SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Foundry Networks®, Inc. (Nasdaq: FDRY - News) a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, today announced that GlobalConnect, one of Europe's largest independent suppliers of fiberoptic infrastructure, is complementing its existing circuit switching-based infrastructure with one based on Foundry's Layer 2/3 FastIron® Edge X-series switches. Foundry's packet-based Ethernet switch infrastructure will complement GlobalConnect's existing transmission infrastructure to deliver a robust, cost-effective solution to meet the increased demand for Ethernet leased line services and higher bandwidth.

Headquartered in Copenhagen and operating a network of over 2,400 km of optical cable from Sweden to Frankfurt, GlobalConnect is the region's largest independent supplier of fiberoptic infrastructure. GlobalConnect leases its infrastructure on a wholesale basis to more than 90 regional and international telecom operators, cable TV network operators, and Internet service providers in Scandinavia and Germany.

GlobalConnect's decision to complement its existing circuit-based transmission infrastructure with a packet-based Ethernet solution will help the company meet customers' growing demand for Ethernet connections. The company's decision to install Ethernet switching was based on the prohibitive costs involved with upgrading its current circuit-based infrastructure and the overall cost effectiveness, scalability and carrier-class reliability of an Ethernet infrastructure built upon Foundry's X-series switches.

Foundry's X-series switches provide GlobalConnect with a cost-effective, long-term solution to meet its capacity and scalability requirements. With four built-in SFP Gigabit Ethernet fiber ports and up to two optional 10-GbE XFP uplinks, the X-series switches will efficiently service GlobalConnect's current capacity requirements while providing the company with a smooth migration path from Gigabit Ethernet to 10-Gigabit Ethernet in the future.

Foundry Networks Inc.

GlobalConnect A/S