News: In the Press

TIER1NET AND MCK COMMUNICATIONS TEAM UP TO PROVIDE REMOTE VOICE SOLUTIONS OVER NORTHPOINT DSL

--Leading Services Provider Signs Up as MCK Solutions Provider: Remote Workers, Branch Offices and Telecommuters Gain Benefits from Joint Relationship--

DSLCon, BOSTON, Mass., September 19, 2000--MCK Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCKC), a leading provider of solutions to enable the delivery of business-quality voice over existing and next-generation networks, and Tier1Net, a full service Integrated Communications Provider specializing in wholly managed Internet network solutions, today announced that they are teaming up to offer remote voice over DSL solutions to address the needs of branch offices and telecommuters at medium and large enterprises. This announcement marks another milestone in MCK’s strategy to become the remote voice solutions bridge between legacy voice systems and next-generation networks and applications. As part of the relationship, Tier1Net joins MCK’s Service Provider Program as a Solutions Provider, and will provide MCK’s remote voice solutions in conjunction with NorthPoint Communications’ DSL lines.

“Tier1Net typifies the network service provider that we know can help accelerate the delivery of PBX Extension and other new value-added services and applications to business users,” said Al Brisard, vice president of marketing at MCK Communications, Inc., “As an MCK Solutions Provider Tier1Net will be able to provide its DSL customers with business-quality remote voice as a value-added service offering.”
“Remote voice solutions are in great demand by our DSL customers,” said Marc Capobianco, president of Tier1Net, Inc. “As an MCK Solutions Provider, we’ll be able to provide our customers access to the industry’s leading remote voice solutions for branch offices, remote workers and telecommuters.”

“Voice is a principal value-added service for the business market,” said Manuela McCall, vice president of product marketing for NorthPoint Communications. “NorthPoint has designed its nationwide DSL network to enable ISP partners like Tier1Net to deliver differentiated services including voice over packet networks to customers.”
MCK’s remote voice solutions target off-premises employees such as branch offices, small and regional offices, call centers and telecommuters who need full connectivity to the corporate PBX via LAN or WAN. MCK’s Extender products allow a corporation to leverage its investment in the PBX by extending lines to remote users at a fraction of the cost of traditional stand-alone PBX systems, key systems or Centrex. The major applications for MCK’s remote voice technology are through branch offices with 24 or fewer employees (with cost savings and seamless connectivity over data networks); call center agents (enhancing employee retention, staffing flexibility, and reduced real estate costs); road warrior telecommuters (improved control and accessibility); and the ability to create virtual offices for telecommuters.

The MCK Service Provider Program allows leading next-generation network providers to certify their networks and service providers and offer value-added remote voice services to customers who are deploying remote data applications. MCK is offering the Service Provider Program to Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECS), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Application Service Providers (ASPs), and Cable Operators. Initially, the program consists of two levels -- Certified Network Providers and Solutions Providers, both designed to service, support and manage services for MCK solutions to end-users.

MCK products are available through a large network of telecommunications resellers and OEM partners, including Lucent, Williams Communications Solutions, BellSouth, GTE, Sprint, Bell Canada, SBC, Ameritech, Staples Communications, Dacon and British Telecom and other value added resellers. For more information about the MCK Service Provider Program, call MCK sales at 1-888-454-7979 or visit MCK’s web site at qualify as an MCK Certified Network Service Provider, companies must test and certify MCK remote voice products to work over their network and reference MCK products on their Web sites and in marketing collateral. MCK Solutions Providers are companies that have structured their businesses to provide turnkey solutions, including installation, service, support and managed services.

About MCK Communications
MCK Communications, Inc. develops and markets a comprehensive portfolio of business voice applications and solutions for branch offices, call centers and telecommuters over traditional voice, data or next-generation networks. The company, which is ISO 9001-certified, has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation by building leading-edge communications products that enhance customers’ networked voice systems. Headquartered in Needham, Mass., the Company has an R&D facility in Calgary, Alberta and an Applications Business Unit in Allen, Texas. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.mck.com. For Investor Relations information, call our toll free number at 888-454-7979 or contact us via e-mail at .

About Tier1Net, Inc.
Tier1Net, Inc. is a full service ISP offering completely managed Internet network solutions for small and medium sized business. The Company continues to separate itself from competitors with its unique brand of innovation and unprecedented levels of customer service. Technology is a rapidly moving industry, and Tier1Net is committed to providing business solutions that reflect this fast paced environment. Tier1Net is headquartered in Wakefield, Mass. For more information, visit the company’s web site , or call 781.935.8050.

Portions of this release contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We wish to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results indicated by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the success of our Service Provider Program, quarterly fluctuations in operating results attributable to the timing and amount of orders for our products, market acceptance of our products including our new IP products, our ability to keep pace with rapidly changing product requirements and factors affecting the demand for remote voice technologies, our reliance on a small number of customers, including Lucent Technologies which is currently undergoing a corporate restructuring, for a significant portion of our revenues, and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.