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August 18, 2003
Centennial Dominicana Selects Nortel Networks to Supply 3G Wireless Data Network
CDMA2000 1X Network to Boost Capacity, Expand Wireless Coverage, Support Data Services
WALL, N.J. – Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: CYCL) has selected Nortel Networks* (NYSE/TSX: NT) to supply a third generation (3G) wireless data network for Centennial’s Dominican Republic operations, Centennial Dominicana, a leading telecom service provider in the Dominican Republic. Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2003, the new network will provide leading-edge wireless voice and data services throughout the island.
Under an agreement announced today, Nortel Networks will replace Centennial Dominicana’s existing CDMA 3G network with a complete CDMA2000 1X 3G solution including access and core networking equipment. The new network is expected to significantly increase capacity and improve coverage and delivery of wireless data services. The agreement also includes Nortel Networks wireline switching solutions. “We are very excited about this deal, which will enable all of our cell sites to support 3G and maintain the most modern, technologically advanced, and highest capacity wireless network in the Dominican Republic,” said Michael Small, chief executive officer, Centennial Communications. “These improvements to our wireless network will allow us to accommodate rapid subscriber growth, position us to double our switch capacity, and allow us to further expand our 3G service availability throughout the Dominican Republic.” “Once our wireless network is operating fully on 3G technology, our individual and business customers on the Island can expect improved coverage areas offering superior service experiences,” Small said. “We are working closely with Centennial, one of the region’s most innovative operators, to help them evolve and expand their wireless network to meet growing subscriber demand and to deliver the latest data services,” said Dion Joannou, president, Caribbean and Latin America, Nortel Networks. “This agreement further strengthens our leadership position in providing advanced telecommunications solutions for the Caribbean region.” “Leading wireless operators around the world continue to turn to Nortel Networks to meet their 3G networking needs,” said Steve Slattery, vice president and general manager, CDMA/TDMA, Wireless Networks, Nortel Networks. “Our wireless infrastructure technology is designed to help operators boost capacity, reduce costs, and deliver new data offerings.” A CDMA leader since 1995, Nortel Networks has designed, installed and launched networks – including more than 35,000 ‘3G-ready’ base stations as of March 31, 2003 – for more than 65 CDMA customers in 17 countries. Nortel Networks is implementing CDMA2000 1X networks for leading customers around the world, including: Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS in the United States; Bell Mobility and TELUS Mobility in Canada; and SMARTCOM PCS in Chile. Nortel Networks is the only supplier with Wireless Data Networks operating in all three advanced technologies – GPRS, CDMA2000 and UMTS. In the Caribbean, Nortel Networks is providing Wireless Data Networks for customers like Cable & Wireless, Bahamas Telecommunications Company and TSTT (Trinidad and Tobago). Centennial is one of the largest independent wireless telecommunications service providers in the United States and the Caribbean with approximately 17.3 million Net Pops and approximately 939,500 wireless subscribers. Centennial’s U.S. operations have approximately 6.1 million Net Pops in small cities and rural areas. Centennial’s Caribbean integrated communications operation owns and operates wireless licenses for approximately 11.2 million Net Pops in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and provides voice, data, video and Internet services on broadband networks in the region. Welsh, Carson Anderson & Stowe and an affiliate of the Blackstone Group are controlling shareholders of Centennial. For more information regarding Centennial, please visit our websites at www.centennialwireless.com,** www.centennialpr.com** and www.centennialrd.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. More information about Nortel Networks 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 severity and duration of the industry adjustment; the sufficiency of our 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; fluctuations in operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations in cash flow, the level of outstanding debt and debt ratings; the ability to meet financial covenants contained in our credit agreements; the ability to make acquisitions and/or 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; 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 dependence on new product development; the uncertainties of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of our customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; stock market volatility; the entrance into an increased number of supply and outsourcing contracts which contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the ability to obtain timely, adequate and reasonably priced component parts from suppliers and internal manufacturing capacity; the future success of our strategic alliances; and the adverse resolution of litigation. 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. 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 and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks. **This is a 3rd party link as described in our Web linking practices. Contact for Press and Analysts:Ferngene Kook
Nortel Networks
(954) 858-7101
fkook@nortel.com
Jay Barta
Nortel Networks
(972) 685-2381
jbarta@nortel.com
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