Nortel Networks will supply Telemóvil, El Salvador's largest wireless operator, with a turnkey solution - including Nortel Networks' Internet FWA system, DMS* digital switching, installation and commissioning - under a three-year contract estimated to be worth US$32 million. Commercial service is scheduled to begin in San Salvador by mid-year.

"We're committed to providing the best communications and Internet services available to El Salvador," said José Maria Coma, general manager, Telemóvil. "Nortel Networks' Internet FWA system will enable us to provide both basic telephony and data services to vast numbers of new subscribers hungry for network access. We will also be able to satisfy the growing demand for advanced Internet services."

"Telemóvil is paving the way for El Salvador to receive the benefits of a new, high-performance Internet," said Martha Béjar, general manager for Nortel Networks in Latin America. "We're working closely with them and with other operators to bring telephony and high-speed Internet access solutions to business and residential customers throughout El Salvador and the rest of Central America."

Nortel Networks' Internet FWA system features a hybrid circuit/packet architecture that can cost-effectively deliver 'always on' Internet connections - at speeds up to 326 kilobits per second (kbps) for small businesses and 163 kbps for residential customers - and wireline-equivalent voice services.

"Our Internet FWA system leverages cutting-edge technology and more than five years of commercial fixed wireless experience to provide one of the fastest, most cost-effective solutions available today for deploying wireline-quality voice services and high-speed Internet access," said John O'Connell, vice-president, wireless access solutions, Nortel Networks.

Using digital radio technology and small, roof or wall-mounted octagonal 'dish' antennas, Nortel Networks' Internet FWA can be installed on a customer's premises in a matter of hours. This can significantly reduce an operator's capital and deployment costs compared to wired solutions requiring weeks or months to install.

Fast, simple installation also means equipment need only be deployed when customers subscribe, as opposed to wired solutions requiring advance installation to attract customers. This makes capital and deployment costs more predictable and manageable for operators, and speeds time to revenue.

Operating at the 3.5 GHz frequency widely allocated for fixed wireless access in Latin America, Asia and Europe, Nortel Networks' Internet FWA is equally adept at serving urban, suburban and rural markets, and easily deployed over a variety of terrain.

Nortel Networks is a global leader in telephony, data, eBusiness, and wireless solutions for the Internet. 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 through Unified Networks* that promise a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at www.nortelnetworks.com.