Cable & Wireless HKT Chooses ARESCOM's New NetDSL 800 with Dual Interface ADSL to Upgrade its Digital Broadband Network Service

FREMONT, California, April 11, 2000 -- ARESCOM, Inc., a leading global provider of Internet and Broadband remote access solutions, announced today that Cable & Wireless HKT has chosen ARESCOM's new NetDSL 800 ADSL Modem/Bridge to further upgrade customers' broadband Internet services. This will augment CWHKT's current line of ARESCOM's modem and router solutions for its digital broadband network.

The order will bring the total value to US$20 million for ARESCOM modem and router units shipped to CWHKT.

Like ARESCOM's previous product solution, the NetATM25 Bridge, the NetDSL 800 series ADSL Modem/Bridge is also a stand-alone unit, for installation into each subscriber's home or office to receive Broadband Internet Service. In addition to easy Plug-and-Play capability and user-friendliness, the Dual Interface function also allows PPPoE to pass through on either Ethernet or USB Interface. This feature boasts compatibility for any computer with Ethernet or USB port, and is also transparent to many popular installed operating systems (OS) such as Windows, NT, Unix and Linux. The NetDSL 800 ADSL Modem/Bridge can also be remotely managed, monitored and configured by ARESCOM's industry acclaimed Windows-based Layer Two Remote Manager. The Remote Manager operates via pre-configured ATM PVC. With this cutting-edge remote management feature, Telcos, ISPs, and home users can drastically reduce overall customer maintenance costs.

A further benefit of the NetDSL 800 ADSL Modem/Bridge is its multi-mode chipset, which allows the user to choose from a whole range of line codes, covering G.Lite, G.DMT, T1.413 and CAP line codes. At this year's January Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, ARESCOM's NetDSL 800 ADSL Modem/Bridge also demonstrated widespread interoperability with numerous key DSLAM vendors. With a proven record of widespread ADSL interoperability, businesses and home users can confidently choose ARESCOM's ADSL modem and router solutions as the reliable Internet and broadband access technology of choice for the home and office of the 21st century.

ARESCOM continues to develop their full line of DSL modem and router product line that comes equipped with cutting-edge features at a very affordable price, giving ARESCOM a definitive advantage over their competitors and empowering the users with comprehensive DSL solutions for all their home and office needs.

About ARESCOM
ARESCOM, Inc., is a leading provider of cutting-edge Internet and remote broadband access solutions for telecommunication carriers, ISPs, and SOHO markets worldwide. ARESCOM designs, manufactures, and markets a complete line of high quality internetworking CPE router and modem equipment for the DSL, ISDN, POTS, HomeLAN, and Ethernet environments. The ARESCOM product line boasts a new family of DSL Routers which include ADSL/SDSL/IDSL digital broadband access routers, modems, as well as GUI-based remote network management software. Other company products include ISDN BRI access routers and ISDN BRI access fast Ethernet router. ARESCOM is dedicated to providing user-friendly, high-performance, and cost-effective Broadband and remote access solutions.

About Cable & Wireless HKT
Cable & Wireless HKT, a Cable & Wireless company, is Hong Kong's major full-service communications provider, marketing a full array of quality voice and data telecommunication services backed by a state-of-the-art, fully digital fiber-optic network. Services include basic telephony, mobile telephony, international calls, specialized fax and data products, value-added services, Internet access, multimedia services, satellite links and telecommunications equipment and systems.

The outstanding quality of Cable & Wireless HKT's services was recognized in the global award of "Most Competitive Local or National Carrier" conferred in the Financial Times Global Telecommunications Awards in October 1999. Additionally, in a survey conducted by CFO Asia in November 1999, Cable & Wireless HKT was named as the number one company in Asia based on the wealth it has created for shareholders.

Apart from owning and operating Asia's largest commercial teleport, Cable & Wireless HKT is a pioneer in a wide range of communications solutions, such as launching the world's first fully digitized urban network, the world's first fiber-optic cable linking China, and the world's first interactive television services.

With customers in 70 countries, Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with revenue of around £8 billion at the end of March 1999 and over 50,000 employees. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning broadband data and Internet services, fixed and mobile voice, as well as interactive entertainment and information. Cable & Wireless' priority for expansion is the fast growing market of data and IP (Internet Protocol) services for business customers. Since November 1998, it has announced major investments in advanced networks in the US and Europe, the restructuring of Cable & Wireless Communications in the UK and has acquired full control of Cable & Wireless IDC in Japan to support this strategy. Cable & Wireless now holds a unique position in terms of global coverage and services to business customers.

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