Bermuda Telephone Selects Marconi Multi-Service Platform to Provide High-Speed Internet, Voice, Data and Video.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1999--

Bermuda Telephone is deploying a fiber optic-based telephone network by implementing SONET rings using Marconi Communications' SmartPhotoniX OSR(TM) multi-service SONET multiplexers throughout the island. The platforms will be strategically positioned to serve business and residential subscribers. OSR delivers integrated high-speed Internet access, voice, data and video communications capabilities.

"We have chosen the Marconi multiplexers to provide our island with the ubiquitous transport medium that we will need as we progress our communications capabilities into the next century," said Michael Swan, AVP Network and Technology Planning at Bermuda Telephone. "OSR gives us the scalability we need, so that we can continue to evolve our systems and infrastructure for a long time to come. The flexibility and adaptability of the platform will protect our capital investment as we continue to upgrade our communications network."

The SONET rings on Bermuda will be deployed at the OC-3 line rate. When increased capacity is required, an upgrade, which won't affect service, will be implemented to bring the rings to the OC-12 line rate. Each ring can be used by Bermuda Telephone to deliver a number of services through the OSR platform, including high-speed PRI ISDN data communications, local area network (LAN) connections using 10Base-T Ethernet, Internet Protocol (IP) communications, virtual private networks (VPNs) for businesses or large organizations, and direct connectivity to an Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) backbone.

Marconi Communications has partnered with The Lewis Group of Matawan, N.J., which is serving as the systems integrator on the contract. All engineering, furnishing and installation will be performed by the Lewis Group.

Marconi Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of GEC (GEC is not affiliated with General Electric Company in the United States), a world leader in smart broadband optical networks, access equipment, switching technology for the Internet and network integration. GEC's recent acquisition of U.S.-based FORE Systems has positioned the company to be a leading player in the new public network and enterprise markets in addition to its established market leadership in the carrier and operators sphere. It has sales to more than 140 countries, a major presence in Europe, the U.S.A., Africa and the Asia-Pacific Region.