Kaohsiung City Selects Nortel Networks to Provide Wireless Mesh Network Solution; New Public Wireless Network Expected to Offer Convenient Access to Information, Services

Business Wire, Oct 19, 2004

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The southern city of Kaohsiung has selected eASPNet Taiwan Inc., a Nortel Networks channel partner and joint venture company, to provide a secure, reliable public wireless local area network (LAN) based on an advanced Wireless Mesh Network solution from Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT).

Nortel Networks Wireless Mesh Network solution features an enhanced LAN architecture that is designed to go beyond traditional Wi-Fi hot spots to provide secure wireless coverage indoors and outdoors throughout an urban area or large campus.

The first phase of this build out of this new wireless network is expected to be completed by December 14, 2004 in three Kaohsiung districts - Chien Chin, Hsin Hsing and Ling Ya.

"The wireless platform we are implementing for Kaohsiung City Government will enable public access to comprehensive information on a wide range of government services, such as consumer affairs, firefighting, infrastructure construction, online learning, police assistance, transport and travel updates, as well as art and recreation," said Tony Wu, chief operations officer, eASPNet. "We will work closely with the Kaohsiung city administration to introduce to residents innovative broadband wireless services and help users fully realize the potential of wireless mesh networking by delivering voice, video and interactive multimedia services in one seamless communication session."

"In addition, the increase in coverage enabled by this wireless network will support new business opportunities in software applications," Wu said. "And when this project is operational, Kaohsiung will be a mobile city, underscoring our continuing commitment to supporting the government in its pursuit of its 'M-Taiwan' vision."

"We are extremely pleased to work with eASPNet on this milestone project," said Jackson Wu, managing director, Nortel Networks Taiwan. "Our Wireless Mesh Network solution will enable a common public wireless LAN platform for Kaohsiung firefighters, building contractors, news services, police, and transport organizations, providing more efficient use of resources as well as the convenience of integrated wireless communications."

The first phase of this project will include development of network core facilities and deployment at City Hall, City Council, Hsin Kong Pier and the Kaohsiung Culture Center. Additionally, the City plans to have traffic lights and light poles available for wireless mesh deployment in Chien Chin, Hsin Hsing and Ling Ya. eASPNet expects to complete phase two of the project within six months of contract signing, bringing the total network build out and wireless broadband service coverage area to 80 percent.

Nortel Networks Wireless Mesh Network solution for Kaohsiung includes Nortel Networks Wireless Access Point 7220 and Wireless Gateway 7250. This solution significantly reduces the cost of transporting high-speed wireless data from Wi-Fi networks to broadband networks and allows the city of Kaohsiung to install wireless LANs in areas where it is difficult or cost-prohibitive to run cables. This approach can drastically reduce the complexity and cost of deploying a traditional wireless LAN.

This solution for the city of Kaohsiung also includes Nortel Networks Optivity Network Management System (NMS) to provide centralized facilities for monitoring and managing network operations. The city of Kaohsiung will be positioned to offer such services as geographical information, with plans to integrate the Optivity NMS with services like camera monitoring; vehicle identification; real-time wireless transmission of images from accident sites; and voice over IP (Internet Protocol) and multimedia communications.

For this project, eASPNet will affiliate with some of the leading worldwide IT companies, including Intel, Microsoft, Acer, Hitron, and Kingsbeam.

About eASPNet Taiwan Inc.

eASPNet, a joint venture of Nortel Networks, provides a complete array of Internet Data Center (IDC), Application Service Provider (ASP) and IT Outsource Service that enterprises can rely on. eASPNet's high speed and fully redundant network connected with its IDC offers a wide range of superior solutions. eASPNet's 4 pillar services include Hosting Service, Value-Added Network Service Center, Solution Integration and Outsourcing Service. Enterprises may locate business at eASPNet, who will assist enterprises to open the world of Internet opportunities and take advantages of eASPNet's one-stop eBusiness and eOutsourcing services.

About Nortel Networks

As a global innovation leader, Nortel Networks enriches consumer and business communications worldwide by offering converged multimedia networks that eliminate the boundaries among voice, data and video. These networks use innovative packet, wireless, voice and optical technologies and are underpinned by high standards of security and reliability. For both carriers and enterprises, these networks help to drive increased profitability and productivity by reducing costs and enabling new business and consumer services opportunities. Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel Networks on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com or www.nortelnetworks.com/media_center.>