Gateway Networks Names Sun Microsystems and iPlanet as Platform of Choice for Its North American Network - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, May 22, 2000

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) and Gateway Networks, an independent Multi-Service Carrier Network (MSCN) across North America, Wednesday announced that Sun has been selected as the exclusive platform of choice for Gateway's network. Gateway will acquire initial hardware, software and services valued at $7 million Canadian ($4.7 million U.S.) from Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. and iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance. Gateway Telephone, parent company of Gateway Networks and a leading Canadian telecommunications provider, also announced Wednesday it has signed a Sun Service Provider Executive Level Agreement with Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc.

Sun Enterprise servers and Sun StorEdge storage systems running the robust and scalable Solaris Operating Environment will power the network computing architecture of Gateway Networks' MSCN. Gateway Networks will implement Sun's leading edge technology throughout its infrastructure to deliver its wholesale Internet Service Provider (ISP) and hosting services for carriers across North America.

iPlanet will provide the server software solutions to be deployed on the Sun systems. The software products will consist of iPlanet Messaging Server, iPlanet Directory Server, iPlanet Web Server and iPlanet Application Server. Together, the iPlanet products provide a robust, scalable and high-performance infrastructure solution for Service Providers and enterprise e-commerce deployments.

Sun Enterprise Services will provide Systems Implementation Services and 7x24 support for the Sun network computing infrastructure of Gateway's network configuration.

"We are building a state-of-the-art network from the ground up, and Sun Microsystems is a key component of our strategy," said Jim Blumsom, President and CEO of Gateway Networks. "We now have the technology infrastructure in place to offer our customers multiple services. By investing in the technologies of industry leaders, such as Sun Microsystems and iPlanet, Gateway Networks is positioned to quickly take the lead as the 'carrier's carrier' in the North American telecommunications market."

"Sun Microsystems welcomes Gateway into its growing ranks of Service Providers," remarked Michael Walsh, Director of Marketing, Computer Systems, Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. "By taking advantage of our highly available and scalable Sun Enterprise servers, Gateway will now have the key technologies in place to expand and manage its network as both its customers and their requirements grow. Gateway and its strategy moving forward clearly illustrate the power and potential of our vision and the Service Driven Network."

"iPlanet's proven e-commerce software infrastructure lets Gateway deliver world class services to millions of customers in record time," said Wes Wasson, Vice President of Product Marketing at iPlanet. "The combined Gateway/Sun/iPlanet offering represents a formidable addition to the ISP and hosted services market, and we are very pleased to be included in this winning lineup."

Gateway Networks also will develop e-commerce applications using Sun's Java technology to enhance its service offerings for its ISP, Application Service Provider and carrier customers in Canada and the United States.

Gateway Networks offers all carriers, including competitive local exchange carriers (CLECS) and ISPs, a full range of point-to-fibre wholesale Internet, Signaling System Seven (SS7) and long-distance voice services in and between Canada and the U.S. Gateway's network services will be operational by the end of 2000, with the fibre network completed in 2001, giving the company points-of-presence in 21 cities and a 4000-km network across North America.

Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc., is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, with branch offices in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Sun products and services also are available through Independent Sales Offices in St. John's, Saint John, Halifax, Quebec City, Calgary, Montreal, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, as well as through Authorized Resellers across Canada.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and the power of the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $14 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance, was established in March 1999 by America Online, Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. to provide easy-to-deploy, comprehensive e-commerce solutions for the Net Economy. iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions provides the industry's broadest portfolio of Internet infrastructure and e-commerce applications software and services. Its iPlanet Messaging, Directory, Web and Application Server software all enjoy #1 market share positions. For more information, consult the iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions Web site at www.iplanet.com.