ICG Netcom First ICP to Develop IP Telephony Network Management Software

Business Wire, Sept 3, 1998

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 1998--

ICG Netcom Solves Network Management Issues Associated

With Convergence of Voice and Data

Breaking new ground for integrated communications providers (ICP), ICG Netcom today became the first ICP to develop an integrated software tool to support its nationwide IP Telephony network, which launched in 31 cities on Aug. 26.

This innovative software gives ICG Netcom the ability to view its entire network and monitor each component of service including voice gateways, routers, and switches, allowing ICG Netcom to manage the service at every level to ensure a quality customer experience.

"In the telecommunications industry, the companies that succeed are the ones who innovate and find competitive solutions," said J. Shelby Bryan, president and CEO of ICG. "This new management software helps ensure that our network will be one of the most reliable IP telephony networks in the industry."

ICG Netcom utilized portions of Micromuse, Inc.'s Netcool(TM) and Seagate Software, Inc.'s Seagate NerveCenter(TM) version 3.01 software to achieve the industry's most comprehensive network management software for its IP telephony network that will cover approximately 90 percent of the long-distance traffic in the nation by year-end.

"IP Telephony requires a new paradigm in network management strategy," said Eric W. Spivey, chairman and CEO of Netcom. "We've already conquered the challenge of providing high-quality, extremely affordable voice transmission over data lines. Now, this software allows us to meet and exceed customer expectations for service reliability and availability."

Working in conjunction with Seagate Software and Micromuse, ICG Netcom customized its software to give customers one of the most reliable and inexpensive IP telephony services available.

"No other IP Telephony provider has created a management solution of this kind that reduces the complexity of network management, while at the same time providing increased availability and network performance for their customers," said Michael Colemere, vice president, product management and business alliances, Seagate Software. "By filtering huge volumes of potentially problematic network messages, Seagate NerveCenter allows ICG Netcom to automatically resolve various network situations before they result in the disruption of network availability."

"ICG Netcom's network management software uniquely integrates Netcool(TM) to view and process the information Seagate NerveCenter(TM) provides," said Peter Shearan, Micromuse's senior vice president, technical services. "Netcool(TM) categorizes the data so that ICG Netcom can address issues by severity level, hardware device, and geographic location to ensure an appropriate and expeditious response. We are particularly pleased that Netcool(TM) is being used for the management of Voice-over IP, which reflects our strategic focus on the IP management market."

For more information about ICG Netcom's 5.9 cents per minute IP long-distance offering, please contact ICG Netcom at www.icgcomm.com or www.netcom.com/offer/ipld.>About ICG NETCOM

ICG NETCOM(TM), the brand name for products and services from ICG Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: ICGX) and ICG's subsidiary, NETCOM On-Line Communications Services, Inc., is a leading Integrated Communications Provider (ICP) offering high-quality telecommunications services. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., ICG offers extensive switched fiber-optic networks and provides local, long-distance and enhanced telephony and data services in California, Colorado, the Ohio Valley and parts of the southeastern United States. The company also provides Internet communication solutions, connectivity and Web site hosting to individuals and to small- and medium-size businesses through its subsidiary NETCOM On-Line Communication Services Inc. ICG is also a leading designer and installer of copper, fiber and wireless infrastructure for buildings and companies. Further information is available on ICG's web site at http://www.icgcomm.com.

About Micromuse, Inc.

Micromuse, Inc. (Nasdaq: MUSE) is the leading provider of service-level management software. The company's Netcool suite of applications is used by managed network service providers, Internet service providers, telecommunications firms, and mission-critical enterprises worldwide. Customers include AirTouch, America Online, AT&T Wireless, BT, Cellular One, Deutsche Telekom, General Electric Information Services, GlobalOne, GTE Internetworking, MindSpring Enterprises, Netcom, Pacific Bell, PSINet, UUNET Technologies, WorldCom, and a number of the world's most influential financial investment concerns. Headquarters are located at 139 Townsend Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94107; 415/538-9090. The company also has offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The Web site is located at http://www.micromuse.com.

CONTACT: ICG Netcom

Laura Crowley

Public Relations

408/881-3213

laura.crowley@corp.netcom.com