BOSTON - Widener University of Chester, Penn., has selected a Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT] enterprise solution to power its new integrated voice, video and data network.

Challenged by its incumbent supplier's market withdrawal to quickly replace core network equipment, Widener selected the Nortel Networks Passport* 8600 (formerly Accelar* 8600) routing switch following a comprehensive, six-week competitive analysis. Criteria included switch and routing performance, network management capabilities, staffing impact, vendor longevity, and vendor willingness to work strategically with the University.

"During an extensive comparative test in our lab, based on 75 criteria, we were able to 'break' each product except for Nortel Networks Passport 8600," said Gary Habermann, director of Information Technology, Widener University.

"If you compare each product feature for feature and let the machinery speak for itself, I don't see how anything else but the 8600 will sell in the enterprise market," Habermann said. "The Passport 8600 is a complete and quality package. Nortel Networks got it right, and is three to five years ahead of the competition."

"We're thrilled to be working closely with Widener as they move to replace their networks," said Bill Conner, president, Enterprise Solutions, Nortel Networks. "The quality of the Passport 8600 is an example of our commitment to customers, and the 8600 is at the core of our strategy in the enterprise space."

The Widener network underscores the University's vision to maximize technology to enhance the educational environment. This includes use of multimedia applications such as streaming video, voice over IP, desktop videoconferencing and distance learning. The University also plans to use its network to increase efficiency of computer-controlled heating, air conditioning and security.

"Our network is designed to be the lifeblood of the school," Habberman said. "One of the key elements we like about Nortel Networks is the company's willingness to work closely with us to determine the future of our new technology initiatives."

Using a common fiber optic infrastructure, Widener will use the Passport 8600 Layer 3 switch and Business Policy Switch for prioritizing LAN IP traffic to move 3.9 terabytes of data each day across its network, which spans three campuses in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The University will manage its network using Nortel Networks Optivity* network management software. Through its Widener Integrated Network Services (WINS), it will also use Optivity to manage the Delaware County Education Network, consisting of 12 school districts in the Delaware county area. This network serves more than 300 buildings and 100,000 devices.

The Nortel Networks Passport 8600 routing switch delivers wire-speed switching and routing over copper and optical media. It supports a high-performance Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching architecture that delivers 50 to 128 gigabits per second scalable bandwidth and supports Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Packet-over-SONET and ATM interfaces. Passport 8600 also includes Nortel Networks Open IP Environment module, which enhances interoperability and performance across the network. Available now in either a 6- or 10-slot chassis, Passport 8600 is used in campus and building backbone networks, and in service provider metro applications requiring higher performance, routing or MAN connectivity.

Scheduled for global availability in August, the Business Policy Switch is part of Nortel Networks' Business Series. Targeted to the rapidly growing small and medium business market, it addresses telephony, data and eBusiness applications. Through the Business Policy Switch, customers will be able to prioritize all LAN IP traffic - voice, data and video - down to the application or individual URL level, maximizing availability of toll quality voice and high reliability of mission-critical data applications.

Widener, founded in 1821, is a private, comprehensive university. Programs are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences; the Schools of Business Administration, Engineering, Hospitality Management, Human Service Professions, and Nursing; and University College. Its 105-acre main campus is located in Chester, 10 miles from Philadelphia. It also has campuses in Harrisburg, Penn., and Wilmington, Del.

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.

*Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks logo, the Globemark, Passport, Accelar and Optivity are trademarks of Nortel Networks.