Development of 3G wireless modems will support Nortel Networks ‘Wings of Light’ strategy, which combines optical, wireless and IP technologies to help operators provide highly reliable, high-speed access to Internet services and applications. 

Nortel Networks recently announced an estimated US$1.8 billion in European UMTS network awards, including a five-year contract with BT Wireless subsidiary BT Cellnet in the United Kingdom, a 12-month build out for Airtel in Spain, and a three-year deal with Xfera, also in Spain. 

“Working with Nortel Networks on UMTS drives Sierra Wireless firmly into a strong global position,” said Andrew Harries, senior vice president, corporate development, Sierra Wireless. “We are currently leading the way in the North American market for 2.5G and 3G wireless modems and are focused on wirelessly enabling notebooks and PDAs. Today’s announcement continues our drive for technology leadership, complete and compelling 3G solutions, and a strong global presence.” 

“As the worldwide industry leading provider of global mobile access solutions, Xircom is paving the way for reliable 3G wireless information access,” said Mike Scullin, vice president, business development, Xircom. “By leveraging our years of experience in the enterprise, we are well positioned to develop the expanded opportunity that 3G brings to the consumer market. Together, Xircom and Nortel Networks will enable the Wireless Internet by promoting the development of next generation, high-speed data devices.” 

Strategy Analytics expects the market for personal digital devices across the United States and Europe to nearly triple in size from US$20.9 billion in 1999 to US$57 billion in 2005.

Sierra Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data communications hardware and software products. Sierra Wireless delivers wireless PC Cards for portable computers, wireless adapters for PDAs, OEM modules for embedded applications and rugged vehicle-mounted wireless systems. Sierra Wireless is the founding member of the WirelessReady* Alliance, an alliance of industry-leading hardware, software and service companies committed to the delivery of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. For more information on Sierra Wireless, visit its Web site at http://www.sierrawireless.com. 

For over a decade mobile professionals around the world have relied on Xircom for access to their information anytime, anywhere. Xircom designs and develops innovative solutions that connect mobile users worldwide to corporate networks, the Internet, intranets and other on-line resources. Xircom sells and supports its products in over 100 countries through distributors, resellers, electronic channels and global OEM partnerships. Headquartered in Thousand Oaks, Calif., with regional headquarters in Belgium, Japan and Singapore, Xircom has 1,900 employees worldwide and trailing four-quarter revenue of US$496 million.  

Nortel Networks is a global Internet and communications leader with capabilities spanning Optical, Wireless, Local Internet and eBusiness. The Company had 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$21.3 billion and serves carrier, service provider and enterprise customers globally. Today, Nortel Networks is creating a high-performance Internet that is more reliable and faster than ever before. It is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet, promising a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at www.nortelnetworks.com.

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Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price and product competition; the dependence on new product development; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the ability of Nortel Networks to make acquisitions and/or integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of consolidations in the telecommunications industry, the uncertainties of the Internet; stock market volatility; the ability of Nortel Networks to recruit and retain qualified employees; and the impact of increased provision of customer financing by Nortel Networks. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the reports filed by Nortel Networks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Nortel Networks disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

*Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks. WirelessReady is a trademark of Sierra Wireless.

 

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