ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- Cisco Systems® (Nasdaq:CSCO - News) and Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) announced today that ETC has deployed an optical network infrastructure that will help transport high-quality voice, data and multimedia services to government departments, companies and the general population.

The new Cisco® ONS 15454-based optical transport infrastructure and Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) core network will also help support the Ethiopian government's initiative to build nationwide networks that link government departments, educational and healthcare institutions, and agricultural research centres.

"Our economy is based primarily on agriculture -- it contributes half the GDP and 90 per cent of our export earnings," explains Ato Asfaw Haile Mariam, the deputy general manager of information technology and data services at ETC. "However, while this is important, the government recognises that we need alternative long-term growth strategies to create a knowledge-based economy. That is why we are embracing this technology to enhance the education and agriculture sectors, and improve government's ability to deliver high-quality public services."

The Ethiopian Government, through its Ministry of Capacity Building (MoCB), enlisted ETC to build a core multiservice network. ETC awarded the tender for this infrastructure to Cisco Systems and its pan-African network and systems integrator, Business Connexion.

"In addition to providing a foundation for connecting business, there are many significant social development opportunities presented by the MoCB initiative," explains Geraint Anderson, vice-president, incumbent service provider segment, Cisco Systems Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "The Cisco optical and IP/MPLS core infrastructure provides ETC with a scalable and flexible infrastructure to help support these and future government projects."

Cisco Systems Inc.

Ethiopia Telecommunications Corp.