Press Release

Laurel Networks' ST200 Service Edge Router Selected by Level 3

ST200 Combines An IP/MPLS Control Plane With Guaranteed Bandwidth Delivery

Pittsburgh, PA - June 3, 2002 - Laurel Networks, Inc., the first provider of high-performance service edge routers, today announced that Level 3 Communications, an international communications and information services company, has selected the Laurel Networks ST200™ Service Edge Router for its MPLS-based Ethernet private line, ATM and Frame Relay service in the U.S. and Europe.

The ST200 was designed from the ground up to create profitable data services at the edge of an IP/MPLS backbone network. With a distributed, edge-optimized architecture combining Internet class routing, full port-by-port multi-service capabilities and a sophisticated service management infrastructure, the ST200 delivers services with unmatched performance, scalability and flexibility to support current and future service provider requirements.

"Level 3 is a leader in the use of advanced networking technology to offer their customers an ever-growing portfolio of offerings, fast provisioning, easy-to-manage bandwidth and expandable services," said Atul Bansal, president and CEO of Laurel Networks. "Selection of the Laurel ST200 highlights the importance of an edge-optimized, flexible architecture and extensive QoS to support continually evolving service provider requirements, including support for Layer 2 and IP-based services, in a single platform."

"Level 3 has consistently led the way in the development of MPLS technology based on the Martini Draft -a method upon which current Layer 2 MPLS private networks are based, and has used MPLS in its core network for 2 years, and, is now introducing it at the edge," said Jack Waters, chief technology officer, Level 3. "The flexible ST200 architecture helps us to cost-effectively offer multiple new services and to provide our customers with more flexible billing models while using a common edge platform."

About Laurel Networks
Laurel Networks is the first provider of high-performance service edge routers designed and developed specifically for the edge of IP/MPLS networks. Laurel's flagship ST200 Service Edge Router includes the combination of features required to deliver high-value IP services, including: high-capacity routing and switching; rich bandwidth management functionality; and high-density, multi-service ports. Laurel Networks was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.laurelnetworks.com.