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October 16, 1996 CONTACT: John Johnson, NYNEX (617) 743-3677, Dick Badler, GI (312 or 773) 695-1030 NYNEX Selects General Instrument Corporation For Comprehensive Network Modernization And Upgrade --Next Level Communications Subsidiary to Supply Transport Technology for Advanced Fiber Optic Network in New England and New York-- NYNEX (NYSE:NYN) announced today that it has selected Next Level Communications (NLC), a subsidiary of General Instrument Corporation (NYSE:GIC), to provide fiber-to-the-curb technology as part of the companys plan to deliver the next generation of network technology to its customers. The agreement with GI/NLC supports NYNEXs plan to significantly improve the quality, reliability, and intelligence of its network and will further position the company to provide voice, data, and video services over an integrated, fiber-rich network. The technology being purchased by NYNEX will replace copper cables that traditionally carry voice and data from the companys switching facilities to the homes of its customers. The multi-year agreement between NYNEX and GI/NLC includes approximately one million lines of transport electronics to be deployed in metropolitan Boston and New York City areas, as well as parts of Long Island and Westchester County, N.Y. The agreement contains options which at NYNEXs discretion may extend the purchase up to five million lines. The first installation of this new technology will begin in metropolitan Boston early next year. "NYNEX is building a network of superior reliability and technical sophistication," said Richard Jalkut, president, NYNEX Telecommunications Group. "This leading-edge technology is a significant component in NYNEXs drive to further improve service quality and to deliver the advanced features our customers are demanding." "This new technology will enable NYNEX to bring fiber optics closer to our customers than we ever have before," Jalkut said. "This fiber-rich network will be less vulnerable to the elements, offer superior speed and reliability, and will proactively detect potential problems before they affect our customers," he said. The NLevel3 Switched Digital Services system supports both residential and small business communications services over a high-speed, digital broadband transport architecture and offers the capability to provide traditional voice service (POTS), ISDN, high-speed data, Internet, and video services. NYNEXs selection of the Next Level technology comes after an extensive disciplined sourcing process that evaluated quality, reliability, total cost criteria, and the systems ability to meet the companys current and future service requirements. "Selection by NYNEX represents a major milestone for mass deployment of ATM-based technology," said Peter W. Keeler, co-president, NLC. "The fact that NYNEX, after extensive evaluation, selected NLC validates our belief that we have the technology of the future available today." General Instrument, the worlds leader in analog and digital cable and satellite video networks, acquired Next Level Communications in September of 1995 in order to build similar market share in the large telecommunications market place. According to Richard S. Friedland, Chairman and CEO of General Instrument, "Selection by NYNEX is strategically important to GI since it represents our first major entry into the telco market. NYNEXs selection of Next Level comes with the full commitment from GI that this project will be fully supported as part of our strategic objectives with NLC to penetrate the worldwide telecommunications market." Next Level Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Instrument Corporation, manufactures the NLevel3 Broadband Access System, a plug-and-play Switched Digital Services transport platform designed to cost effectively deliver telephony, data, Internet, and video services to the home. General Instrument Corporation is a world leader in developing technology, systems, and product solutions for the interactive delivery of video, voice, and data, as well as in manufacturing and distributing discrete semiconductors. NYNEX is a global communications and media corporation that provides a full range of services in the northeastern United States and high-growth markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The corporation is a leader in telecommunications, wireless communications, directory publishing and video entertainment and information services. NYNEX is also managing sponsor of FLAG -- Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe -- the world's longest undersea fiber optic communications cable. FAX copies of recent NYNEX news releases are available free of charge, 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-331-1214 and an automated system will provide instructions. go to news archive