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Monday, 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
ServicesWALL, NEW JERSEY--Centennial Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:CYCL)
has selected Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(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. -30- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Nortel Networks
Ferngene Kook
(954) 858-7101
fkook@nortelnetworks.com
or
Nortel Networks
Jay Barta
(972) 685-2381
jbarta@nortelnetworks.com
or
Centennial Communications Corp.
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
(732) 556-2220
tfitzpatrick@centennialcorp.com
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