ReFlex Communications Selects Alcatel to Deliver Broadband Internet Services and Applications to Apartment and Condo Communities

Business Wire, Oct 9, 2000

Business Editors and High Tech and Real Estate Writers

SEATTLE & CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2000

Alcatel and ReFlex Communications Inc., a leading provider of digital broadband Internet services to residents and managers of apartment and condominium communities, today announced that ReFlex Communications will incorporate over 200 of Alcatel's OmniSwitch and OmniAccess 408 switching platforms into its high-capacity customer network.

Alcatel will provide the key infrastructure to allow ReFlex Communications to easily offer business-quality broadband services such as Internet connectivity and voice/video/data services to residential clients in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) throughout the United States.

Alcatel's OmniSwitch and OmniAccess 408 solutions will provide ReFlex Communications with the flexibility and convergence technologies it needs to offer increased next-generation applications over the Internet at varying capacities and at specified Quality of Service levels.

"Broadband and convergence has provided us with new opportunities for offering our customers increased services," said Dennis Muse, ReFlex Communications, chief executive officer. "We needed a technology partner with the products that could help our business grow. Alcatel's OmniSwitch and OmniAccess 408 products allow us to deliver next-generation IP-based applications on demand and with unlimited scalability."

"ReFlex Communications is an outstanding example of a company leveraging convergence and broadband in order to provide new services using the ASP model," said Joelle Gauthier, Alcatel vice president, enterprise marketing. "We look forward to providing them with all of the products and services they need to succeed in the era of convergence and advanced Internet applications."

A typical network

A typical market for ReFlex Communications consists of dual Alcatel OmniSwitches with ATM at the core to provide carrier-class QoS and connectivity to the Internet. Alcatel's OmniSwitches are also used at hub sites where the traffic from several buildings is aggregated and connected via ATM to the core. Within the building ReFlex Communications uses xDSL and other high-speed technologies to connect users to the network.

Alcatel's Omni Access 408 and/or OmniSwitch products in the MDU perform the segmentation and re-assembly function of translating Ethernet frames from the DSLAM into ATM traffic and forwarding it upstream to the hub site for further aggregation. This design offers superior performance because there is only one router hop between the individual subscriber and the Internet. It also provides for flexibility, expansion and carrier-class QoS for current and future broadband applications.

Since 1998, ReFlex Communications has been using its local telephone company bypass network technologies to offer cost-attractive, business-quality broadband services to residential customers living in multi-dwelling housing units who are unable to access high-speed fiber optic lines due to location or economic restraints.

Alcatel's OmniAccess 408

Alcatel's OmniAccess 408 is an eight-port 10/100 switch with 2 ports of circuit emulation and one of three ATM uplink options (4 ports of T1 with IMA, 2 Ports DS3 or 1 Port OC3) that offers scalable, multi-service access to an ATM backbone. With the integration of LAN switching, WAN routing, voice over ATM, and service level management capabilities in a single platform, the OmniAccess 408 is the ideal next generation multi-service access solution.

Alcatel's OmniSwitch

Alcatel's OmniSwitch is an advanced, multi-layer switching platform providing integrated LAN and ATM switching, WAN connectivity, high-speed routing, virtual LANs, and IP firewalls. Designed for scalability and performance, network managers can buy the capabilities they need in the OmniSwitch and migrate to next-generation technologies when they are ready.

About ReFlex Communications Inc.

ReFlex Communications Inc., based in Seattle, is a leading provider of high-speed broadband Internet services to residents of apartment and condominium communities throughout the United States.

The company currently has offices and is providing Internet service and support to customers in markets including Seattle, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Portland, Atlanta, San Jose, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Chicago, Washington D.C., Orlando and Dallas.

Its advanced hybrid fixed wireless/fiber optic network "ReFlexNet(SM)" allows the company to connect directly from the resident's premises into a high-speed fiber-optic backbone, bypassing local Internet choke points. Service features include symmetrical broadband Internet access, e-mail accounts, personal Web page hosting, back-up services, professional installation, and help-desk support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For additional information on ReFlex Communications, go to http://www.reflexcomm.com.

About Alcatel

Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 120,000 employees and sales of EURO 23 billion in 1999, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http//www.alcatel.com