Nortel Networks to extend KDDI metro optical network nationwide

KDDI, one of Japan's largest telecommunications carriers, has awarded an exclusive contract to Nortel Networks for the expansion of its metro access network infrastructure.

Under this contract, Nortel Networks will build new metro optical rings for KDDI in major cities across Japan. Upon completion, the KDDI metro network is expected to be the largest built in Japan by a single carrier. Oki Electric, a Nortel Networks "Channel Partner," will provide installation and on-going maintenance services.

KDDI's metro network expansion will feature an Optical Ethernet solution based on Nortel Networks' OPTera Metro 3500 Multiservice Platform. It will leverage Nortel Networks' Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) and next-generation SONET technology to connect hundreds of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone) network centers, and to enable delivery of high-speed, high-bandwidth data and wide-area Ethernet services directly to customer premises.

The metro optical rings will connect to KDDI's 10-Gbit/sec DWDM inter-city backbone using Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul 1600 Optical Line System, which was deployed for KDDI under a contract announced in December 2000.

These rings will be used to integrate base station traffic for KDDI's planned CDMA2000 1xEV-DO (1X evolution-data optimized) digital wireless network. With Nortel Networks experience in optical, Internet Protocol and wireless technologies, KDDI will be positioned to drive lower network costs, and to drive new revenues with high-speed, third-generation (3G) data services.

For more information about Tokyo-based KDDI, visit the company's Web site at www.kddi.com.

Additional information about Nortel Networks (Ottawa, Ontario) may be found on the company's Web site at www.nortelnetworks.com.