Versatel Uses Nortel GearVersatel Uses Nortel Gear

Versatel uses Nortel's Metro Ethernet and Packet Optical transport equipment to carry its new triple-play services

November 7, 2005

2 Min Read

AMSTERDAM -- Nortel (NYSE:NT - News; TSX:NT - News) has played an important role in the expansion of Versatel, the Dutch telecommunications company, to a 'triple play' provider of voice, entertainment and broadband services. Versatel is using Nortel's Metro Ethernet and Packet Optical transport solutions to carry its new services.

Under an equipment and services agreement signed earlier in 2005, Nortel has deployed the core of a network that now provides Versatel customers with broadband connectivity up to 20 megabits per second - ten times faster than conventional broadband technology. The services available to Versatel customers over this network include voice (VoIP), TV, Live Eredivisie football, video-on-demand and high-speed Internet access.

The new network was activated in August 2005, delivering live coverage of the Dutch soccer league. The core network's optical and Ethernet capability will help Versatel to deliver Dutch soccer on live pay-TV over the next three years.

"The world of entertainment is now a digital one and that has opened up tremendous opportunities for Versatel, allowing us to add television services to our portfolio," said Aad Beekhuis, chief operating officer of Versatel. "Sport is a proven driver of subscription revenues and our acquisition of soccer broadcast rights is a critical part of our triple play strategy."

"Obviously, with such a high-profile initiative, the reliability and manageability of the network is the highest priority," Beekhuis said. "Nortel has not only provided us with the scaleable, robust infrastructure we require, but is bringing with it extensive expertise in triple play deployments that is critical to the success of this project. In addition, the Nortel infrastructure can easily be expanded to support the growth of our triple play subscriber base."

"Versatel is revolutionising the way people watch sport by combining digital audio and video with the rich information resources of the Internet," said Wim te Niet, vice president, carrier networks, Benelux and Nordics, Nortel. "Nortel is proud of the trust Versatel has placed in our technology and in the ability of our team to deploy the network to very tight deadlines."

Versatel Telecom International N.V.

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