Comcast Selects Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System for Nationwide Backbone Network

Business Wire, Dec 12, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems(R) (NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced that Comcast has selected the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System, the core component of the Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN), for Comcast's integrated national delivery platform for broadband, communications, video entertainment and future cross-platform services.

IP NGN is Cisco's architectural strategy for service providers based on industry standards and a modular blueprint, which specifically supports service innovation, acceleration and differentiation. The IP NGN strategy defines an incremental roadmap towards true service and platform convergence delivering capital benefits, operational efficiencies, availability and scalability.

Comcast selected the Cisco CRS-1 after an intensive and successful trial of the platform's advanced features and functions, with a particular emphasis on continuous systems operation, IP service flexibility, overall scalability, multicast support for digital broadcast video and optical integration. The CRS-1 will serve in a backbone network where the highest levels of availability are required for advanced routing, multicast, IPv6, policy and quality of service (QoS). Cisco will also be providing operational readiness and training programs.

"We are building a nationwide service delivery infrastructure to provide our customers the latest next-generation communication, video and entertainment services," said David M. Fellows, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Comcast Cable. "The Cisco CRS-1 meets our strategic technology needs for continuous system operation, overall network functionality, service flexibility and integrated optical scalability."

Comcast currently provides cable and broadband services to more than 21 million customers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Comcast's customer base includes more than 9.4 million digital video customers, more than 8.1 million high-speed data customers and more than 1.2 million cable phone customers, making Comcast a leader in eight of the top 10 U.S. markets.

"Comcast is continuing to define and construct a world-class convergent network platform for broadband service delivery and we are committed to ensuring the ongoing success of this effort," said Mike Volpi, senior vice president and general manager of routing and service provider technology, Cisco. "IP NGN is our blueprint for cable operator and service provider innovation, acceleration and differentiation -- offering high levels of stability, security, and manageability. With Comcast, we will be collaborating to extend this architectural strategy to meet their national infrastructure needs."

The Cisco CRS-1 is the industry's first carrier-class routing system that seamlessly scales to 92 terabits per second, uniquely meeting the extreme capacity needs of video entertainment delivery today while providing investment protection for the future.

About Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.