Cisco Supports Major e-Society Initiative in Poland by Helping to Create a Broadband Wireless Network for the City of Slupsk

SLUPSK, Poland, July 9, 2004 - Cisco Systems today announced that it is closely co-operating with the City of Slupsk in building a broadband wireless network to link up government offices, schools, hospitals, libraries and other public institutions. For the first phase of the long-term e-Slupsk programme, Cisco is donating its expertise and networking equipment to the city, to help officials develop citizen services which will take full advantage of the broadband technology.

Cisco is working with the Foundation of Economic Education in Warsaw on the project, which is part of a broader e-Society Initiative designed to demonstrate how affordable and widely-available broadband can contribute to economic and social development in countries which have recently joined the European Union (EU).

Slupsk (www.Slupsk.pl), a city in the north of Poland with 102,000 inhabitants, is intended to provide a model for other cities to follow, in order to achieve the goals set out in the e-Europe 2005 Action Plan. This plan calls for the creation of modern online public services and a dynamic business environment, based on the widespread availability of broadband access at competitive prices. As part of the accession process, local governments in countries who have just joined the EU can apply for European funds to modernise their communications infrastructure.

"Our city has the same issues as other cities, where it is difficult for the local economy to be competitive due to higher transaction costs and gaps in basic local infrastructure," said Maciej Kobylinski, President of Slupsk. "I believe this network will help us increase efficiency of our administration and provide new services to citizens aimed at increasing social inclusion. We hope it will attract new businesses to the city and boost our economy."

Another element of the e-Society Initiative includes a contest organised jointly with the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and the Rural Development Foundation to select another city for a wireless broadband network. The winner will be announced later in the summer.

"Local governments all over Europe are realising that broadband connectivity can help them improve the quality and reach of citizen services," said Jacek Murawski, Director of Public Funding for Cisco in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "Wireless technology allows broadband to be installed quickly and effectively; it helps governments to communicate in new ways, to deliver enhanced services, to increase staff productivity and pass on those benefits to citizens and stakeholders."

The Cisco donation to the e-Society Initiative comprises equipment including Cisco 831 Broadband Routers and Cisco 1200 Series Access Points, a financial donation from the Cisco and consulting expertise from Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group.

Giving back to communities where Cisco operates is part of the company's culture. Cisco supports self-sustaining projects aimed at building stronger, more productive communities which can serve as examples and best practices to others. More information about Cisco's corporate philanthropy efforts can be found by visiting the following URL: www.cisco.com/en/US/about/ac48/about_cisco_community_and_philanthropy_home.html