12/20/2001

Vobis opts for Q-DSL

Cologne, 20.12.2001. QSC AG, Germany's professional provider of broadband infrastructure and DSL-based, high-speed Internet access, and Vobis Microcomputer AG have become sales partners. As of now, Vobis markets QSC's Q-DSL range via its network of branches as well as its website, www.vobis.de. Q-DSL home will be installed in Vobis outlets in the 46 major German cities covered by QSC's network, allowing Vobis' customers to surf the Net at broadband speeds. The sales partnership is another important milestone in QSC's ongoing drive to further develop a nationwide sales network which is close to the customer.

Bernd Schlobohm, QSC AG's CEO is delighted: "I am very pleased that we were able to attract Vobis into our sales network. Vobis is one of Germany's leading retail chains and brings us yet one step closer to the customer. We are heading in the right direction with our strategy of building up strong sales channels which achieve a high degree of market penetration. A partner such as Vobis will further boost sales of our high-quality Q-DSL range."

"Q-DSL home significantly enhances our range of services", says Jürgen Rakow, CEO of Vobis Microcomputer AG. "We expect our offer to test-drive Q-DSL, experiencing its advantages first-hand in many of our branches, to be hugely popular with our customers."

Vobis will be marketing two Q-DSL services which are tailored to the broadband needs of distinct market segments: Q-DSL home offers residential users ultra-high download speeds of up to 1 Mbps, and upload speeds of up to 256 Kbps. Higher data transfer rates deliver an enhanced surfing experience for online gamers, smooth video streaming and fast downloads of software and sound files. With Q-DSL office, on the other hand, Vobis provides business customers with an attractive, high-performance broadband product tailored to their individual needs.

Background

QSC AG (QSC) is a professional DSL provider in Germany. This technology makes efficient use of the 'last mile' on the basis of unbundled network access, thus multiplying data traffic speeds by a factor of several times compared with standard subscriber connections. QSC offers its business and residential customers broadband 'always-on' connections to the Internet, with up and downstream data transfer rates beginning at 144 Kbps and going up to 2.3 Mbps. The company's broadband network covers the 40 largest cities in Germany and reaches more than 20 million potential users.

Since April 2000, QSC has been listed on the Neuer Markt [QSC] segment of the Frankfurt stock exchange and the New York Nasdaq [QSCG]. The company's IPO increased its equity capital by more than EUR 280 million to over EUR 420 million.

For more information please contact:

QSC AG
Uta Teigel
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 (0)-221-6698-281
Fax: +49 (0)-221-6698-289
E-mail: press@qsc.de

Vobis
Janet Spacey PR
Adenauerstraße 20
52146 Würselen
Telefon: 02405-89 88 08
Telefax: 02405-89 88 09
janet@spacey-pr.de