Nortel Expands LH Portfolio

HANNOVER, Germany -- Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT) today enhanced its optical long haul portfolio with the announcement of Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul DT, a next generation DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) terminal designed to promote network and operational efficiencies. Used in conjunction with Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul Optical Line Systems, OPTera Long Haul DT will position service providers to drive significant cost savings and realize better return on investment for both new and existing optical infrastructure. Optus, a leading Australia-based service provider, expects to be first to deploy OPTera Long Haul DT, with plans to place it in service in Optus' new optical network in July 2003. Optus purchased OPTera Long Haul DT as part of a contract for voice over IP and optical solutions announced in April 2002. The Optus network is expected to span 2,852 kilometers from Perth to Adelaide. "OPTera Long Haul DT will make Nortel Networks harder to beat in long haul DWDM going forward," said Dave Dunphy, principal analyst, optical infrastructure, Current Analysis. "Nortel Networks has racked up a lot of success and experience in long haul to date, but needed to take this first step to consolidating its long haul portfolio to reduce development costs, and to provide a lower-cost migration path to secure the installed base while increasing competitiveness in 'greenfield' accounts." "OPTera Long Haul DT addresses all of these goals with lower capex and opex, thanks to improved competitive density and footprint, increased distance without the cost of Raman, tunable lasers to lower sparing costs, and the flexibility of its service-transparent interfaces and upgraded operations tools," Dunphy said. Nortel Networks Corp. Optus Networks Pty. Ltd.