Banks, Small Businesses to Benefit from High-Performance Internet

DALLAS, May 24 /PRNewswire/ - United Communications Systems International (UCSI) has selected Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSE: NT) to provide a broadband wireless access network in major cities across the Republic of Ghana under a four-year contract estimated to be worth more than US$180 million.

UCSI plans to use Nortel Networks' Reunion broadband wireless access solution to provide Ghana with high-speed Internet access, along with other voice and data services. Targeting the banking industry as well as small and medium-sized businesses, UCSI also intends to provide reliable telephone service at rates below those of the incumbent operator.

``UCSI is delivering the high-performance Internet to Western Africa by bringing services not previously available to Ghana,'' said Charles W. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer, United Communications Systems International. ``Working with Nortel Networks, we will make significant strides to narrow the digital divide for the people of Ghana, allowing consumers and businesses to leverage the benefits of high-speed access and reliable voice service.''

Nortel Networks is a global leader in broadband wireless access with awards this year alone in this market totaling more than US$400 million from operators in Germany, Portugal, the United States and Ghana.

``This is another example of Nortel Networks helping operators address the growing global need for robust, reliable voice, data and Internet services,'' said Mark Rau, vice president and general manager, broadband wireless access, Nortel Networks. ``The recent deregulation in Ghana will allow UCSI to offer these services to business users at a reduced cost.''

UCSI has begun initial installation of this network which will include switching elements, fiber optic cable, point-to-point microwave and the first deployment of Nortel Networks' Reunion broadband wireless access equipment in Africa.

Nortel Networks' Reunion broadband wireless access portfolio helps to close the cost and capacity gap between fiber optic and copper cable solutions for delivery of high-quality voice and high-speed, high-capacity data, video and Internet services. Nortel Networks' Reunion systems provide 'first mile' access from customer premises to public networks for high-bandwidth, carrier grade service using point-to-multipoint radio operating at frequencies from 24 to 42 GHz.

Designed for quick and easy installation, Nortel Networks' Reunion solutions speed time-to-market, positioning operators to realize timely return on investment. Available solutions are ATM (asynchronous transfer mode)-based, and feature flexible, cost-effective TDMA (time division multiple access) technology for small businesses and single tenant buildings, or FDMA (frequency division multiple access) technology for multi-tenant buildings and businesses requiring dedicated bandwidth.

Nortel Networks is a global leader in telephony, data, eBusiness, and wireless solutions for the Internet. The company had 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$21.3 billion and serves carrier, service provider and enterprise customers globally. Today, Nortel Networks is creating a high-performance Internet that is more reliable and faster than ever before. It is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet through Unified Networks that promise a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at www.nortelnetworks.com.