SAN JOSE, Calif., July 31, 2000 - Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced that Cable & Wireless HKT has deployed an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) network based on an end-to-end DSL solution from Cisco.

Cable & Wireless HKT, Hong Kong's leading integrated communications company, is using a Cisco DSL solution to speed the rollout of its broadband DSL offering in the territory, further strengthening its position as a key provider of broadband Internet services in Hong Kong. ASDL dramatically increases the digital capacity of ordinary telephone lines, allowing Internet users to download information up to 142 times faster than conventional 56-kilobit modems.

"More and more business and residential customers in Hong Kong are interested in connecting to a broadband environment for high-speed transmissions," said Cheng Ka Hang, executive vice president, technology and new venture management at Cable & Wireless HKT. "By using standards-compliant Cisco solutions, we can provide cost-effective and highly efficient access to broadband services for the residential and business markets. Another advantage in using Cisco end-to-end solutions is their high scalability, which allows us to easily increase network capacity."

The ADSL installation is connected to Cable & Wireless HKT's core Internet network, one of the most advanced in Asia. The network is used for the company's NETVIGATOR broadband service, which has the largest subscription base among Internet service providers (ISPs) in Hong Kong.

"The deployment of the Cisco DSL solution allows Cable & Wireless HKT to rapidly scale their network, create more revenue opportunities and deliver a wide range of Internet and value-added services effectively while meeting customers' demands," said Frankie Sum, managing director at Cisco Hong Kong. "By deploying Cisco next-generation IP and broadband products and a New World network, Cable & Wireless HKT is able to further meet the demands of their customers with a sophisticated and market-leading network in Hong Kong."

A key benefit of DSL technology is that the connection has an "always on" capability, meaning that customers do not have to dial in each time to connect to services. In addition, customers can connect to the Internet and take telephone calls simultaneously.

The Cable & Wireless HKT installation consists of the Cisco 6260 IP DSL Switch, which provides premium, IP- and ATM-based, managed data, voice and video capabilities. Powered by Cisco IOS. software, the product delivers the industry's broadest, most feature-rich set of managed multi-service applications on a single platform.

In addition, the Cisco end-to-end DSL solution, based on the Cisco 6260 IP DSL Switch, enables Cable & Wireless HKT to deliver MPLS-based virtual private networks (VPNs), secure firewalls, multicast video, web-caching and voice services for both business and consumer entertainment applications.