NEXTLINK Communications Teams With Microsoft and Westbank Projects to Create State-of-the-Art ``Smart`` Commercial Property Development

Business Wire, July 8, 1999

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1999--

NEXTLINK Communications (Nasdaq:NXLK), one of the nation's fastest-growing broadband telecommunications providers, announced today that it will team with Westbank Projects Corporation of Vancouver B.C. and Microsoft to create a state-of-the art technology environment in the Lincoln Square development in downtown Bellevue.

In this "smart" community, NEXTLINK will carry Microsoft's most advanced, commercially available technology throughout the Lincoln Square complex on its high speed, broadband wireless Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS), and its fiber-optic broadband networks. NEXTLINK will also design the intra-building, broadband infrastructure and operate the voice, data and video devices required to serve the commercial office, retail, hotel and residential tenants of the property.

The Lincoln Square project will be a futuristic multi-use development, which will include the most advanced telecommunications and computer technology available to date. Planned technological features of Lincoln Square will include "smart" residential units that incorporate personal recognition software for apartment residents and Westin Hotel guests throughout the complex. The hotel will utilize the latest advances in communication technology and design, allowing guests to experience the ultimate personalization, integration and recognition services, delivered via the broadband infrastructure. Guest rooms will feature an integrated "information appliance," serving as a central access point for all types of entertainment, voice, data and video streaming services. Additional features will include online access to hotel amenities, high speed internet access and video capability from all hotel rooms and condominium residences, and high speed connectivity between the various component parts of the Lincoln Square complex.

"Lincoln Square will be a significant addition to downtown Bellevue, and a unique technology showcase," said Steve Nielsen, Vice President and General Manager of NEXTLINK Washington. "We look forward to working with Microsoft and Westbank to create this next-generation environment that will bring the most advanced Internet protocol-centric telecommunications and technology to the residents of Washington."

"We believe NEXTLINK is quickly becoming the leader in its business and the infrastructure being designed for Lincoln Square clearly sets us apart from all others," said Ian Gillespie, President of Westbank Projects Corp., a member of Lincoln Square, LLC. "We are thrilled that NEXTLINK has joined forces with Microsoft to make Lincoln Square truly the most technologically advanced mixed-use project in the United States. The aim is to provide its various components with a seamless environment and a significant competitive advantage. Office tenants will be locating in something that is not only future proof but also has an unprecedented number of amenities."

"By collaborating with NEXTLINK and Westbank, Microsoft is helping to enable an exciting range of new services for the homes and businesses of Lincoln Square," said Navin Chaddha, Director, Network Solutions Group, Microsoft. "This development makes the Web Lifestyle a reality for end-users in the Connected Community of Lincoln Square -- providing them with a rich environment for communications, entertainment, information and commerce, all enabled by Microsoft platforms."

NEXTLINK will also locate a sales office and switching facility within the Lincoln Square complex.

Lincoln Square will be located on the southeast corner of Northeast 8th and Bellevue Way, across from Bellevue Square and adjacent to the new Bellevue Art Museum. The mixed-use Lincoln Square complex will include a 27-floor office tower, 192 residential units above a 303-room Westin Hotel, 180,000 square feet of retail space, five restaurants, an athletic club, an 18-screen AMC Megaplex theater and an underground garage for over 2,200 vehicles.

Lincoln Square is developed and owned by Lincoln Square, LLC, a partnership of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Westbank Investments (USA) Inc., part of the Westbank Group of Companies of Vancouver, B.C.

Telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw founded NEXTLINK in 1994 to deliver next-generation communications services to businesses over fiber optic facilities. The Company currently provides these services in 40 markets across the United States. NEXTLINK is the largest holder of fixed wireless spectrum in North America, with licenses covering 95 percent of the population in the top 30 markets in the United States. NEXTLINK's wireless capabilities will extend the reach of the company's local fiber optic networks. Additionally, NEXTLINK has acquired exclusive rights to a 16,000 mile high-speed, IP-centric fiber optic backbone network that will connect over 50 cities in the United States and Canada. The backbone network is being completed in segments, with beginning in the later half of this year with completion expected by the end of 2001. Through this unrivaled collection of facilities, NEXTLINK will provide integrated, end-to-end telecommunications solutions to its customers. NEXTLINK is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash.