FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Global Crossing (Nasdaq: GLBC - News) today announced that it has deployed IPv6 natively across it's global IP network, placing the company at the forefront of network services providers.

"IPv6 adds tremendous intelligence, flexibility and scalability to ubiquitous communications," said Anthony Christie, Global Crossing's chief marketing officer. "Governments, research and education networks, transportation companies and wireless carriers will benefit from its built-in security and self-authentication features, delivered over our global, MPLS- based backbone."

IPv6 simplifies mobile IP networking with improved routing and security capabilities. By enabling devices to automatically configure their Internet connectivity, IPv6 will support the expected explosion of dynamically connected network devices including PDAs, cell phones, Internet-connected televisions, home security and HVAC systems, and "smart" household appliances.

IPv6 is a standard service component in Global Crossing's global Internet Access Services. The company's global MPLS-based IP VPN infrastructure will be fully IPv6-enabled by the end of 2005, further enhancing the unparalleled combination of global reach and flexibility this service offers.

Ireland's national research network HEAnet leverages Global Crossing's IPv6-enabled global backbone to empower more than 150,000 students, academics and researchers with high-speed Internet access.

"IPv6 is vital to the continued success of the Internet," said Dave Wilson, senior network engineer at HEAnet. "As more new applications come on stream, the constraints of legacy IPv4 are becoming increasingly onerous, and both security and business suffer as a result. By taking the reins off the use of addresses, users and developers are no longer bound by unnecessary paperwork and can concentrate their energy where it's needed."

The U.S. government has mandated that its agencies adopt IPv6 in their core networks by 2008. Global Crossing serves federal enterprises with a suite of interoperable IP solutions running over its global network, and its capabilities enable the deployment of net-centric operations, as advocated by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Global Crossing is a member of the AT&T Government Solutions Enterprise Networx bid and has also partnered with Northrop Grumman to expand the U.S. Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations Network globally. The company also serves the UK government and has other significant contracts including the British Foreign Commonwealth Office, the British Council, and the UK Rail community.

In 2003 the company signed a precedent-setting Network Security Agreement with the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to support law enforcement and national security objectives.

Global Crossing is the exclusive provider of IPv6 service to the IPv6 Summits held in Reston, VA and has staked a leadership position in advisory organizations including the IPv6 Committee of the American Council for Technology's Industry Advisory Council (ACT/IAC), highlighting its commitment to developing the next set of IP standards.

Global Crossing Holdings Ltd.