LONDON -- London UK: Azea Networks today announced that it has successfully completedPhase 1 of a planned upgrade to the repeatered Segment I of the SouthernCross Cable Network (SCCN). This involved the installation of 20 Gb/s of newcapacity on Segment I between Spencer Beach and Kahe Point Hawaii using theAzea NX10 next generation Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) andElement Management system (EMS).

Azea simultaneously announced that Southern Cross had also selected Azea forPhase 2 which comprises a follow-on delivery of an additional 50Gb/s of capacityon Segment I. Phase 2 is planned to be ready for service by Q2 2006.

“We are delighted to have been selected by Southern Cross Cables Limited(SCCL) for this exciting project. It again demonstrates the flexibility of the NX10solution and our ability to deliver a quality product on time and to budget”, saidScott White, Chief Executive Officer of Azea Networks. “Our ability to design andimplement a solution from start to finish on a major network like SCCN is atestimony to our product and the expertise of the Azea team”.

The success of this project bodes well for increased competition on futureupgrades to existing installed systems, and further validates the concept of‘second vendor’ upgrades to existing wet plant submarine infrastructure.“We are impressed with the NX10 and EMS product suite and theprofessionalism of the Azea team”, said Fiona Beck, President and ChiefExecutive Officer of SCCL. She further added, “In the new broadband era weare constantly looking to drive our infrastructure and support costs down, and theAzea offering is right on the mark. The NMS also stood out as being one of thesimplest, intuitive, plug and play systems we have come across.”

“In working with SCCL, Azea Networks has demonstrated its carrier gradesolution and we look forward to assisting many more of the region’s operatorswith their upgrade requirements,” said Mike Hynes, Chief Operating Officer ofAzea Networks. “Azea’s ability to design, model, manufacture and install theupgrade in such a short time frame is a testament to the flexibility and plug andplay feature of our system”.

Azea Networks Ltd.