Nortel Goes Long

OTTAWA -- Nortel Networks(NYSE:NT)(TSE:NT.) has deployed what is believed to be the world'slongest, high-capacity terrestrial optical backbone in commercialservice -- in the North American network of Global Crossing (NYSE:GX). Spanning approximately 1,500 kilometers, this optical backbonecurrently supports 200 gigabits per second (Gbps) of data withoutopto-electronic regeneration, and has the capability to support up to560 Gbps. It is based on Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul 4000 OpticalLine System, recently named a 2001 InfoVision Award winner foroutstanding achievement in public networks. "By delivering faster, wider and longer networks, Nortel Networksis positioning its customers to deliver profitable, next generationservices," said Greg Mumford, president, Optical Long Haul Networks,Nortel Networks. "We have provided Global Crossing with a network thatgives its global customers access to a broader range of seamlessnetwork services unabated by the distance or capacity limitationscurrently facing other networks." Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul 4000 is a 10 Gbps solution thathas increased the all-optical reach of the Global Crossingtransmission backbone, while offering flexible optical 'add/drop'functionality. This ultra-long haul solution has also extended GlobalCrossing's ability to offer 10 Gbs wavelength services to carry SONETand IP traffic directly over optical wavelengths, while enabling fast'time-to-service' and low 'cost-per-bit.'Nortel Networks Corp.