Ursus Telecom Builds E-Business Platform With IBM RS/6000

Business Wire, June 18, 1999

SOMERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 1999--

IBM announced today that Ursus Telecom (Nasdaq: UTCC) has selected IBM RS/6000(1) systems to provide the infrastructure supporting its e-business initiative, "thestream.com,(2)" which will go live on the Web this summer.

IBM RS/6000 Web, application, and database servers and software are the core platform for Ursus Telecom's aggressive e-business initiative that will allow subscribers from around the world to enjoy a rich, Internet-based multi-dimensional experience. Global telecom users will be able to purchase the full array of Ursus Telecom services on-line and in real time.

"We intend thestream.com to be the leading communications portal on the Internet, a one-stop e-commerce shop for global telecommunications services," stated Jeffrey Chaskin, President of Ursus Telecom. "This is a real-time fulfillment environment, where you purchase, provision, use and enjoy, right here and right now. We researched all of the possibilities, and only IBM met our needs for this project. They were right there, right now, with the power, interest and desire to make thestream.com a reality."

"IBM has the scalability and reliability that will allow us to offer our customers leading-edge communications technologies such as our unique browser-enabled Voice-Over-IP (VOIP), and instant online provisioning, billing and customer care for our full plate of telecom services," said Jay Chavez, Director of Web Based Services for Ursus. "With thestream.com sized to process 10 million hits per day, we needed not only a reliable platform, but also the expertise and support of a technology partner whose in-house support and staff were ready and willing to get us online quickly. Because of IBM, we are ahead of schedule and will unveil the site this summer."

"RS/6000 servers running AIX(1) provide an ideal platform for doing business on the Web," said Rod Adkins, general manager, IBM RS/6000. "Reliability, availability and security are absolutely integral for Internet-based businesses like Ursus. From supercomputers to Internet technologies, IBM RS/6000 offers a superior arsenal of scalable hardware and software solutions that eliminate guesswork and enable rapid business growth."

About Ursus Telecom

Ursus Telecom Corporation, is a global facilities-based telecommunications company that provides international services, including long distance, direct-dial, value-added and Internet-based services to more than 95,000 customers -- individuals, businesses and carriers -- worldwide. The company operates directly and through a network of agents on five continents and over 45 countries that account for more than 80% of the world's international traffic. Ursus Telecom operates domestic switching facilities in Paris, Moscow, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lima, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg and Tokyo.

For more information, visit Ursus Telecom at www.ursustel.net.

About IBM RS/6000

More than 850,000 IBM RS/6000 systems have been shipped to over 125,000 commercial and technical customers around the world. The RS/6000 family of computers feature IBM RISC-based microprocessors and run the AIX, IBM's UNIX(3) operating system. RS/6000 products range in size and capacity from workstations, workgroup and enterprise servers, to the RS/6000 SP supercomputer. From businesses deploying advanced technologies to become more efficient and profitable, to governments and universities seeking to solve the grand challenge problems of our time, RS/6000 computers support a wide range of applications and provide the reliability, availability and price/performance that today's information technology managers demand.

(1) Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International

Business Machines Corporation. (2) Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Ursus Telecom

Corporation. (3) UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.

For more information about RS/6000 systems and the AIX operating system, see the RS/6000 home page at http://www.rs6000.ibm.com.