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Nortel Networks Unveils Optical Edge Platform for Simpler, More Efficient Networks

Posted on: Monday, 13 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2003--Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT) has unveiled Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, a new optical edge platform designed to help service providers simplify their networks and offer revenue-generating services more efficiently.

Announced at ITU Telecom World 2003 in Geneva, Nortel Networks Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 will converge multiple services, architectures and layers from new or existing networks onto a single platform for service efficiency.

Nortel Networks estimates that Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 may help service providers to reduce capital and operating costs by as much as 40 percent. It will also help speed time-to-market for Optical Ethernet, Optical Storage Connectivity, and other Optical Broadband services.

"Nortel Networks is leading the transformation to leverage the network, helping service providers to drive new revenue opportunities by offering a true optical convergence platform developed through significant technology innovation," said Brian McFadden, president, Optical Networks, Nortel Networks. "Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 is designed to assist service providers in improving return on existing assets and to support long-term investment protection."

Key attributes of Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 include:

-- Consolidation of network layers - the ability to dramatically

simplify a network by unifying multiple, service-specific

network overlays and consolidating several network functions

onto a single platform.

-- Innovation for service delivery - platform and technology

innovation that will allow service providers to improve

margins on established services by reducing the number of

network elements managed, footprint, power and interconnection

cabling, while improving the efficiency of operations staff.

Also positions service providers to drive new revenue

opportunities through support for emerging Optical Broadband

Services like Optical Ethernet and Optical Storage

Connectivity.

-- Efficient services delivery - will enable low-cost, service

forecast-tolerant and differentiated services through its

ability to deliver combined Layer 0, 1 and 2 services

employing technology that combines selectable bit rates,

multiple protocols and carrier-grade pluggable, flex reach

optics.

"Service providers are looking for innovative ways to meet the growing demand for broadband services from their enterprise customers while still achieving dramatic cost savings in their optical networks," said Robert Rich, executive vice president, Yankee Group. "Nortel Networks initiative to bring a new optical platform to market that offers service providers this kind of opportunity represents a positive step forward for the optical industry."

In addition to enabling service providers to reduce capital and operating costs, Nortel Networks estimates that Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 may help service providers to reduce mixed services implementation costs on TDM leased lines and Optical Broadband Services by up to 38 percent.

A number of leading global service providers are currently evaluating Nortel Networks Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, which will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Deployed in more than 1,000 customer networks in 65 countries, Nortel Networks end-to-end optical network portfolio includes next generation SONET/SDH, optical switching products, photonics (WDM) and Optical Ethernet products. Nortel Networks has deployed more than 250,000 network elements globally Nortel Networks was the worldwide leader in optical networking in 2002 with #1 market share in total optical transport equipment, global metropolitan DWDM, long haul DWDM, and SDH/SONET Multiservice, according to the Dell'Oro Group.

Media and analysts may obtain up-to-date information on Nortel Networks at ITU Telecom World 2003 at www.nortelnetworks.com/itutelecomworld2003_press.

Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on transforming how the world communicates and exchanges information. The Company is supplying its service provider and enterprise customers with communications technology and infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and multimedia services spanning Wireless Networks, Wireline Networks, Enterprise Networks, and Optical Networks. As a global company, Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries. More information about Nortel Networks can be found on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com.

Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the severity and duration of the industry adjustment and continued reductions in spending by our customers; the sufficiency of our restructuring activities, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions; fluctuations in operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations in cash flow, the level of outstanding debt and debt ratings; the ability to meet financial covenants contained in our credit agreements; the ability to integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the impact on our gross margins and other impacts of price and product competition; barriers to international growth and global economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of rationalization in the telecommunications industry; the dependence on new product development and our ability to predict market demand for particular products; the uncertainties of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of our customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; the impact of a consolidation of our common shares; stock market volatility generally and as a result of acceleration of the settlement date or early settlement of our purchase contracts; the entrance into an increased number of supply and outsourcing contracts which contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the ability to obtain timely, adequate and reasonably priced component parts from suppliers and internal manufacturing capacity; the outcome of our asset and liability review; the future success of our strategic alliances; risks related to our defined benefit plans; the impact of additional valuation allowances for all or a portion of our deferred tax assets required if market conditions further deteriorate or future results of operations are less than expected; an inability of our subsidiaries to provide funding to the respective parent companies; restrictions on our cash as cash collateral if satisfactory arrangements for alternative support for certain obligations are not in place; and the adverse resolution of litigation and intellectual property disputes. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filed by Nortel Networks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel Networks disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks

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