NTT-ME Deploys Force10 E-Series for 10 Gigabit Ethernet Upgrade to Deliver Advanced Voice and...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004

Force10 Networks, the pioneer in high performance switching and routing, today announced that NTT-ME, a strategic subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NYSE:NTT), has

deployed the E-Series in a 10 Gigabit Ethernet core upgrade to provide new advanced services to its growing base of broadband subscribers. The Force10 E600 delivers the reliability and scalability at the network core that allows NTT-ME to extend its WAKWAK broadband service to subscribers across Japan.

"Our rapidly growing base of customers are demanding more advanced, bandwidth-intensive services, prompting our upgrade of the capacity of our network," said Taichi Igarashi, backbone technical engineer at NTT-ME. "The Force10 E600 switch/routers provide the resilient foundation for the reliable delivery of services and the scalability that will enable us to grow into the future."

Introduced in 1999, NTT-ME's WAKWAK service delivers broadband connectivity and advanced applications to home and small office/home office users. As the foundation of NTT-ME's 10 Gigabit Ethernet network, the Force10 E600 enables NTT-ME to expand its WAKWAK service to include such advanced applications as IP telephony, streaming media and telenetworking.

The Force10 E-Series delivers resilient IP switching and routing at line-rate Gigabit and 10 Gigabit speeds. Combining a fully distributed hardware architecture with built-in redundancy and resiliency, the E-Series provides line-rate Gigabit and 10 Gigabit throughput regardless of traffic type or condition. Leveraging these functions, NTT-ME can reliably provide the high quality services its increasing subscriber base demands.

"Japan has successfully spurred the rapid adoption of broadband with low costs and new services, creating a demand for the greater network capacity that 10 Gigabit Ethernet provides," said Andrew Feldman, vice president at Force10 Networks. "The Force10 E-Series delivers both the line-rate performance and resiliency that enables service providers like NTT-ME to increase their service offerings and subscriber base at the same time."

According to the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Japan has more than 13.5 million broadband subscribers, up from 7.8 million in 2002. This rapid adoption is being driven by a combination of the world's fastest speeds and lowest prices. Japan's broadband subscribers pay less than 0.01 percent of their monthly income per 100 kbps of broadband speed.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is the pioneer in high performance switching and routing. Based on a revolutionary system architecture that delivers best-in-class resiliency and massive scalability, Force10's E-Series switch/routers ensure predictable application performance, increase network availability, and reduce operating costs. Today, many of the world's largest Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks depend on Force10 Networks. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.force10networks.com.

Force10, E-Series, EtherScale and FTOS are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.