MARCONI UNVEILS IP/MPLS STRATEGY.

Marconi (NASDAQ:MONI) has unveiled its Internet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) Strategy, which enables service providers to build the most scalable, reliable and profitable networks. Marconi's strategy offers IP/MPLS functionality on a complete family of switch-router platforms that scale from 2.5 to 480 Gbps.

Marconi's IP/MPLS Strategy is two pronged. First, it addresses core infrastructures with highly scalable and reliable solutions for both new and evolving IP deployments and for evolving current multiservice networks. Second, it addresses the network edge by adding new revenue-generating IP/MPLS services, such as IP/MPLS Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and MPLS transparent LAN services (TLS). To execute on this strategy, Marconi relies on its widely-deployed IP software, its experience implementing the world's largest connection-oriented networks and its important contributions in the standards committees.

"Unlike point products that are anchored to a particular technology, Marconi's multi-platform MPLS strategy addresses both legacy and next-generation IP networks," said Nancee Ruzicka, program manager at the Yankee Group. "In addition, Marconi can offer both legacy multiservice and/or next-generation IP infrastructure from a single platform, which can reduce overlay network costs and provide a longer asset life."

For service providers looking to protect their ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), FR (Frame Relay), and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) service revenue while building out new services in the same network, Marconi provides a smooth, migration to an MPLS infrastructure that supports both their profitable legacy services and future revenue-generating IP/MPLS services. Unique in the industry, Marconi's entire switch-router line, scaling from 2.5 Gbps to 480 Gbps, has the ability to switch and route IP, MPLS (Label Edger Router and Label Switch Router) and ATM simultaneously. With Marconi's strategy, service providers are able to adjust the role of Marconi's switch-routers in their network to accommodate their timeframe for evolution to a multiservice IP network.

For service providers wanting to evolve or deploy new multiservice IP networks, Marconi offers a highly scalable, reliable and predictable IP and MPLS core infrastructure. Marconi's BXR-48000 multiservice core switch-router supports multiservice functions, such as IP routing and MPLS switching (Label Edge Router and Label Switch Router). In addition, the BXR-48000 is a true core router with packet-only interfaces, a distributed forwarding table, central route processing and payload agnostic fabric, making it ideal for multiservice IP cores. The BXR-48000 also supports IP services with SLAs (Service Level Agreements); with the PWE3 working group's definition for transport of legacy services; and with carrier-class reliability through one-to-one hardware redundancy and non-service impacting software upgrades.

The strategy combines Marconi's field-proven IP routing expertise with a proven track record of industry-leading connection-oriented functions critical in an MPLS infrastructure. Marconi also leverages its successful participation in the major MPLS interoperability tests over the last 18 months and its contributing positions in major MPLS standards bodies, such as the MPLS Forum, IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), ATM Forum and ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union). In addition, Marconi's MPLS strategy is informed by the experience of having successfully implemented two of the largest connection-oriented IP networks in the world.

"We are one of the first-to-market with standards-based IP/MPLS functionality on a range of 2.5, 10 and 40 Gbps legacy multiservice switch routers," said Tom Murray, vice president of product marketing for Marconi's Broadband Routing & Switching group. "Now, we are about to offer it on our new 480 Gbps BXR-48000 switch router. Customers are pleased to see we are using the same code stream across all of these platforms as this simplifies end-to-end service engineering, shortens lab qualification periods, and significantly reduces their operations costs."

Technical Notes

The BXR-48000 is Marconi's next-generation, packet-based multiservice core switch router. The BXR enables service providers to redefine service differentiation for new predictable IP services, as well as simultaneously support existing multiservice offerings on one versatile platform. A multiservice platform that will scale from 40 to 480 Gbps (80 to 960 Gbps in router terminology) the BXR is carrier-class, single-stage, deterministically non-blocking. It concurrently and natively supports connectionless IP routing, MPLS and ATM switching. The BXR's high capacity and port density also allows service providers to scale their existing networks and achieve significant reductions in capital and operational expenditure, thereby improving net work profitability.

About Marconi plc

Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company headquartered in London. The company's core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access technologies and services. The company's aim is to help fixed and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and increase revenues.

The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest telecommunications operators. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq under the symbol MONI.

Marconi can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.marconi.com/.

For more information, call 724/742-6377.