Press Release

Data Connection Licenses GMPLS/RSVP and OSPF-TE software to BTexact

London, UK: March 18, 2003. Data Connection Limited (DCL), a provider of communications protocol software, and BTexact Technologies, BT's advanced research and technology business, today announced that BTexact has licensed DCL's DC-MPLS and DC-OSPF-TE software for use in its research programmes.

DCL's DC-MPLS product was the first to support GMPLS optical extensions and is a leading MPLS source code solution for packet and optical network devices. MPLS provides IP networks with a more flexible routing architecture meeting a number of requirements for achieving network convergence and enabling new services such as IPVPN. GMPLS optical extensions allow the same MPLS routing and control components to direct both packet flow and the setup of optical channels. This has the potential to deliver simpler network deployments and cost efficiencies for operators. DC-MPLS combined with its IP routing products, including DC-OSPF and DC-LMP, provides a complete integrated control plane.

Rob Booth, who manages BTexact's research into next generation networks, said: "DCL's optical control plane technology has helped us further our research into next-generation IP and optical networks. Their software has proved an effective platform for our work and we have been pleased with the quality of their code and the responsiveness and expertise of their support team."

"We are delighted to be working with BTexact," said Ben Miller, VP Sales and Marketing, Network Protocols Group of DCL. "Their real world modeling will yield yet more information on the value and benefits of the optical control plane for carriers and therefore OEMs."

About Data Connection Limited

Data Connection Limited (DCL) is the leading independent developer and supplier of IP Routing, LMP, MPLS, SIP, MGCP/Megaco, SCTP, ATM, Conferencing, Unified Messaging, Directory and SNA portable products. Customers include Calient, CIENA, Cisco, Fujitsu, Hitachi, IBM Corp., Lucent, Microsoft, Nortel Networks and Sun. Its MetaSwitch division develops and manufactures a carrier-class Next Generation Class 5 Switch for telecommunications service providers.

Data Connection is headquartered in London UK, with US offices in Reston, VA and Alameda, CA. It was founded in 1981 and is privately held. During each of the past 20 years its profits have exceeded 20% of revenue. Last year sales exceeded $35M, of which 90% were outside the UK, mostly in the US. This large proportion of overseas sales has led to the company being awarded two Queen's Awards for outstanding export performance.

For more information, see www.dataconnection.com.

Data Connection is a trademark of Data Connection Limited and Data Connection Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About BTexact Technologies

On 1 April 2003 BTexact Technologies, BT's advanced research and technology business, will merge with BT Computing Partners, BT's internal IT solutions provider, to form a new organization, BTexact. The new entity offers expertise and experience in communications technology and e-business, backed by a team of over 6,000 technologists and one of the world's largest communications research and development facilities. It's a new business, with a long history.

As the centre of technical expertise for the BT Group, BTexact has established a record of world-first achievements and of successful delivery of projects, large and small. It is responsible for planning, designing, building and running BT's computing capability as well as providing solutions to BT's external customers.

BTexact has people based worldwide - including locations across the UK and in Asia, continental Europe, and North America.

For further information, contact:

Data Connection Limited

BTexact Technologies