Toronto, ON - October 13, 1999 - Group Telecom and Cisco Systems Canada Co. (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced they are teaming to offer reliable, secure and high-performance Internet and data services. In addition, Group Telecom has been certified as a member of the Cisco-Powered Network Program.
The relationship highlights Group Telecom and Cisco's focus on leveraging intelligent high-end Internet Protocol (IP) services, high speed Gigabit Local Area Network (LAN) services and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networking to deliver the industry's leading network-based applications to corporate Canada.
"Cisco shares our vision that the IP network is the foundation for delivering intelligent business solutions, providing our customers with strategic competitive advantages," said Daniel Milliard, CEO and director, Group Telecom. "By working with the recognized worldwide leader in networking, we can reassure our customers that the Internet and data services we offer lead the industry in reliability, performance and innovation."
Through its relationship with Cisco, Group Telecom offers business customers complete range of voice, data and applications services such as secure, high-speed Gigabit LAN services, high-end IP services as well as dial services for enterprise, VPN (Virtual Private Network) and VPOP (Virtual Point-of-Presence) applications.
Yves Laliberté, director, service provider line of business, Cisco Systems Canada Co. said, "Currently, more than 80 per cent of Internet backbone traffic runs over Cisco equipment, which enables service providers to offer consistent services. Group Telecom's relationship with Cisco will enable end customers to feel confident that their service provider will deliver a high level of network interoperability and performance, as well as new, advanced and differentiated services."
In the Cisco-Powered Network Program, Group Telecom will market services, based predominantly on Cisco equipment and software. Group Telecom's participation in the program – including use of the Cisco-Powered Network logo to brand its services and marketing support materials – is designed to demonstrate its ability to provide innovative services, increase customer confidence and heighten Group Telecom's brand recognition.
About Group Telecom
Group Telecom provides next-generation business communications solutions through innovative voice, data and Internet applications services. Founded in 1996 to provide wholesale integrated voice and data information services to Internet Service Providers, long distance carriers, telecommunications resellers and information technology integrators, the company became a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) in March 1998.
About Cisco Systems Canada Co.
Cisco Systems - with $12 billion (US) in revenues and over 19,000 employees - is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Established in 1990, Cisco Systems Canada employs over 380 Canadians and is headquartered in Toronto, with field sales and service offices across the country. In addition, Cisco also has a state-of-the-art development centre in Kanata, ON - focusing on the development of optical internetworking solutions to build the next generation of the Internet backbone.
The Internet is changing the way people work, live, learn and play - and Cisco Systems Canada is a primary agent of this change and a compelling example of the power of this revolution. By widely deploying business solutions based on the Internet, Cisco Systems saves over $500 million (US) per year in operating costs, has grown revenues by 100% in two years and has increased customer satisfaction at the same time. Cisco produces networking solutions for enterprise organizations, service providers and small/emerging businesses.
Contact:
- Gillian Hewitt
Strategic/Ampersand Inc.
Phone: (416) 961-5595 ext. 428
Pager: 1-800-68-CISCO (24726)
E-mail: ghewitt@cisco.com - Carla Johnston
GT Group Telecom
Phone: 604-484-1001
Email: carlaj@gt.ca
