Nokia and DualStar Communications, Inc. Sign Agreement to Deploy Broadband DSL Access Equipment

Nokia, a world leader in the supply of digital subscriber line (DSL) products and technology, and DualStar Communications, Inc. ("DCI"), a provider of broadband access communication services to residential and commercial buildings, have signed a three year agreement to deploy high-speed Broadband Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access equipment. Deliveries for the DSL broadband network throughout major U.S. markets are underway, after successful trials in the New York metropolitan area.

Under the agreement, Nokia will supply DCI with the Nokia D50 Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), network terminals, Nokia Network Management System and other components of the end-to-end Nokia Broadband IP Access solution.

DSL is a technology that enables higher bandwidth over copper lines to provide services such as data, voice, streaming media, secure remote work and fast internet access at connection speeds that typically range from 1.5 Mbps to 6/8 Mbps.

"As part of its investment in broadband technology, DCI will deploy DSL-based services in major markets in the U.S.," said Jared E. Abbruzzese, Chairman of DualStar Technologies. "This alliance with Nokia represents an important step for DCI as it seeks to implement its business strategy and move the edge of the network closer to the consumer."

Residents living in the DCI enabled buildings will be able to choose from a complete set of communications and entertainment services including local and long distance, always-on high-speed Internet access and satellite based TV. With one phone call, customers can be wired to receive these services, typically within five business days.

"DCI is a provider of next-generation communications services with its home base in one of the most advanced markets in the world. The close cooperation between Nokia and DCI has created an innovative bundle of technology and entertainment services to serve residential consumers and small businesses," said Olli Oittinen, Senior Vice President, Broadband Systems, Nokia Networks. "With the Nokia Broadband DSL solution, consumers in MDUs will now have access to digital content and voice services, fast, and at a reasonable cost."

In addition to New York, DCI expects to roll-out DSL and related services to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami, with more markets to follow. DCI will also make its DSL services available to other carriers on a wholesale basis.

Nokia's broadband DSL position has strengthened with the DualStar announcement to provide high-speed Internet access and voice services to major U.S. metropolitan cities. Today, Nokia's broadband solution is deployed in over 4,000 central offices worldwide whose telecom networks reach 80 million homes and business.

Nokia is paving the way to the Mobile Information Society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt, and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 60,000 people.

DCI, headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, and Denver, is a broadband access provider primarily focused primarily on the MDU market. DCI currently provides voice, high-speed Internet access, and television services in 12 states. DCI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DualStar Technology Corporation, which, through its other subsidiaries, designs and installs infrastructure systems and provides services that control and enhance the environment in buildings. DCI's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol DSTR.

Further information:

Nokia Networks
Communications Department
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8195
Fax + 358 9 5113 8199
nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com

Kelly Reese
Broadband Systems
Tel. + 1 707 793 7044
Fax + 1 707 773 2612
kelly.reese@nokia.com

Michael Mason
DualStar Communications, Inc.
Allen&Caron, Inc.
Tel. + 1 212 691 8087
Fax + 1 212 691 8116

www.dualstar.com

Notes to editors:
A multiple dwelling unit is a residential apartment complex that houses multiple families.

CLECs proved DSL's effectiveness and reliability by rolling out services nationwide. An area growing in popularity as a solution to bypass the local loop by both CLECs and ISPs is providing DSI that supports premises-based deployment within a multiple tenant unit (MTU). An MTU is a business complex or high-rise that houses multiple businesses. In this environment, DSI can be used to support private leased lines for each business to connect to the Internet without ever having to leave the building. A DSL access router (DSLAR) would then be used to connect the business tenants to the Internet. In practice, the DSLAR method is more efficient and cost-effective.