Western Wireless Corporation to Converge Multiple Networks for Cost Savings, Simplification, and Flexibility

Business Wire, August 30, 2004

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Nortel Networks Multiservice Switch to Enhance Reliability for Wireless Services in Rural America

Western Wireless Corporation (Nasdaq:WWCA), a leading provider of rural wireless communications services and operator of Cellular One(R), expects to realize significant network simplification and operating cost reductions through the deployment of a converged wireless packet core network designed and implemented by Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT).

Under an agreement announced today, Nortel Networks will deploy Passport 15000 Multiservice Switches to help Western Wireless Corporation converge multiple wireless technologies (CDMA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/AMPS) and internal networks onto a single, highly-reliable ATM-based core transport network. This new converged network will provide Western Wireless Corporation with a higher degree of network reliability, a greatly simplified network architecture, and a migration path to planned third generation (3G) services.

"With the speed at which today's wireless technologies and services are changing, it was important that our network infrastructure be as efficient, flexible, and reliable as possible," said Jerry Baker, senior vice president of engineering and technical operations at Western Wireless Corporation. "By using Nortel Networks Passport Multiservice Switching solution, we will not only gain cost efficiencies through network consolidation, but we will have the ability to leverage this same infrastructure as we move to 3G services in the near future."

"Nortel Networks is enabling wireless operators like Western Wireless to transform their business model by converging parallel wireless networks onto a single packetized core," said Sue Spradley, president, Wireline Networks, Nortel Networks. "This network transformation provides a foundation for deployment of innovative services that can help position wireless operators to drive increased revenue opportunities and reduced customer churn."

As a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.3 million customers across 19 states in the western United States, Western Wireless Corporation provides roaming capabilities for a variety of major national wireless operators using CDMA, GSM/GPRS, and TDMA/AMPS technologies.

Western Wireless Corporation previously built multiple overlay networks in order to support a variety of wireless services for its customers. These overlays included: an IP (Internet Protocol) and Frame Relay based network for 2G and CDMA2000 1XRTT wireless data services; leased lines and microwave facilities to support switch trunking and cell site traffic; separate facilities for GSM and GPRS roaming; and separate networks for SS7 traffic and the corporate IT needs of the wireless carrier.

The new ATM-based Passport network is expected to provide improved network reliability, and will help position Western Wireless Corporation to seamlessly deploy future broadband wireless technologies. Nortel Networks Passport Multiservice wide area networking (WAN) portfolio supports all current and future 2, 2.5 and 3G technologies and applications, which will allow Western Wireless Corporation to focus on business strategies and new revenue generating opportunities.

The Western Wireless Corporation selection of Nortel Networks to provide this new packet core network builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Western Wireless Corporation and Nortel Networks have deployed analog, TDMA and CDMA networks across the western United States for more than 13 years. Nortel Networks is also the sole U.S. supplier of the Western Wireless Corporation GSM/GPRS roaming network.

Nortel Networks Passport multiservice switching portfolio is deployed with more than 20 major wireless operators around the world, delivering proven reliability for wireless packet networking solutions across GSM/GPRS/UMTS, TDMA and CDMA/CDMA2000 technologies. Passport's ability to support multiple networking technologies over a reliable multiservice switching platform provides wireless operators with a flexible infrastructure that can evolve with them from 2G to 3G services and beyond.

About Western Wireless Corporation and Cellular One

Western Wireless Corporation, owner of the Cellular One(R) brand, is a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.3 million customers in the western United States. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Western Wireless Corporation operates wireless cellular phone systems and company-owned retail stores in 19 western states under the Western Wireless(R) and Cellular One brand names. Western Wireless Corporation also licenses the Cellular One brand name to wireless service providers in 16 additional states and the Caribbean. Cellular One has been one of America's most recognized wireless brands for more than 20 years. For more information about Western Wireless Corporation, visit WesternWireless.com. Information on Cellular One may be found at CellularOne.com.