BTI SELECTS TOLLBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES AS GATEWAY PARTNER FOR DELIVERY OF VoDSL SERVICE
Raleigh, N.C. (July 5, 2000) - BTI, a leading facilities-based integrated communications provider (ICP) of broadband, Internet and telephony services, has announced a partnership with TollBridge Technologies that will enable BTI to provide voice over digital subscriber line (VoDSL) services. VoDSL technology transmits voice and data simultaneously over traditional copper wire telephone lines, reducing the number of lines needed by a customer. BTI is the first company in Raleigh, N.C. to provide this cost-effective solution to their customers. BTI has partnered with TollBridge Technologies to deploy the TB200 platform to perform an essential VoDSL gateway function. The TB200 is an industry leading carrier class platform that translates information between BTI's Lucent Technologies 5ESS 2000 local switch and BTI's high-speed Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network. The gateway enables the delivery of voice and data as Internet Protocol (IP) telephony over broadband networks. "BTI selected TollBridge Technologies as our VoDSL partner due to their industry leading gateway architecture, affording BTI the opportunity to expand our broadband services offering," said Butch Charlton, executive vice president and chief technology officer of BTI. "Features such as virtual circuit aggregation coupled with the excellent support provided by TollBridge during our trials convinced us that TollBridge was the right choice for BTI." "BTI is in a very unique position," said Gary Tauss, CEO of TollBridge Technologies. "BTI is a full-service Internet service provider (ISP), competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and long distance company with a robust fiber optic network and data switches deployed throughout. By adding the TollBridge solution, BTI has a competitive advantage." About BTI BTI (http://www.btitele.com) is a facilities-based integrated communications provider (ICP) serving primarily small and medium-sized business customers in the southeastern United States since 1983. The Company offers a full suite of integrated retail services to business customers, including local, long distance, data solutions, Internet access, frame relay, paging, Web design and hosting and other enhanced services. The Company also offers wholesale services, including switched, private line, special access and prepaid calling card services to other telecommunications carriers and end-user customers. BTI has five Alcatel USA 600E digital long distance switches in Raleigh, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, and New York. BTI has also successfully deployed 12 Lucent 5E 2000 local switches throughout the Southeast. BTI's fiber network covers approximately 3,800 route miles across the eastern United States with an additional 600 miles currently under construction. About TollBridge Technologies Founded in March 1998 and located in Santa Clara, Calif., TollBridge Technologies (http://www.tollbridgetech.com) is the leading provider of voice-over-broadband solutions to a new generation of carriers. TollBridge solutions change the economics of delivering voice services by allowing carriers that own Class 5 switches to use broadband access technologies, such as DSL or cable, to bypass the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and deliver toll-quality voice and integrated data services. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release regarding planned financial transactions and other events are forward-looking statements, subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to the Company's negative cash flow after capital expenditures, significant capital requirements, the restrictive covenants under its debt instruments, ability to manage growth and expansion (including into the local services market), regulation, competition and dependence on key personnel. These and other applicable risks are summarized in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-8310) filed with the SEC on July 16, 1999. hotel rooms BilbaoTollBridge and TollVoiceTM are trademarks of TollBridge Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. | 
