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Nortel Secures Wireless Network Expansion, 3G UMTS/HSDPA Trials with Edge Wireless


WEBWIRE

Technology to Boost Network Capacity, Allow for Delivery of Advanced Wireless Broadband Services

NOVEMBER 15, 2005

TORONTO – Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] announced that it has been selected by Edge Wireless, LLC, to expand its wireless voice and data network in four states across western United States. Nortel’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology has enabled Edge Wireless subscribers to receive advanced services such as Web browsing, streaming audio and video, multimedia messaging, VPNs and other high-speed wireless broadband services.

In addition, Nortel and Edge Wireless will begin UMTS and HSDPA 3G field trials this month to demonstrate video streaming, gaming, web browsing and FTP downloads at speeds reaching 1.5 Mbps, which is similar with DSL or a cable connection.

“Our network expansion and UMTS/HSDPA trial are essential to ensuring our customers have the highest quality service and most advanced applications on the market today and into the future,” said Donnie Castleman, president and chief operating officer, Edge Wireless. “We chose Nortel as a supplier because of its leading wireless broadband technology and extensive experience in deploying UMTS networks and providing ’best-in-class’ service.”

“Nortel is pleased to work with Edge Wireless as it evolves its network and prepares for the delivery of the additional advanced wireless broadband services, including UMTS/HSDPA, reliably and quickly,” said Peter MacKinnon, president, GSM/UMTS Networks, Nortel. “Nortel’s wireless technology helps operators increase revenue potential by leveraging existing network investments and supporting the delivery of high-speed, sophisticated services subscribers desire.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Nortel will continue to supply Edge Wireless with new radio base stations and high-capacity base station controllers, switching, GSM/GRPS/EDGE software, and professional services including installation, maintenance, and support. Nortel will also deploy its UMTS/HSDPA Release 4 (R4) technology, which continues Edge Wireless’ evolution to a packet switched network.

Nortel’s GSM/UMTS-based solutions are HSDPA-ready and designed to easily upgrade to support HSDPA through a software installation. This gives operators the flexibility to more cost-effectively upgrade their networks as needed to boost capacity to meet market demand for wide area broadband wireless data services.

Nortel achieved the industry’s first HSDPA mobile call in January 2005. Nortel and LGE completed the first live test calls using a commercial handset solution for HSDPA in March 2005. In June 2005, Nortel became the first wireless network supplier to complete the TL9000 registration standard for Quality Management System Requirements and Measurements across its HSDPA, UMTS and GSM wireless infrastructure solutions.

Nortel has worked with a number of wireless operators on HSDPA trials and deployments in 2005, including SKT and KTF in Korea, SOFTBANK Group’s BB Mobile, mmO2, Orange (at 3GSM World Congress 2005 in Cannes, France), Vodafone (at CeBIT 2005 in Hanover, Germany), Partner Communications in Israel, and mobilkom austria.

Nortel has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 70 countries. Nortel was the industry’s first supplier with wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies and is the only end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions.

About Edge Wireless

Edge Wireless, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Oregon, offers wireless service in Oregon, California, Idaho and Wyoming. Edge Wireless is affiliated with Cingular Wireless. All inquiries regarding Edge Wireless should be directed to Darla Pomeroy, 541.312.5451. Edge Wireless is a service mark of Edge Wireless, LLC.

About Nortel

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the world’s most critical information. Serving both service provider and enterprise customers, Nortel delivers innovative technology solutions encompassing end-to-end broadband, Voice over IP, multimedia services and applications, and wireless broadband designed to help people solve the world’s greatest challenges. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

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 outcome of regulatory and criminal investigations and civil litigation actions related to Nortel’s restatements and the impact any resulting legal judgments, settlements, penalties and expenses could have on Nortel’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and any related potential dilution of Nortel’s common shares; the findings of Nortel’s independent review and implementation of recommended remedial measures; the outcome of the ongoing independent review with respect to revenues for specific identified transactions, which review will have a particular emphasis on the underlying conduct that led to the initial recognition of these revenues; the restatement or revisions of Nortel’s previously announced or filed financial results and resulting negative publicity; the existence of material weaknesses in Nortel’s internal control over financial reporting and the conclusion of Nortel’s management and independent auditor that Nortel’s internal control over financial reporting is ineffective, which could continue to impact Nortel’s ability to report its results of operations and financial condition accurately and in a timely manner; the impact of Nortel’s and NNL’s failure to timely file their financial statements and related periodic reports, including Nortel’s inability to access its shelf registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); the impact of management changes, including the termination for cause of Nortel’s former CEO, CFO and Controller in April 2004; the sufficiency of Nortel’s restructuring activities, including the work plan announced on August 19, 2004 as updated on September 30, 2004 and December 14, 2004, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions; cautious or reduced spending by Nortel’s customers; increased consolidation among Nortel’s customers and the loss of customers in certain markets; fluctuations in Nortel’s operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; fluctuations in Nortel’s cash flow, level of outstanding debt and current debt ratings; Nortel’s monitoring of the capital markets for opportunities to improve its capital structure and financial flexibility; Nortel’s ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; the use of cash collateral to support Nortel’s normal course business activities; the dependence on Nortel’s subsidiaries for funding; the impact of Nortel’s defined benefit plans and deferred tax assets on results of operations and Nortel’s cash flow; the adverse resolution of class actions, litigation in the ordinary course of business, intellectual property disputes and similar matters; Nortel’s dependence on new product development and its ability to predict market demand for particular products; Nortel’s ability to integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the impact 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 and consolidation in the telecommunications industry; changes in regulation of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of Nortel’s customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; general stock market volatility; negative developments associated with Nortel’s supply contracts and contract manufacturing agreements, including as a result of using a sole supplier for a key component of certain optical networks solutions; the impact of Nortel’s supply and outsourcing contracts that contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; any undetected product defects, errors or failures; the future success of Nortel’s strategic alliances; and certain restrictions on how Nortel and its president and chief executive officer conduct business. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Nortel with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel 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, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.



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