Nortel networks receives PacketCable Media Gateway Controller qualification status.

CableLabs, a non-profit research and development consortium representing the cable industry, has awarded PacketCable Media Gateway Controller (MGC) qualification to Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT) Succession Communication Server (CS) 2000,

"We thank Nortel Networks for its support of PacketCable and CableLabs," said Ed Miller, vice president, Advanced Network Systems, CableLabs. "We also congratulate them for achieving this latest qualification status."

PacketCable is a CableLabs-led initiative that defines a common platform to deliver advanced, real-time communication services such as voice over Internet Protocol. Nortel Networks Succession CS 2000 was successfully tested in CableLabs Certification Wave 28 for compliance against the latest PacketCable Trunking Gateway Control Protocol (TGCP) and security specifications which define the core functional requirements of PacketCable 1.0 Media Gateway Controllers.

"PacketCable MGC qualification will enable our cable customers to use Trunk Gateway Control Protocol (TGCP) between Nortel Networks softswitches and PacketCable qualified media gateways," said Sue Spradley, president, Wireline Networks, Nortel Networks. "PacketCable MGC qualification marks yet another milestone in Nortel Networks cable strategy to deliver proven, interoperable and compliant solutions that enable innovative cable applications and directly address the fundamental challenges cable operators face today."

PacketCable architecture defines generic functions across the cable VoIP solution. In the softswitch core, PacketCable defines two functions: Call Management Server (CMS), which is responsible for delivering call control and call feature functionality, and MGC, which is responsible for the interface and management of communication with all gateways in the network. Nortel Networks Succession CS 2000 provides both CMS and MGC functionality.

In July 2003, Nortel Networks Succession CS 2000 received PacketCable CMS qualification in Certification Wave 26. This new MGC milestone completes PacketCable 1.0 qualification for Nortel Networks softswitch.

Nortel Networks provides comprehensive, integrated, cable solutions spanning video and video on demand, voice and multimedia communications, high-speed data services, managed network services for business customers and next generation access. Nortel Networks is committed to delivering a cable portfolio based on industry specifications- like PacketCable-to drive reduced interoperability costs and speed deployment. As of March 31, 2004, Nortel Networks equipment is providing service to more than 4.9 million cable telephony lines globally. More information about Nortel Networks Cable Strategy can be found on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com/cable.

CableLabs' PacketCable initiative seeks to foster multi-vendor product interoperability for cable VoIP and cable multimedia over IP applications through the development of interoperable interface specifications and the execution of a high quality certification/qualification testing program around those specifications. More information about PacketCable is found at www.packetcable.com.

Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on transforming how the world communicates and exchanges information. The Company is supplying its service provider and enterprise customers with communications technology and infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and multimedia services spanning Wireless Networks, Wireline Networks, Enterprise Networks, and Optical Networks. As a global company, Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries.