Ascend Expands Industry-Leading MAX Product Line With Three New Models;
Introduces Hybrid Access and Higher-Density Digital Modems

ALAMEDA, CALIF., MAY 20, 1996 -- Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASND)
today announced it has expanded its top-selling MAX WAN access switch
product line with three new products -- the MAX 2000, MAX 4002 and MAX
4004 -- and introduced Hybrid Access, a flexible architecture for
integrating analog and high-speed digital WAN services onto the same
product platform. The company also introduced a new higher-density digital
modem card, the DM-12, giving the MAX the highest port density in the
industry.

"Ascend has established itself as the market leader, with the most
feature-rich product line at the lowest per-port price," said Bernie
Schneider, Ascend's vice president of marketing. "Hybrid Access and the
new DM-12 reaffirm our commitment to providing the most flexible,
cost-effective remote networking solutions in the industry."

"It's no wonder that Ascend has captured over 75 percent of the central
site remote networking market and become the de facto standard for ISPs
worldwide," said Liza Henderson, broadband consultant at Verona,
N.J.-based TeleChoice. "This announcement solidifies Ascend's strong
leadership position, with the MAX product line being the most scalable,
cost-effective remote networking solution available today."

HYBRID ACCESS

Hybrid Access provides a unique building-block architecture for
implementing remote access networks. It gives corporate network managers,
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Carriers greater flexibility in
supporting their existing analog modem-based applications while providing
a migration path to high-speed digital services such as Frame Relay, ISDN
and leased lines. In conjunction with the new MAX products, Hybrid Access
lets users grow their networks cost effectively, offering the lowest price
per port of any WAN access switch on the market.

Hybrid Access is available as two different options: Hybrid Access64
supports up to 64 56/64 kbit/s digital sessions; Hybrid Access96 supports
up to 96 sessions.

HIGHER-DENSITY DIGITAL MODEMS

Ascend pioneered digital modem technology, which enables high-speed digital
lines to carry analog modem traffic. Digital modems enhance both analog
modem call performance and reduce operating costs. The new higher-density
modem card, called the DM-12, plugs into expansion slots on each of the
new MAX products. Each card provides 12 digital modems, 50 percent more
than its predecessor, and supports all popular modem standards, including
V.34, V.42 and V.42 bis.

MAX 2000

The MAX 2000 comes with a single T1/PRI port and an integrated CSU, an
Ethernet port, and a high-speed serial port or, optionally, a T1 CSU for
connecting to a backbone network. Hybrid Access is a standard feature on
the MAX 2000. Two expansion slots are available to support digital modem
cards and other application-specific cards, supporting up to 24
analog/digital sessions.

MAX 4002

The MAX 4002 comes with two T1/PRI ports with integrated CSUs, an Ethernet
port, a high-speed serial port, and six expansion slots for application
specific cards. Supporting up to 48 analog/digital sessions, the MAX 4002
is user-upgradeable to a MAX 4004. Hybrid Access is an option on the MAX
4002.

MAX 4004 FEATURES

The MAX 4004 comes with four T1/PRI lines with integrated CSUs, an Ethernet
port, a high-speed serial port, and six expansion slots for application
specific cards. It supports a maximum of 72 analog modem sessions and a
total of 96 analog/modem sessions. Hybrid Access is also an option on the
MAX 4004.

* The MAX 4002 and the MAX 4004 are only available in the U.S.

MAX PRODUCT FAMILY

The MAX product family supports end user applications such as corporate
telecommuting, remote office networking and Internet access and is
deployed extensively in ISP and Carrier networks worldwide. A key to this
success is a common set of features and capabilities which includes
security, management, extensive user authentication, routing and bridging,
and terminal server functionality. Remote node access (MAXLink), and modem
dialout (MAXDial) are also available for the entire MAX family, from the
eight-port MAX 200Plus to the 96-port MAX 4004.

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

The MAX 4002 and MAX 4004 are AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE U.S.  Available
immediately, the MAX product family now includes:

* MAX 200Plus: Built on PCMCIA card technology; support for up to eight
analog/ISDN sessions.

* MAX 1800: Eight ISDN BRI ports; two expansion slots; support for up to 16
analog/digital sessions.

* MAX 2000: One T1/PRI line; two expansion slots; support for up to 24
analog/digital sessions.

* MAX 4000: Four T1/PRI ports; six expansion slots; support for up to 96
analog/digital sessions; support for up to 48 analog modem sessions.

* MAX 4002: Two T1/PRI ports; six expansion slots; support for up to 48
analog/digital sessions.

* MAX 4004: Four T1/PRI ports; six expansion slots; support for up to 96
analog/digital sessions; support for up to 72 modem sessions.

ABOUT ASCEND

Ascend Communications, Inc. is a leading, worldwide provider of remote
networking solutions for corporate central sites, Internet Service
Providers' points-of-presence, remote offices, mobile workers and
telecommuters. Ascend develops, manufactures, markets, sells and supports
products which utilize bandwidth on demand to extend existing corporate
networks for applications such as remote LAN access, Internet access,
telecommuting, SOHO connectivity and videoconferencing/multimedia access.
Detailed information on Ascend products, news announcements, seminars,
service and support is available on Ascend's home page at the World Wide
Web site http://www.ascend.com.

Ascend is headquartered at 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502
Phone: 800-621-9578; fax 510-214-2300;
E-mail: info@ascend.com.
Ascend's World Wide Web address is http://www.ascend.com.
 
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