IMAS Deploying IP Convergence Solutions from Nortel Networks (email this article)

MADRID, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2004--The Municipal Institute for Health Assistance (IMAS), based in Barcelona is deploying Internet Protocol (IP) convergence solutions from Nortel Networks (Company Profile, Past Stories, Case Studies)(NYSE:NT - News; TSX:NT - News) to upgrade its communication network at the Hospital del Mar and Hospital de la Esperanza.

These solutions will make it possible for IMAS to increase network reliability and expand bandwidth for voice, data and video medical applications at the two health centres while decreasing operating costs. The project, awarded by public tender, is being installed and engineered by systems integrator Landata Ingenieria.

Nortel Networks solutions will converge multiple networks serving the two health centres into a single, packetized network, increasing bandwidth without system downtime for critical image and video applications important to the delivery of medical care. Packet technologies like IP save on infrastructure costs by converting voice, video and data into tiny packets that can be transmitted together over a single, high-speed network, eliminating the need for separate networks.

"Nortel Networks IP convergence solutions allow us to run a single, high-performance network to decrease our operating costs and support voice, data, video and image traffic at the same time," said Ignasi Planas, IT director for IMAS. "We chose Nortel Networks solutions because the reliability of our network is critical to provide the connectivity and bandwidth for our health applications in a consistent, safe and reliable way without any network time delays."

IMAS is deploying Nortel Networks Passport 8600 Routing Switch, a highly-reliable, highly-secure and intelligent core network routing solution, for converged applications and Nortel Networks BayStack 470 Ethernet switches for high-speed, high availability desktop delivery of new applications like providing electronic medical records to nursing workstations.

"Our close relationships with customers and integrators together with our experience in the healthcare sector help us better understand IMAS requirements for its medical professionals and the network support they need to deliver the highest quality patient and family care," said Arturo Pradana, director, Business and Marketing Development, Iberia, Nortel Networks. "Information technology is a critical tool for the healthcare sector and Nortel Networks has the right solutions in place to ensure healthcare providers benefit from the new advanced technologies."

The Municipal Institute for Health Assistance (IMAS) was created in Barcelona in the year 1983, integrating municipal health assistance services pertaining to the Town Hall of Barcelona. The IMAS includes hospital centres such as the Hospital del Mar and the Hospital de la Esperanza, the Psychiatric Institute, the Peracamps Emergency Centre, the Geriatric Centre and a complete series of Primary Assistance Centres (CAPs) and Family Planning and Counselling Centres (COPEs), apart from teaching and investigation centres such as the Municipal Institute for Medical Investigation (IMIM), the IMAS Teaching Unit (in trade-agreement with the University of Barcelona) and the Bonanova College for Professional Training. For more information, visit IMAS on the Web at www.imasbcn.com.

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/media_center.

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.

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