Cable & Wireless Awards Next Generation Network Supply Contract for IP Core to Cisco Systems; Cisco to Provide Flagship Carrier-Class CRS-1 Carrier Routing System

Business Wire, Sept 2, 2005

LONDON -- Cable & Wireless today announced the contract to provide the Internet Protocol (IP) core element for its Next Generation Network (NGN) has been awarded to Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO).

The IP core element of the Cable & Wireless NGN provides the underlying connectivity and resilience required for carrying high capacity IP traffic across the entire network.

Cable & Wireless will deploy 15 Cisco(R) CRS-1 Carrier Routing System routers throughout the UK network, each equipped with Cisco's new carrier grade internet operating system, Cisco IOS(R) XR software.

The Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)-enabled infrastructure utilises an advanced engineering capability to allow Cable & Wireless to meet ever more stringent customer service levels and performance thresholds. This will enable the next stage in broadband and IP technology innovation, including support for carrying voice, video and data services on a single, or converged, network.

Frank Mount, group chief technology officer, Cable & Wireless, said: "Cable & Wireless is leading the transformation of the UK telecom industry by driving the continuing growth in newly provisioned customer services, including higher speed broadband and advanced IP services for residential and business applications. Cisco provided outstanding support to complete the first phase installation of CRS-1 routers to meet our go live date for the network."

Mike Volpi, senior vice president, routing technology, Cisco Systems, said: "With Cable & Wireless' strong commitment to the global telecommunications industry extending to the consumer broadband services market, it is more critical than ever to have the right foundation to support growth in new voice, video and data services. We are pleased that Cable & Wireless has selected Cisco CRS-1 for the core of its Next Generation Network transformation and look forward to working to support its progressive network development."

Further tenders for other key elements of the network, including optical network and voice over IP infrastructure, will be issued in due course.

Cable & Wireless announced its Next Generation Network plan on 20 April 2005. For full details please go to www.cw.com/media_events/media_centre/releases/2005/04_20_2005_24.html.> Notes to Editors

This contract is the latest to be announced by Cable & Wireless. The metro Ethernet element of NGN was awarded to Tellabs on 26 May, enabling the first stage on the network to go live in London on 19 August 2005.

Cable & Wireless announced in April its GBP 190 million investment in its own NGN to transform its entire core and edge network, the second largest in the UK, to next generation topology. The benefits will include an enhanced ability to offer market-leading IP services; reduce operating costs; accommodate significant growth in traffic; and give our customers the chance to migrate to new services ahead of the equivalent transformation outlined by BT.

About Cable & Wireless

Cable & Wireless is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It provides fixed and mobile voice, data, IP (Internet Protocol) and broadband services to business and residential customers, as well as services to other telecoms carriers, mobile operators and providers of content, applications and internet services.

Cable & Wireless' principal operations are in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco. For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.