Newbridge Multi-Services Platform Plays Key Role in Cable & Wireless' $1 Billion Push into Europe.

KANATA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1998--

Fully Managed Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Network to Span 40 European Cities

Newbridge Networks (NYSE:NN) (TSE:NNC) today announced that it has been selected to provide a high-capacity, multi-service, multi-access asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network infrastructure for the initial stage of Cable & Wireless' five-year $1 billion push into Europe. The highly scalable, fully managed, network infrastructure will span 40 cities in 13 countries, enabling Cable & Wireless to offer carriers and corporate customers highly competitive, advanced communications services across mainland Europe.

"This is a time of investment and expansion for Cable & Wireless," said David Wickham, Chief Executive, Global Network, Cable & Wireless. "Working with a global supplier such as Newbridge Networks enables us to consolidate our European traffic onto one, unified network platform, which significantly reduces our operating costs and distinguish us from our competitors. In addition to providing us with a competitive edge, Newbridge Networks' experience working with service providers and large businesses has assisted us in the planning and implementation of this next-generation network."

"Newbridge is delighted to be working with Cable & Wireless on this major expansion project throughout Europe," added John Everard, President, Newbridge Networks, Europe. "Cable & Wireless' investment in Newbridge solutions underscores our position to provide global, multi-service, multi-access, next-generation networks."

The new European ATM infrastructure is comprised of the industry leading Siemens / Newbridge MainStreetXpress(tm) 36170 MultiServices Switch and the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager. More than 300 service providers worldwide use the MainStreetXpress 36170 Multiservices Switch, the industry's only true multi-service, multi-access platform. This powerful networking solution is ideal for delivering a vast array of advanced services, including voice, broadcast quality video, native cell relay, data and Internet Protocol (IP) from a single, unified multi-services platform.

A key benefit of the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager is its ability to centrally monitor and manage multiple-traffic networks. Another feature that distinguishes the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager from other vendor offerings is its capability to provide network partitioning. This unique feature enables carriers to provide Virtual Private Network (VPN) service offerings to a large, diverse customer base. It can also support and manage more than 250,000 service connections simultaneously, and its high scalability allows more than 120 operators to monitor a network at the same time.

Cable & Wireless is the world's leading provider of integrated communications and a major global carrier of communications traffic: Internet, data, voice and video. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning interactive entertainment and information, broadband data, Internet access and broadband television, as well as fixed and mobile voice. With 17 million customers in 70 countries, Cable & Wireless is one of the world's largest carriers of international traffic, provides mobile communications in more than 30 countries and operates the world's largest, most advanced cableship fleet.

Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services networking solutions to organizations in more than 100 countries. The Company leverages its relationship with a growing family of Newbridge Affiliate companies and strategic alliances with Siemens and 3Com Corporation to deliver seamless, end-to-end solutions. Newbridge customers include the world's 300 largest telecommunications service providers and more than 10,000 corporations, government organizations and other institutions. Founded in 1986, the Company employs more than 6,000 people on five continents. News and information are available at www.newbridge.com.

Newbridge, logo are registered trademarks of Newbridge Networks Corporation.

MainStreetXpress is a trademark used by the Siemens / Newbridge alliance for comprehensive solutions in broadband communication. No agency relationship, partnership, or joint ownership of a legal entity is to be inferred or implied by the term alliance.