First Digital Wireless Communications System for African Railway Network

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Nortel to Provide GSM-R to Algerian SNTF to Improve Efficiency
and Safety

The Algerian Railways operator SNTF (Société Nationale des
Transports Ferroviaires) has selected Nortel(x) (NYSE/TSX: NT) for
the first phase of SNTF's national GSM-R project to provide a new
wireless communication system that aims to enhance emergency
procedures, improve operational efficiency, increase safety and
reduce the overall cost of its operations. Nortel will deploy a GSM
for Railways (GSM-R) network that will make SNTF the first African
railway operator to adopt the new global GSM-R standard.

The new system will allow train drivers, station controllers and
other railway employees to communicate with each other instantly and
at any time, either individually or as separate groups. In the first
phase of SNTF's GSM-R project awarded to Nortel, the network will be
deployed along the El Gourzi - Touggourt line in Eastern Algeria.

"The international adopted GSM-R standard is a key component to
upgrading the Algerian railway communication infrastructure. It is
part of a much larger railway infrastructure project, including the
construction of new conventional and high speed lines, upgrades of
signalling systems and other railway infrastructure," says Ali
Leulmi, central director of Infrastructures , SNTF. "As a world
leader in GSM-R, Nortel ensures for this first phase along the El
Gourzi - Touggourt line we are equipping our railway service with the
most advanced communication technologies."

"Nortel has been challenged by SNTF to provide for this first
phase of SNTF project a solution that matches the growing need for
communication in a fast expanding network," explains Michel Clement,
president Southern Europe and Africa, Nortel. "This contract is a
result of Nortel's long term commitment to the Algerian market and
our role as a major telecom player in Africa with over 20 years in
the region."

Nortel will provide design and engineering services for SNTF's
GSM-R network from the Nortel Global Services portfolio. Our local
channel partner, SNEF Algeria, will supply construction, installation
and commissioning support. "SNEF and Nortel share the same commitment
to enhancing network quality and reducing the overall cost of
operations," said Vincent Pratlong, Algeria operations director,
SNEF. "Our local experts will work closely with the Algerian railway
SNTF to realise the first GSM-R network on the continent."

With this new contract win, Nortel is the first supplier deploying
GSM-R networks in the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
These include among other networks national deployments in France for
RFF, in Great Britain for Network Rail, and in Germany for Deutsche
Bahn. Nortel supplied as well the high-speed line between Rome and
Naples, Italy for SIRTI. Nortel is also deploying a GSM-R network for
the world's highest rail line, the Tibet-Qinghai high-speed line in
China.

Nortel has been a pioneer in the GSM-R standards process since
1992, and has worked with UIC (Union Internationale des Chemins de
Fer) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute).
Nortel supplied equipment for the MORANE (Mobile Radio for Railways
Networks in Europe) trial and was a major contributor to the EIRENE
(European Integrated Railway radio Enhanced Network) GSM-R standard.

About Nortel

Nortel is a recognised leader in delivering communications
capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power
global commerce, and secure and protect the world's most critical
information. Our next-generation technologies, for both service
providers and enterprises, span access and core networks, support
multimedia and business-critical applications, and help eliminate
today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying
networks and connecting people with information. Nortel does business
in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the
Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit
www.nortel.com/news.

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ots Originaltext: Nortel Networks
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Contact:
For further information: Ben Roome, +44-1628-433113,
Benroome@nortel.com; Isabelle Tadmoury, +33-1-69-55-12-91,
Tadmoury@nortel.com