Penn Telecom Selects Integral Access’ PurePacketä Solution to Deliver Enhanced Service Offerings to Business Customers

CHELMSFORD, MA – JANUARY 24, 2005 - Integral Access, Inc., the leading provider of packet-based access networks, today announced that Penn Telecom, an integrated communications carrier based in Pittsburgh, Penn., has selected the PurePacket system to expand its business service offerings. Integral Access’ PurePacket will enable Penn Telecom to offer a comprehensive set of competitively priced integrated communications services -- including local, long distance, hosted PBX, IP telephony (VoIP), high-speed Internet access and virtual private networks -- to small to medium-size business customers in its markets.

Penn Telecom selected the PurePacket system for its strong operational efficiencies and the additional flexibility in offering both traditional and advanced IP services over a common packet-based architecture. PurePacket’s dynamic bandwidth allocation capabilities also provide Penn Telecom with service differentiation over traditional TDM-based service offerings.

“ We are excited to begin using the PurePacket system to offer traditional and enhanced packet based services, “ said Al Weigand, vice president for operations at Penn Telecom. “PurePacket is a true next-generation platform that will allow us to differentiate ourselves, grow and remain competitive for the foreseeable future.”

The PurePacket system is an intelligent IP-based access solution that allows carriers to deliver a comprehensive set of converged services over a single, multi-purpose network regardless of the last mile link available for reaching customers. To maximize the traffic carrying capacity of networks and increase revenue opportunities for carriers, PurePacket uses a label-switched architecture to route, transport and switch voice, video, and data transmissions in packet format. PurePacket facilitates the migration to an all-IP architecture by offering simultaneous support for domestic and international circuit-switch networks, global VoIP softswitch based architectures as an access gateway and next-generation broadband loop carrier.

“ We are pleased that Penn Telecom has selected us for their network expansion,” said Jack Cicon, CEO and president of Integral Access. “As the market continues to grow, we expect to see even more service providers such as Penn Telecom expand their businesses by delivering new services based on PurePacket technology.”

About Penn Telecom Inc.
Penn Telecom, based in Cranberry Township, Penn., is a subsidiary of Gibsonia, Penn.-based North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. Penn Telecom has been providing a full range of telecommunications services to Pittsburgh and the surrounding area since 1979, and today offers local dial tone, long distance, broadband services, business phone systems and carrier hotel services. The company's growing roster of clients includes the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, KDKA radio and TV. More information is available at www.penntele.com.

With assets over $151 million, North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. operates an integrated high-technology telecommunications business in Western Pennsylvania, providing competitive and local exchange services, long distance, business phone systems, and Internet services through its subsidiaries, North Pittsburgh Telephone Company, Penn Telecom, Inc., and Nauticom Internet Services. The Company serves approximately 72,900 access lines in its franchised local exchange territory and 58,700 access line equivalents in its competitive local exchange carrier edge-out markets.

About Integral Access
Integral Access, Inc. provides a carrier-class, IP based multi-service access platform for delivery of converged voice and data. It is the only packet-based access platform to utilize a label switching architecture to enable carriers to offer differentiated services and combine voice/data on next generation IP-based networks, as well as traditional circuit switched and ATM infrastructures. The company offers a complete access platform, which includes central office, campus, and in-building aggregation platforms; line access gateway, customer premises equipment; and an object-oriented operations management system for network control and services management. Integral Access is headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, and is privately held. To contact Integral Access call +1-978-256-8833, visit us on the web at www.integralaccess.com

PurePacket, Integral Access, and the Integral Access logo are registered trademarks of Integral Access, Inc. All rights reserved. All other names are -trademarks of their respective companies.

Integral Access Contact:

Guy Chenard
Vice President of Marketing & Business Development
978-367-7510

gchenard@integralaccess.com