Strategic Partnership between NxGen Networks and Touch America Boosts Competitive Advantage in Global Voice Traffic

The partnership between NxGen Networks, Inc. and Touch America, a subsidiary of the Montana Power Company, will enable both companies to compete more effectively in the origination and termination of global voice traffic by combining leading-edge switching and optical transport technologies. Through this strategic relationship, NxGen Networks will gain access to Touch America's high-speed, fiber-optic network, allowing it to carry traffic for its customers to and from domestic and international locations. In return, Touch America will benefit from reduced termination costs by utilizing NxGen's state-of-the-art gateway switches. This partnership also presents opportunities for Touch America to provide additional broadband capacity to NxGen for both voice transport and IP requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• NxGen Networks and Touch America have formed a strategic partnership to enhance their competitive advantage in global voice traffic origination and termination.
• The partnership will combine leading-edge switching and optical transport technologies to provide customers with speed, security, reliability, and national reach.
• Touch America will provide NxGen Networks with access to its high-speed, fiber-optic network for domestic and international traffic.
• NxGen Networks will offer reduced termination costs to Touch America by utilizing its state-of-the-art gateway switches.
• This partnership also presents opportunities for Touch America to provide additional broadband capacity to NxGen for voice transport and IP requirements.
• The combined strengths of both companies will enable them to economically and rapidly scale their networks to meet expanding customer needs.
• The partnership will enable next-generation applications and services for customers by bringing together industry-leading network technology.
• The combined solution will improve customers' financial performance and lower their costs while providing one of the industry's most secure and highly scalable solutions.

Statistics:

• NxGen Networks' high-speed, fiber-optic network will provide a 14,000-mile operating digital fiber-optic network with the potential to reach 26,000 miles by yearend 2001 (Touch America).
• The partnership will enable NxGen Networks to carry traffic for its customers to and from domestic and international locations through Touch America's high-speed, fiber-optic network.
• NxGen Networks will offer state-of-the-art gateway switches to Touch America, reducing its termination costs.
• The combined solution will provide customers with enhanced offerings, including speed, security, reliability, and national reach.

Sources:

• NxGen Networks, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NXNW)
• Touch America, a subsidiary of the Montana Power Company (NYSE: MTP)
• Touch America website: www.tamerica.com or www.mtpower.com
• NxGen Networks website: www.nxgennet.com