Siemens Networks wins Two Orders From South Africa’s Neotel

The South African Second National Operator (SNO) Neotel, Johannesburg, has commissioned Siemens Networks to build a nationwide IP core network and a DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transport network. Siemens’ partner in deploying the IP network is Juniper Networks, which will supply IP routers for the new high-performance network. Neotel is investing in cutting-edge network technologies so as to be able to offer residential and business customers multimedia communications services in excellent quality, yet at low cost.

Siemens Networks in South Africa (Siemens Telecommunications) will build the cutting-edge IP core network for Neotel, South Africa’s Second Network Operator (SNO). Thanks to this network, residential and business customers will have access to voice, data and video services in very good quality and at high speed. To ensure high end-to-end quality, Neotel is also investing in a transport network. This fiber-optic network is based on Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing technology. DWDM enables data transfer rates of 40 gigabits per wavelength, with each fiber-optic cable providing 80 wavelengths. The DWDM network will enable Neotel to respond flexibly to customers’ bandwidth demands and protocol changes depending on the customers’ requirements.

Juniper Networks M- and T-series routers, including the T640 core router, are being integrated in the core network to enable Neotel to offer high-performance, leading-edge voice, date and video communications services nationwide over a single IP network.

Apart from this network partnership, Neotel and Siemens Telecommunications have also launched a joint education initiative in South Africa. Its objective is to create a highly qualified workforce in order to boost modernization of the telecommunications sector in South Africa. As part of this initiative, Siemens Telecommunications and Neotel are also committed to greater integration of small enterprises and participants in Black Economic Empowerment initiatives in business processes.

Siemens founded its own Telecommunications Training Institute in Johannesburg six years ago. Since then, over 300 students have graduated with a degree that qualifies them to work in the telecommunications sector.

About Neotel
Neotel is the first national infrastructure-based competitor in the fixed line telecoms sector in South Africa. The company aims to reduce the cost of doing business by enhancing the operational efficiencies of companies through the optimal use of advanced communications technologies, and to extend these benefits into the second economy. Much has changed in the telecoms market in recent months, in South Africa as well as globally. Recognising the changing requirements of telecoms users in South Africa, Neotel is building itself to be a preferred provider of leading-edge telecommunications, well beyond the traditional concept of a fixed line operator. Its various telecom licences, including the PSTS Licence issued to Neotel as the second national operator of South Africa, allow the company to provide the entire range of telecoms services with the exception of full mobility.

About Juniper Networks, Inc.
Juniper Networks (NASDAQ: JNPR) develops purpose-built, high performance IP platforms that enable customers to support a wide variety of services and applications at scale. Service providers, enterprises, governments and research and education institutions rely on Juniper to deliver a portfolio of proven networking, security and application acceleration solutions that solve highly complex, fast-changing problems in the world’s most demanding networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.

Juniper Networks and the Juniper Networks logo are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.

About Siemens Telecommunications
Siemens Networks* trading as Siemens Telecommunications in Africa engages in a dialog with its customers to create trendsetting communications solutions that help network operators and service providers achieve their business goals. Siemens Networks contributes its innovative strength, worldwide experience and unsurpassed implementation expertise in all areas of voice and data communications. As an innovation leader, Siemens Networks delivers customer value today and prepares customers for tomorrow with trendsetting solutions. Siemens Networks is a fully-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG and operates in about 100 countries.

* Siemens Networks will merge into a 50-50 joint venture with the Nokia Networks Business Group, creating a telecommunications powerhouse that will be called Nokia Siemens Networks. The new company will be a global communications leader with strong positions in key growth segments of the fixed and mobile network infrastructure and services, featuring a world-class fixed-mobile convergence capability. Nokia Siemens Networks will start operations on April 1st, 2007.