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March 31, 2003
Nortel Networks Redefines Mobility With WLAN Strategy for Enterprises, Carriers
Products and Supporting Architecture to Set New Benchmark for Security, Wireless Roaming
TORONTO – Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSX: NT] unveiled its comprehensive Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) strategy, leveraging the company’s wireless, wireline and enterprise expertise to redefine mobility.
The company’s strategy is designed to bridge current WLAN challenges by providing mobile professionals and consumers with secure, seamless, wireless roaming capabilities across converging public and private networks, as well as hotspot environments. As part of this strategy, Nortel Networks is announcing a portfolio of WLAN products designed for delivering high-bandwidth voice and data services securely and allowing end users to have anytime, anywhere access to applications such as email, voicemail and unified messaging via a personal computer, handheld device or cell phone. These new products, combined with Nortel Networks existing IP-enabled solutions, will provide mobile enterprise users the same services their desktop counterparts already enjoy. Wireless operators will be positioned to offer secure WLAN hotspot connectivity as an extension to existing data services. Wireline service providers will be positioned to offer revenue-generating services such as wireless digital subscriber line. “Nortel Networks strategy extends far beyond basic WLAN,” said Frank Dunn, president and chief executive officer, Nortel Networks. “It enables users to access information or exchange email via a wireless connection with the assurance of doing so securely and with a consistent networking experience whether sitting in an airport lounge, moving from building to building on a corporate campus or traveling at extreme speed on a train. “We are creating a single, seamless, secure mobile environment that will allow consumers and mobile professionals to access the services and applications they rely on, through their laptop, PDAs and cell phones, wherever and however needed. Nortel Networks shares this vision with other leading technology suppliers, such as Intel, who are embedding the capability of anytime, anywhere access into a wave of new laptops and other devices to better connect users.” “Intel shares Nortel Networks vision of enabling secure anytime, anywhere network access and the increased productivity it provides. Both companies are well-positioned to deliver on the promise of this vision,” said Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager, Intel Communications Group. Nortel Networks solution will embed standards-based wireless platform functionality to ensure critical asset protection for enterprises and carriers. Many current wireless equipment offerings from vendors rely on proprietary standards and after-market add-ons that not only impede network performance, but also limit the functionality and scalability of their networks. “From a technology perspective, the enterprise and service provider WLAN market segments are heading toward conversion,” said Sarah Kim, Wireless/Mobile Technologies analyst at the Yankee Group. “As enterprises begin to scale their WLANs beyond departmental and ‘hotspot’ rollouts, they will demand highly manageable and scalable solutions that provide a seamless, secure user experience with their existing wired infrastructure and, ultimately, with the emerging public WLANs. Nortel Networks is taking a major step forward in delivering a portfolio that addresses this level of integration regardless of how the end user connects to the network.” The suite of products announced today includes: Nortel Networks WLAN Security Switch, WLAN Access Point, WLAN Mobile Adapter and WLAN Mobile Voice Client. These products, which are expected to be generally available in the second quarter of 2003, will enable high-level security and unrestricted mobility to meet enterprise and carrier needs, leveraging their existing wired Ethernet infrastructures and IP backbones. (For more details, see today’s announcement Nortel Networks Launches WLAN Portfolio for Enterprises and Carriers.) These products -- combined with Nortel Networks existing portfolio of IP-enabled solutions, such as Contivity*, Passport*, Shasta*, Succession* and Univity* -- will provide a complete, seamless, manageable mobility solution for enterprises and carriers. Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on transforming how the world communicates and exchanges information. The Company is supplying its service provider and enterprise customers with communications technology and infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and multimedia services spanning Wireless Networks, Wireline Networks, Enterprise Networks and Optical Networks. As a global company, Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries. More information about Nortel Networks can be found on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com. 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 severity and duration of the industry adjustment; the sufficiency of our restructuring activities, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions; fluctuations in operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations in cash flow, the level of outstanding debt and debt ratings; the ability to meet financial covenants contained in our credit agreements; the ability to make acquisitions and/or integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the impact of price and product competition; international growth and global economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of rationalization in the telecommunications industry; the dependence on new product development; the uncertainties of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of our customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; stock market volatility; the entrance into an increased number of supply and outsourcing contracts which contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the ability to obtain timely, adequate and reasonably priced component parts from suppliers and internal manufacturing capacity; the future success of our strategic alliances; and the adverse resolution of litigation. 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. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, 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, the Globemark, Contivity, Shasta, Univity, Succession and Passport are trademarks of Nortel Networks. Contact for Press and Analysts:Pat Cooper
Nortel Networks
(408) 495-9608
pat.cooper@nortelnetworks.com
Jamie Moody
Nortel Networks
(972) 684-7167
moodyjam@nortelnetworks.com
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