Ascend Communications, Inc. and Cascade Communications Corp. receive request for additional information from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

Business Wire, May 15, 1997

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1997--Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND) and Cascade Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CSCC) today announced that they have received a request from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for additional information in connection with their previously announced plan to combine the two companies. This "second request" extends the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, during which the DOJ is permitted to review the transaction, until 20 calendar days after the parties have complied substantially with the information request. Ascend and Cascade intend to comply with the request promptly.

Ascend Communications, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of remote networking solutions for corporate central sites, Internet service providers' points of presence, remote offices, mobile workers and telecommuters. Ascend develops, manufactures, markets, sells and supports products which utilize bandwidth on demand to extend existing corporate networks for applications such as remote LAN access, Internet access, telecommuting, SOHO connectivity and videoconferencing/multimedia access. For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Company's web site at http://www.ascend.com, or email info@ascend.com .

Cascade Communications Corp. is at the forefront of broadband data communications with its family of scaleable, carrier class Frame Relay, ATM and IP switching products. Used by public carriers and Internet service providers worldwide, Cascade products are forming the foundation of the public network infrastructure for global communications. Cascade is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, USA, with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. For more information about Cascade and its products please visit Cascade's web site at http://www.casc.com .

CONTACT: Ascend Communications, Inc.

Bob Dahl, 510/769-6001 ext. 2309

Paula Cook, 510/769-6001 ext. 2345

or

Cascade Communications Corp.

Paul E. Blondin, 508/692-2600

Suzanne M. DuLong, 508/952-1552