OneStar Selects PurePacket Platform
to Deliver Converged Local Access Services

Integral Access System Enables Competitive Carrier to Cost Effectively Enter New Markets and Offer Bundled Voice, Data, and Internet Access

Chelmsford, Mass. and Evansville, Ind. — Aug. 8, 2001 — Integral Access, Inc., the intelligent MPLS access company, today announced that OneStar Communications, Inc., an integrated communications provider based in Evansville, Indiana, will use the PurePacket system to provide converged local access services including voice, data, and Internet access to business customers in tier two and tier three markets throughout the United States.  OneStar will leverage the operational efficiencies of the packet/MPLS based PurePacket system to offer a comprehensive set of competitively priced communications services -- including local calling, long distance calling, data services, and high speed Internet access -- to business customers in its key markets.  The company will initially roll out bundled services delivered over a single phone line to customers in Portland, Maine, and surrounding communities.

OneStar selected the PurePacket platform for its ability to maximize the traffic carrying capacity of access networks, and support a broad array of products with varying levels of Quality of Service.  The PurePacket Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) system enables OneStar to create a wide range of offerings, each with its own Service Level Agreement that can be matched to individual customer requirements.  Using PurePacket, OneStar can cost-effectively enter new markets and immediately provide local calling, broadband data services, and Internet access services, in addition to its traditional long distance services. 

“The PurePacket platform, with its very efficient and flexible IP architecture, enables us to profitably deliver a complete set of affordable communication services over a single phone line to business customers in our target markets,” said Bill Stapleton, COO, OneStar Communications.  “By supporting all services on one network, the Integral Access system significantly reduces our capital and operational costs, while allowing us to offer multiple combinations of voice and data products to satisfy unique customer and market requirements.”

“OneStar is a fast growing carrier that is leveraging new technology to profitably grow its business and expand its service portfolio,” said Jack Cicon, President and CEO, Integral Access.  “We are pleased that OneStar has selected PurePacket as the core building block for delivering integrated local access services and attacking new markets.”

OneStar will leverage the PurePacket platform’s MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol) to support their Next Generation Network (NGN) SoftSwitch architecture. Utilizing a new SoftSwitch architecture, OneStar will be able to deliver traditional local and long distance voice services, as well as new IP-based services.

PurePacket Overview

The PurePacket integrated access system enables carriers to deliver all services over a single network using virtually any transport media including copper pairs, xDSL, leased lines, and Fiber links.  It is the first and only 100 percent packet-based solution that uses an MPLS-based fabric to guarantee service level agreements.  PurePacket is composed of PurePacketOUTburst® customer premise Integrated Access Devices (IADs); PurePacketNode^™ carrier network aggregation devices for central offices, co-locations, and points of presence; PurePacketCompact^™ for multi-dwelling/multi-tenant units (MDU/MTU); and the PurePacketOMS^™ for network/element control and services management.

About OneStar

Founded in 1982, OneStar is an integrated communications provider, and one of the fastest growing, privately held telecommunications companies in the United States.  The company’s product portfolio includes a full range of local, long distance, high-speed data, and broadband services for commercial and residential customers.  OneStar serves more than 60,000 customers in Ameritech, Bell South, Qwest and Verizon regions.  For more information visit us on the Web at www.onestarcom.com, or call 812-437-7711.

About Integral Access

Integral Access, Inc. provides multi-service packet-based access systems that enable carriers to offer differentiated services and combine voice/data on new generation IP-based networks, as well as traditional circuit switched infrastructures.  The company’s products are deployed by carriers in North America and Europe.  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, PurePacketCompact, and PurePacketOMS are trademarks of Integral Access, Inc. OUTburst, Integral Access, and the Integral Access logo are registered trademarks of Integral Access, Inc.