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August 7, 2001
SMARTCOM PCS, Nortel Networks to Deploy 3G Wireless Network in Chile
Plans Include Extended Coverage, Evolution to 1XRTT for Wireless Internet Services
SANTIAGO, Chile – SMARTCOM PCS is expanding service coverage and preparing for evolution to a third generation (3G) high-performance wireless network under an estimated US$12 million agreement with Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT].
This follows a two-year, US$65 million agreement signed late last year, and includes supply and installation of cdmaOne* and cdma2000 1XRTT radio base station equipment and related network infrastructure. “Our main objective was to improve the quality of wireless communications for our customers in terms of better coverage and new, innovative services,” said Jaime Gros, general manager, SMARTCOM PCS. “Nortel Networks CDMA solution has provided us with one of the most advanced wireless infrastructures in Latin America, allowing our customers to take advantage of the latest voice and data wireless services available today.” Nortel Networks will implement for SMARTCOM PCS the first phase of cdma2000 digital radio technology, called 1XRTT. cdma2000 1XRTT is designed to significantly increase voice capacity, and to support data transmission speeds up to 144 kilobits per second, ten times the speed commonly available today. “As the company that is building the new, high-performance Wireless Internet, Nortel Networks is well positioned to provide its customers with solutions that will deliver leading-edge services,” said Juan Gutierrez, managing director for Nortel Networks in the Southern Cone. “We are working closely with SMARTCOM PCS in evolving their network to meet the needs of a new generation of wireless users in Chile, one of the most competitive telecom markets in Latin America.” SMARTCOM PCS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Endesa España, which is the main investor in Auna, the second largest telecommunications operator in Spain, present in all the main business lines of the sector. Its holdings in mobile telephony, fixed telephony, Internet, cable operators and terrestrial digital TV are grouped under Endesa Telecomunicaciones, S.A., with more than four million customers in Spain and forecasting a 15 percent market share. Endesa is one of the largest electricity companies in the world. Its activities include generating, transporting, distributing, commercializing and trading electricity in 12 countries on three continents, and the company has more than 22 millions customers. Visit us at www.smartcom.cl. Nortel Networks is a global leader in networking and communications solutions and infrastructure for service providers and corporations. The Company is at the forefront of transforming how the world communicates, exchanges information and profits from the high-performance Internet through capabilities spanning the Optical Internet, Wireless Internet, Intelligent Internet and IP (Internet Protocol) technologies and services. Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries and can be found on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com. 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 impact of price and product competition; the dependence on new product development; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the ability of Nortel Networks to make acquisitions and/or integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; 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; the uncertainties of the Internet; stock market volatility; the ability of Nortel Networks to recruit and retain qualified employees; the ability to obtain timely, adequate and reasonably priced component parts from suppliers and internal manufacturing capacity; the impact of the credit risks of our customers; the entrance by Nortel Networks into an increased number of supply, turnkey, and outsourcing contracts which contain delivery, installation, and performance provisions, which, if not met, could result in Nortel Networks having to pay substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the impact of increased provision of customer financing and commitments by Nortel Networks; potentially higher costs actually incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions; and the inherent uncertainties underlying the estimates and assumptions used in calculating asset valuations. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the reports filed by Nortel Networks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 and the Globemark, are trademarks of Nortel Networks. cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group. cdma2000 is a trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).Contact for Press and Analysts:
Ernesto Ortiz
Nortel Networks
954-851-8886
urtiga@nortel.com
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