Global Enterprise VoIP System to Serve Influx of 'Baby Boomers,' Other New Users
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 31, 2007) - The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has awarded a 10-year contract, valued up to US$300 million, for the SSA's Telephone Systems Replacement Project (TSRP) to a team led by Nortel Government Solutions(1), a U.S. company wholly owned by Nortel(1) (TSX: NT)(NYSE: NT).

The award calls for replacement of the SSA's existing worldwide telephone systems with IP technology to create a converged voice and data network. This network will enable a high-quality citizen service experience through service delivery points designed by Nortel Government Solutions to accommodate an anticipated influx of new users, including retiring, largely Internet-savvy 'baby boomers.'

Expected to be among the world's largest enterprise VoIP implementations, the network will replace existing telephone systems in nearly 1,600 SSA field offices. It will include a 55,000-agent contact center with carrier-class unified messaging and comprehensive interactive voice response (IVR) capabilities. It will also provide extensive security capabilities to protect citizen information and support for disabled users in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. Section 794d).

"The fact that our offering came out on top speaks volumes about our world-class technology, services and performance," said Chuck Saffell, chief executive officer, Nortel Government Solutions. "Drawing from Nortel's comprehensive portfolio of enterprise and service provider VoIP solutions gave us the ability to offer the best solution for a customer and a network of this magnitude."

Moving to a converged voice and data network will enable SSA to expand and improve service levels, consolidate monthly recurring public network service costs and decrease operating and maintenance costs while establishing a platform to support future applications and services.

The Nortel Government Solutions team will provide VoIP hardware, software, integration and deployment services for SSA regional offices, program service centers and field offices. Network operation services, user support and training are also included.

Nortel Government Solutions is already heavily involved in a number of major VoIP transitions for U.S. Government customers worldwide, including the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense.

The Nortel Government Solutions team includes General Dynamics, Black Box Network Services, Shared Technologies, AT&T, York Telecom, High Wire Networks, NetIQ and Pal-Tech.

About Nortel Government Solutions
Nortel Government Solutions is a network-centric integrator, providing the services expertise, mission-critical systems and secure communications that empower government to ensure the security, livelihood, and well being of its citizens. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., Nortel Government Solutions offers a one-stop shop for solutions designed to improve workforce productivity, reduce operating costs, and streamline inter-agency communications. Please visit www.nortelgov.com for more information.

About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.