TOKYO -- NEC Corporation announced today the signing of a multi million-dollar contract with a purchaser consortium of eleven telecommunications carriers for upgrading the PanAmerican Cable System. This cable system connects the west coast of South America and the Caribbean through Panama. The eleven purchasers in alphabetical order are; ANTELECOM, AT&T, Cable Andino, C&W Panama, CNT, CANTV, EMBRATEL, ENTEL Chile, SETAR, Telecom Colombia and TELMEX.

The PanAmerican cable was first installed in 1999. In response to the rising transmission demands in the region, when completed, the upgrade will give a dramatic boost to regional capacities of multiple 10Gbps wavelengths.@@

gThis upgrade will enable the PanAmerican cable to maintain its extreme importance throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. We are very happy to rely on NECfs accumulated experience and expertise in this region,h said Augusto R. Sanchez, Chairman for PanAmerican Upgrade #1 Working group.

gThis upgrade is indeed a significant step for NEC, as we are demonstrating again our capabilities to meet with expectations for high-quality products and services from a series of demanding clients,h commented Osamu Harada, General Manager of NECfs Submarine Networks.

The upgrade is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

NEC Corp. (Tokyo: 6701)