Comcast Picks Cisco's CRS-1

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems® (NASDAQ:CSCO - News) today announced that Comcast has selected the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System, the core component of the Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN), for Comcast's integrated national delivery platform for broadband, communications, video entertainment and future cross-platform services.

IP NGN is Cisco's architectural strategy for service providers based on industry standards and a modular blueprint, which specifically supports service innovation, acceleration and differentiation. The IP NGN strategy defines an incremental roadmap towards true service and platform convergence delivering capital benefits, operational efficiencies, availability and scalability.

Comcast selected the Cisco CRS-1 after an intensive and successful trial of the platform's advanced features and functions, with a particular emphasis on continuous systems operation, IP service flexibility, overall scalability, multicast support for digital broadcast video and optical integration. The CRS-1 will serve in a backbone network where the highest levels of availability are required for advanced routing, multicast, IPv6, policy and quality of service (QoS). Cisco will also be providing operational readiness and training programs.

"We are building a nationwide service delivery infrastructure to provide our customers the latest next-generation communication, video and entertainment services," said David M. Fellows, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Comcast Cable. "The Cisco CRS-1 meets our strategic technology needs for continuous system operation, overall network functionality, service flexibility and integrated optical scalability."

Comcast Corp.

Cisco Systems Inc.