LONDON -- Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT - News; TSX:NT - News) and Cogent, a UK-based systems integrator focused on military networks, will deliver a multiservice packet-based transport infrastructure as part of a next generation military satellite network for the government of the United Kingdom. The satellite network - known as Skynet 5 - is expected to provide a secure, reliable and robust communications infrastructure for UK armed forces throughout the world.

The packet network will provide UK armed forces with a highly reliable and robust method for delivering mission critical voice and data communications. Nortel Networks multiservice switches are being deployed directly in military vehicles and ships to guarantee the voice quality of communications by minimizing compression delay and echo typically associated with satellite communications by providing sophisticated bandwidth management and a comprehensive suite of voice processing functionality.

"Skynet 5 required a multiservice communications solution that delivers secure, carrier grade, reliable end-to-end transport for battlefield voice and data traffic," said Ian Griffiths, director, Communications and Information Networks UK, Cogent. "The decision to choose Nortel Networks multiservice switches to build the Skynet 5 network is a clear demonstration of the successful relationship between Nortel Networks and Cogent in the delivery of such systems."

"To meet the stringent needs of supplying networking solutions to the military, the technology must provide high service availability from the start," said Darryl Edwards, president, northern region, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Nortel Networks. "Nortel Networks telephony and multiservice switching solutions provide a high level of reliability and security, and are capable of supporting mission-critical applications in military environments."

Nortel Networks Ltd.