Sprint First U.S.-Based Global Communications Provider to Achieve Cisco TelePresence Connection Certification

As the first U.S.-based global communications provider to achieve the Cisco TelePresence Connection Certification, Sprint’s (NYSE: S) tier one global IP/MPLS network will provide businesses a high quality experience when using the Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution.

“Building upon a long history of recognition in delivering customers with strong reliability, flexibility and quality of service through our IP network, Sprint has reached another milestone by becoming the first U.S.-based global provider to achieve Cisco TelePresence Connection Certification,” said Barry Tishgart, vice president of converged business solutions for Sprint. “Receiving this certification recognizes the inherent quality of our IP network architecture to support the convergence of real-time voice, video and data over a single IP/MPLS network.”

The Cisco Telepresence solution is best delivered over a Cisco-Certified TelePresence network connection, which Sprint is the first U.S.-based global provider to achieve, and takes advantage of Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture and innovative technology to deliver a highly scalable and secure solution. The Cisco TelePresence system creates unique, “in-person” experiences between people, places and events in their work and personal lives. It delivers life-size images, ultra-high-definition video (1080p), spatial audio and a specially designed environment to create a “room within a room” meeting space.

The Cisco certification program for TelePresence services provides businesses an added level of confidence that providers such as Sprint can deliver life-like communications experience needed for an optimal TelePresence experience. It provides continual assurance that Sprint’s network maintains its level of quality, conforms to industry and regulatory standards, and meets or exceeds enterprise requirements for operational excellence. The certification process goes beyond static service measurement of network performance. It adds best practices based on current industry standards for network architecture, management and performance including measurement, staff, processes and tools. These are audited annually to help ensure that providers are committed and able to offer an optimal TelePresence experience. For more information, see: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns672/networking_solutions_white_paper0900aecd805bbda0.shtml.

“We are very pleased to announce Sprint as the first U.S.-based global communications provider to achieve the Cisco TelePresence Connection Certification,” said Jeffrey Spagnola, vice president of service provider marketing at Cisco. “The Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution enables new collaboration opportunities, but also imposes significant demands on the network. Innovative providers such as Sprint who are delivering TelePresence services must support stringent service-level agreements (SLAs) for quality of service (QoS) and high availability. The Cisco IP NGN architecture, adopted by Sprint as the basis of its IP transformation, addresses these requirements by integrating application, service, and network layers in a single carrier-class system.”

This certification is added to network quality assurances confirmed in 2005 when Sprint’s IP/MPLS network received the Cisco IP VPN Multi-Service QoS Certification---which means the network exceeds Cisco standards for running converged services such as voice, video, and data. Sprint was also the first service provider to have demonstrated through a third-party assessment that its MPLS VPN service meets Cisco’s best practices and standards for delivering quality of service (QoS).

Sprint Nextel continues to invest significantly to enhance its wireline network, which has global reach through the company’s powerful IP and MPLS platform. During the 2006 and 2007 time period, Sprint expects to have invested approximately $1.4 billion in its wireline network. This year’s wireline investment is aimed at enhancing MPLS VPN service, voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities, IP transport solutions, network footprint/Global IP expansion and increased packet access capabilities such as Ethernet. Investments will also be made to enhance managed network and security services, as well as fixed mobile convergence.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 53.6 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.