www.nortel.com

PTK Centertel, Poland's leading wireless operator, has selected Nortel as a key supplier of third generation (3G) radio equipment to upgrade its wireless access network across Southern Poland.

Based on a new supply agreement, Nortel will provide UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) equipment and professional services to Centertel, enabling the company to deliver a broad range of data services to its customers like e-mail with large attachments, Internet browsing, personalized content, music and video downloading, streaming and conferencing.

"Nortel is working closely with leading operators to make 3G a reality across the globe," said Peter MacKinnon, president, GSM/UMTS, Nortel. "Our technology is helping operators like Centertel enhance the customer experience by delivering sophisticated data-based services that will change the way consumers and businesses communicate in the coming years."

Nortel professional services will help Centertel operate the network efficiently and optimize network performance. Nortel will continue to support Centertel with maintenance services, including technical support and repair services following the commercial launch.

Nortel previously supplied the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) wireless access network on which Centertel currently offers voice services in Southern Poland. Centertel has also launched EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution) data services based on Nortel technology in Krakow, Katowice and Wroclaw, and is currently expanding this coverage to new areas. Centertel's EDGE offering complements its UMTS strategy by extending high-speed coverage to a wider area across the region.

The 3G upgrade agreement builds on a seven-year relationship between Nortel and Centertel. Nortel has been a key supplier to the international France Telecom SA/Orange mobile network for more than 15 years, and currently provides wireless equipment for Orange networks in five countries across Europe.

Centertel is an affiliate of Telekomunikacja Polska SA and the France Telecom group. In November 2004, Mobistar selected Nortel to deploy its national 3G wireless access network across Belgium. In September 2003, Orange selected Nortel as one of three radio technology vendors to support its pan-European 3G access network roll-out, which included various regions in France.

Nortel's 3G network equipment is designed to be easily and cost-effectively deployed on top of existing wireless network hardware. Nortel's UMTS solution is HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access)-ready and is designed to easily upgrade to support HSDPA through a software installation. This gives operators the flexibility to cost-effectively upgrade their networks as needed to boost capacity to meet market demand and deliver even faster services. Nortel's 3G radio base stations can be used in mixed GSM/UMTS configurations to further reduce capital and operating expenses.

Nortel has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 70 countries. Nortel was the industry's first supplier with wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies (GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO, UMTS and WLAN), and is the only end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions, as well as edge and core network solutions for IP, ATM and optical transport.