Western Wireless Corporation to Converge Multiple Networks for Cost Savings, Simplification, and Flexibility.

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Nortel Networks Multiservice Switch to Enhance Reliability for Wireless Services in Rural America

Western Wireless Corporation (Nasdaq:WWCA), a leading provider of rural wireless communications services and operator of Cellular One(R), expects to realize significant network simplification and operating cost reductions through the deployment of a converged wireless packet core network designed and implemented by Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT).

Under an agreement announced today, Nortel Networks will deploy Passport 15000 Multiservice Switches to help Western Wireless Corporation converge multiple wireless technologies (CDMA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/AMPS) and internal networks onto a single, highly-reliable ATM-based core transport network. This new converged network will provide Western Wireless Corporation with a higher degree of network reliability, a greatly simplified network architecture, and a migration path to planned third generation (3G) services.

"With the speed at which today's wireless technologies and services are changing, it was important that our network infrastructure be as efficient, flexible, and reliable as possible," said Jerry Baker, senior vice president of engineering and technical operations at Western Wireless Corporation. "By using Nortel Networks Passport Multiservice Switching solution, we will not only gain cost efficiencies through network consolidation, but we will have the ability to leverage this same infrastructure as we move to 3G services in the near future."

"Nortel Networks is enabling wireless operators like Western Wireless to transform their business model by converging parallel wireless networks onto a single packetized core," said Sue Spradley, president, Wireline Networks, Nortel Networks. "This network transformation provides a foundation for deployment of innovative services that can help position wireless operators to drive increased revenue opportunities and reduced customer churn."

As a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.3 million customers across 19 states in the western United States, Western Wireless Corporation provides roaming capabilities for a variety of major national wireless operators using CDMA, GSM/GPRS, and TDMA/AMPS technologies.

Western Wireless Corporation previously built multiple overlay networks in order to support a variety of wireless services for its customers. These overlays included: an IP (Internet Protocol) and Frame Relay based network for 2G and CDMA2000 1XRTT wireless data services; leased lines and microwave facilities to support switch trunking and cell site traffic; separate facilities for GSM and GPRS roaming; and separate networks for SS7 traffic and the corporate IT needs of the wireless carrier.

The new ATM-based Passport network is expected to provide improved network reliability, and will help position Western Wireless Corporation to seamlessly deploy future broadband wireless technologies. Nortel Networks Passport Multiservice wide area networking (WAN) portfolio supports all current and future 2, 2.5 and 3G technologies and applications, which will allow Western Wireless Corporation to focus on business strategies and new revenue generating opportunities.

The Western Wireless Corporation selection of Nortel Networks to provide this new packet core network builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Western Wireless Corporation and Nortel Networks have deployed analog, TDMA and CDMA networks across the western United States for more than 13 years. Nortel Networks is also the sole U.S. supplier of the Western Wireless Corporation GSM/GPRS roaming network.

Nortel Networks Passport multiservice switching portfolio is deployed with more than 20 major wireless operators around the world, delivering proven reliability for wireless packet networking solutions across GSM/GPRS/UMTS, TDMA and CDMA/CDMA2000 technologies. Passport's ability to support multiple networking technologies over a reliable multiservice switching platform provides wireless operators with a flexible infrastructure that can evolve with them from 2G to 3G services and beyond.

About Western Wireless Corporation and Cellular One

Western Wireless Corporation, owner of the Cellular One(R) brand, is a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.3 million customers in the western United States. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Western Wireless Corporation operates wireless cellular phone systems and company-owned retail stores in 19 western states under the Western Wireless(R) and Cellular One brand names. Western Wireless Corporation also licenses the Cellular One brand name to wireless service providers in 16 additional states and the Caribbean. Cellular One has been one of America's most recognized wireless brands for more than 20 years. For more information about Western Wireless Corporation, visit WesternWireless.com. Information on Cellular One may be found at CellularOne.com.

About Nortel Networks

As a global innovation leader, Nortel Networks enriches consumer and business communications worldwide by offering converged multimedia networks that eliminate the boundaries among voice, data and video. These networks use innovative packet, wireless, voice and optical technologies and are underpinned by high standards of security and reliability. For both carriers and enterprises, these networks help to drive increased profitability and productivity by reducing costs and enabling new business and consumer services opportunities. Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel Networks on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com or www.nortelnetworks.com/mediacenter .

Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the outcome of Nortel Networks independent review and planned restatement or revisions of its previously announced or filed financial results; the impact of the management changes announced on April 28, 2004 and August 19, 2004; the impact of the inability to meet Nortel Networks filing obligations on support facilities and public debt obligations; the sufficiency of Nortel Networks restructuring activities, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions; continued reductions in spending by Nortel Networks customers; fluctuations in Nortel Networks operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; the communication by Nortel Networks auditors of the existence of material weaknesses in internal controls; Nortel Networks ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations in Nortel Networks cash flow, level of outstanding debt and current debt ratings; the use of cash collateral to support Nortel Networks normal course business activities; the dependence on Nortel Networks subsidiaries for funding; the impact of Nortel Networks defined benefit plans and deferred tax assets on results of operations and Nortel Networks cash flows; Nortel Networks dependence on new product development and its ability to predict market demand for particular products; Nortel Networks ability to integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the impact of price and product competition; barriers to international growth and global economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of rationalization in the telecommunications industry; changes in regulation of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of Nortel Networks customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; stock market volatility generally and as a result of acceleration of the settlement date or early settlement of Nortel Networks purchase contracts; the impact of Nortel Networks supply and outsourcing contracts that contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the future success of Nortel Networks strategic alliances; and the adverse resolution of litigation, investigations, intellectual property disputes and similar matters.

For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the most recent Form 10 Q/A and Form 10-K/A filed by Nortel Networks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel Networks disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks logo, the Globemark, Business Without Boundaries and Passport are trademarks of Nortel Networks. Cellular One is a registered service mark of The Cellular One Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.