Asia Netcom Upgrades Pan-Asian Submarine Cable Network with Next-Generation Platform from Lucent Technologies

Lucent’s LambdaUnite® Multiservice Switch (MSS) to enhance core fiber transport layer for Asia Netcom’s EAC cable system.

January 23, 2006, Hong Kong and Murray Hill, NJ – Asia Netcom, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Netcom (NYSE:CN, SEHK: 0906) has selected Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) to supply a next-generation optical communications platform needed to upgrade its pan-Asian submarine cable network, known as EAC.

Lucent will replace EAC’s existing platform with the Lucent LambdaUnite® Multi-Service Switch (MSS). The new platform will dramatically enhance Asia Netcom’s ability to deliver next-generation bandwidth services with a variety of advanced transport and connectivity services in the Asia Pacific region, enabling Asia Netcom to differentiate its offerings from those of competitors.

“The telecommunications business continues to evolve at an accelerating pace with the increased adoption of broadband in the region, and the emergence of applications such as IPTV, online gaming, third-generation (3G) and other broadband wireless access technologies entering the mainstream,” said Wilfred Kwan, Asia Netcom’s Chief Technology Officer. “Many of these new applications and services require real-time, high-performance bandwidth that traditional service providers can’t deliver – a new generation of service providers, with new capabilities and service features is required.”

Kwan added: “That is why we launched this network upgrade initiative following a thorough evaluation process. The new platform will not only enable us to meet the changing bandwidth requirements in the market place, but also dramatically improve service provisioning and operational efficiency.”

With the LambdaUnite MSS platform and its support for ASON (Automatically Switched Optical Networks)/GMPLS (Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching) technology, Asia Netcom will be able to adopt a meshed, network architecture on the optical layer, and offer a wide variety of “Class-of-Service” options as part of its optical transport services. At the same time, the LambdaUnite MSS platform’s enhanced management system gives Asia Netcom full control of all network elements, resulting in seamless service provisioning and network management of EAC.

“Lucent is very proud to play such an important part in delivering a very innovative solution for Asia Netcoms’ submarine network,” said Ian Gardner, vice president business development, Lucent Asia Pacific. “Lucent’s LambdaUnite MSS is designed to help our customer’s meet today’s requirements in a flexible manner, while providing the capabilities to address future needs.”

About Lucent’s LambdaUnite® MSS
LambdaUnite MSS provides a bridge between data-intense metro networks and high-speed optical core networks, connecting cities, campuses and corporate networks to the larger, long-haul public networks. Developed by Lucent Technologies’ Bell Labs, the system brings together switching capacity, functionality, density and flexibility into one box and an extremely small footprint.

Asia Netcom’s EAC is the first privately-owned pan-Asian submarine cable system stretching 19,500 kilometers and connecting Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, and Singapore. EAC will soon extend into China through a new cable extension to the northern Chinese city of Qingdao, giving Asia Netcom, its partners, and its customers a second, direct and seamless connection into China.

About Asia Netcom
Winner of Frost & Sullivan’s ’2005 Data Communications Service Provider of the Year’ award, Asia Netcom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Netcom (NYSE:CN, SEHK: 0906). The company operates an extensive telecommunications network infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region, including a privately-owned subsea cable system, EAC, as well as extensive terrestrial backhauls and telehouses in all key Asian markets. Leveraging these strategic assets, Asia Netcom provides a comprehensive portfolio of city-to-city connectivity, data communications and IP-based solutions and services to enterprise, ISP and carrier customers in the Asia Pacific region. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong with local offices in all major Asian markets, the US and Europe. For more information, please visit our Website at: http://www.asianetcom.com.



About Lucent Technologies
Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent’s customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit http://www.lucent.com.

Contact Information

Tony Chan

Asia Netcom

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