Agilent Technologies' Network Monitoring System Selected by Citizens Communications

Business Wire, June 12, 2000

Business Editors & High-tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2000

Agilent acceSS7 System Will Help Improve Network Quality

and Reliability and Detect Fraud as It Takes Place

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announces that Citizens Communications, one of the fastest growing telecommunications providers in the United States, has selected the Agilent acceSS7 Surveillance and Troubleshooting, Business Intelligence and Fraud Management applications for use throughout its multi-state network.

"We believe that the acceSS7 system can help Citizens assure that our customers have an efficient and secured network available to them when they need it," said Dean Hudson, vice president, network planning and engineering for Citizens Communications. "Moreover, the system will help the company reduce costs and improve overall operational efficiency. As we continue to rapidly add new customers and deploy new services, the system will also provide a rich source of data to help us maximize revenues and profits."

About acceSS7

Agilent acceSS7 collects and analyzes SS7 messages flowing on an SS7 network to provide network operators with insights to dramatically improve the efficiency of their network, boost profitability and increase customer satisfaction. The system is deployed by many of the world's leading wireline and wireless operators. Information about acceSS7 can be found on the Web at www.access7.com.

About Citizens Communications

Citizens Communications (NYSE:CZN) is a full-service telecommunications provider committed to bringing the information age to its 1 million rural and suburban customers in 13 states. Citizens Communications is acquiring approximately 925,000 telephone lines over the next 12 months and is in the process of divesting its natural gas, electric, water and wastewater treatment services. Citizens also has an 82 percent stake in Electric Lightwave, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELIX).

Additional information about Citizens Communications is available on at www.citizenscommunications.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With approximately 43,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. In fiscal year 1999, the businesses comprising Agilent, then a subsidiary of HP, had net revenue of more than $8.3 billion.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.