HickoryTech Deploys Integral Access PurePacket Platform in Real-World Test Environment

PurePacketTM Generates More Revenue From Existing Infrastructure; Provides Small Businesses with Enhanced Voice/Broadband Data Services

WASHINGTON - Jan. 29, 2001 - Integral Access, Inc. -- -- the intelligent MPLS access company -- today announced that HickoryTech, a diversified communications services company with operations in Minnesota and Iowa, has begun deploying the PurePacket platform in a real-world test environment. HickoryTech is using PurePacket to deliver integrated voice and broadband data services over a single DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) link to small business customers in Mankato, Minnesota. The IP-based PurePacket system enables HickoryTech to extract additional revenues from its existing facilities by delivering multiple phone lines and a high-speed Internet connection to the same customer over a single copper pair. By eliminating the need to install separate copper lines for each service, PurePacket also lowers communications costs for HickoryTech's end customers. Integral Access will demonstrate the PurePacket platform this week at the ComNet 2001 Conference and Expo at the Washington D.C. Convention Center, Booth 480.

The YWCA of Mankato, one of HickoryTech's customers connected to the PurePacket platform, now has the ability to place 24 simultaneous phone calls and maintain an Internet connection with a bi-directional transfer rate of 2.3 Mbps over a single copper line. By dynamically allocating bandwidth and combining voice and data traffic on the same link, PurePacket provides HickoryTech with a competitive service delivery advantage.

"The PurePacket platform's ability to deliver more services, more cost effectively over our existing network is very attractive to us," said Bob Alton HickoryTech's Chairman, President and CEO. "The opportunity to offer small businesses enhanced voice and data services that have been out of their reach is a key competitive advantage that the PurePacket platform can bring to our business."

"We are pleased to be working with HickoryTech, one of the nation's oldest local exchanges carriers, on their deployment of the PurePacket platform," said Jack Cicon, president and CEO, Integral Access. "The PurePacket platform allows service providers, like HickoryTech, to leverage the bandwidth efficiencies of IP and the operational benefits of a single multi-service access network in order to profitably deliver a complete range of large enterprise telecom services to cost conscious small/medium-sized businesses."

About PurePacket

The PurePacket platform allows network operators to cost-effectively provide business and residential customers with a broad range of voice and broadband data services including high speed Internet access, LAN interconnect and PBX networking. This complete IP-based access network solution is composed of customer located PurePacketOUTburst IADs, central office PurePacketNode aggregation devices, and the PurePacketOMS™ operations management system for network control and services management. To guarantee QoS, enable Class of Service (CoS), and maximize the traffic carrying capacity of access networks, PurePacket uses an MPLS-based architecture to route, transport and switch voice and data transmissions in packet format.

About HickoryTech

HickoryTech Corporation is a diversified communications company headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, with operations in Minnesota and Iowa. HickoryTech is in its 103rd year of operations with its roots in the local telephone exchange business. From this base, it has expanded into wireless communications, competitive local service, long distance, Internet, information solutions and enterprise solutions. To learn more about HickoryTech, visit the company's Web page at http://www.hickorytech.com.

About Integral Access

Integral Access, Inc. provides intelligent MPLS-based multi-service access systems that enable competitive carriers to offer differentiated services and combine voice/data on new generation IP-based networks, as well as traditional circuit switched infrastructures. Integral Access is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and is privately held. To contact Integral Access call +1-978-256-8833, visit us on the Web at http://www.integralaccess.com, or write to info@integralaccess.com.

Note to editors: PurePacket, PurePacketNode and PurePacketOMS™ are trademarks of Integral Access, Inc. PurePacketOUTburst and the Integral Access logo are registered trademarks of Integral Access, Inc.