Ericsson selected by ITC^DeltaCom to boost backbone bandwidth

Ericsson selected by ITC^DeltaCom to boost backbone bandwidth - ERION Linear DWDM system will increase capacity of network by approximately 128 times Ericsson announced today that is has entered into a business relationship with ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS: ITCD), an integrated telecommunications provider in the southern United States. Using its ERION Linear system, Ericsson will work with ITC^DeltaCom to address the management of the company's rapidly growing bandwidth requirements and accommodate future capacity demands. ERION Linear is based on (Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing System) DWDM technology. DWDM enables carriers to equip the same fiber with far more capacity by splitting light into wavelength components, each acting as an individual channel. The ERION Linear addition will span six major cities in Texas, and will initially run Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) traffic over DWDM. Ericsson's flexible and scalable network system will support later migration of this traffic to IP and ATM over DWDM as ITC^DeltaCom's needs evolve. When fully deployed, the system will increase bandwidth capacity within the network by approximately 128 times. "ITC^DeltaCom has proven itself as an established leader in the southern United States with an extensive fiber optic network and bundled telecommunications services for business," said Barry Borzillo, Vice President of Ericsson Network Operator's group. "We are thrilled to work with ITC^DeltaCom to help take their network to the next level." "We were extremely impressed with the flexibility and ease of implementation of the Ericsson ERION Linear product," said Steve Moses, Senior Vice President of Network Services for ITC^DeltaCom. "Ericsson's high-quality network actually lowers our total cost of operations while allowing significant scalability benefits to our current network capacity. Teaming with Ericsson provides the combination of quality and ease of use essential to our commitment to provide the highest level of service while ensuring lower overall voice and data services costs to our customers." Ericsson offers a full range of transport network solutions for established and new network operators. More than 500 ERION systems are installed throughout the world for applications including IP, CATV, Gigabit Ethernet and SDH/SONET. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of Mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Kathy Egan, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Corporate Communications Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Gary Pinkham, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Investor Relations Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: gary.pinkham@ericsson.com About ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. ITC^DeltaCom, headquartered in West Point, Georgia, provides integrated telecommunications services to mid-sized and major businesses in the southern United States and is a leading regional provider of wholesale long-haul services to other communications companies. ITC^DeltaCom's business communication services include local exchange service, long distance, enhanced data, Internet and operator services, and the sale and maintenance of customer premise equipment. The Company operates 34 branch locations in eight states and its 10-state, approximately 8,320-mile fiber optic network, reaches over 100 points of presence. ITC^DeltaCom has interconnection agreements with BellSouth, GTE, Sprint and SBC Communications for resale and access to unbundled network elements, and is a certified Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) in Arkansas, Texas and all nine BellSouth states. Additionally, ITC^DeltaCom offers collocation, web hosting, and managed services through e^deltacom, a division of ITC^DeltaCom. For additional information about ITC^DeltaCom, please visit http://www.itcdeltacom.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/07/20000607BIT01180/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/07/20000607BIT01180/bit0002.pdf