Network Plus, MIT Enter Into 20-Year Fiber Agreement; Allows Network Plus to Complete OC-48 SONET Ring

Business Wire, Nov 15, 1999

QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999--

Network Plus Corp (NASDAQ:NPLS) has announced the signing of a twenty-year license agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to run cable through a portion of a conduit facility on that campus which will inter-link two Bell Atlantic conduit systems. In return, Network Plus will supply MIT with eight of its dark fibers from Boston, Massachusetts into the campus and another eight dark fibers connecting MIT with a neighboring university for educational knowledge transfer.

The agreement allows Network Plus to complete a fiber ring from Boston to Cambridge of eight miles. "This is significant to the business strategy of Network Plus since this completes our OC-48 SONET ring tying three additional co-locations into our Cambridge switch," commented Joseph Haines, Senior Vice President of Operations of Network Plus and one of the principal authors of the agreement.

"We're pleased with the arrangement as it will provide the Institute with future flexibility for extending our voice and data networks to off campus locations," said Professor James D. Bruce, Vice President for Information Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Initially, MIT will utilize the fibers for connection to the Northern CrossRoads GigaPOP in downtown Boston."

Robert Hale, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Network Plus, added, "We are pleased that MIT, a technology-intensive institution, has entrusted a piece of their data business to our company and look forward to supporting them in this endeavor."

About Network Plus:

Network Plus is a network-based integrated communications provider headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Network Plus offers broadband data and telecommunications services, primarily to small and medium-sized business customers located in major markets in the Northeastern and Southeastern regions of the United States. The company's bundled product offerings include local and long distance services as well as enhanced, high-speed data and Internet services, primarily utilizing digital subscriber line, or DSL, technology.

Safe Harbor Provision

Statements in this news release about the expansion of Network Plus' telecommunications services, and its agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be considered forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company's current expectations, hopes, beliefs and estimates. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Further information about the factors that could affect Network Plus' performance are contained in the company's prospectus dated June 24, 1999 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.