-art Internet Protocal (IP) network directly to their desktops. Frontier now provides it all - the access, the network and the high-bandwidth IP applications our customers will rely on to grow their businesses now and well into the future."

DSL technology provides the two-way symmetric bandwidth needed for services such as Internet telephony, intranets, extranets, virtual private networks, e-mail, electronic commerce and Web hosting. This permanent, "always on" connection bypasses network congestion and eliminates the redundant access charges incurred by handing off traffic to other carriers. It is ideally suited for small office/home office customers, those with multiple branch offices and businessess with a growing telecommuter workforce. When combined with the IP capabilities of Frontier's network, DSL will speed the development and delivery of cutting-edge applications such as unified messaging services.

Frontier has amassed one of the largest service footprints in the industry, offering integrated local, long distance and data services to approximately 70 percent of the U.S. business population. Frontier resells local service in 32 states and the District of Columbia, and uses its own facilities to offer integrated local/data/long distance service in 23 major metropolitan markets across the country.

Netopia, Inc. is a market leader in providing small, growing organizations with an Internet presence, including high-speed DSL connectivity solutions and new generation web site services. Netopia strives to develop products that can be used by anyone regardless of their technical background or access to technical support. With Netopia's innovative Internet/Intranet solutions, users at any size company can apply online communication and collaboration to increase productivity and sales.

Frontier Communications, a unit of Frontier Corporation (NYSE:FRO), is a leading Internet Protocol (IP) applications and communications services provider. Frontier recently agreed to merge with Global Crossing Ltd. (NASDAQ:GBLX). The combined company will own and operate the first seamless global IP network with more than 88,100 ultra-high bandwidth route miles connecting 170 major cities in 24 countries. For more information, visit www.frontiercorp.com