SYDNEY -- 6 September 2000 -- Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, has been appointed by Bush Telegraph Pty Ltd (BushTel) to provide network services to trial Australia's first public high speed wireless network, based on Internet Protocol.

BushTel intends to establish a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service in North Western Australia, connected to a national telecommunications network, enabling Bushtel to deploy and provide communications solutions.

BushTel Chairman and former Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Mr Pat Dodson, said BushTel has been formed to extend the benefits of IP based high-speed communications to remote and rural Australians.

"BushTel's bandwidth will help remedy the digital divide and enable Northern Australians to fully participate in the rapidly changing new economy," Mr Dodson said.

Mr. Greg Travelstead, BushTel's Managing Director, said: "We are pleased Cisco understands the difficulties of designing and deploying broadband solutions in regional areas. The wireless local loops will reach more customers, at lower cost than any other broadband application, and can be deployed in a fraction of the time required for competing DSL, cable or optic fibre solutions."

Cisco Systems Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Terry Walsh, said wireless technology was clearly the superior networking platform to provide high speed connectivity for the Broome community and its surrounding region.

"Remote and regional Australian communities such as Broome are not generally served with affordable, reliable and efficient high speed Internet connectivity. We believe the alliance between BushTel and Cisco will begin to change that," Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh said through the adoption of Cisco wireless networking solutions, BushTel would have the capacity to provide a host of services which the region would otherwise not have access to. These services include IP (Internet Protocol) telephony for local Broome Small to Medium Businesses, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for businesses, distance education facilities, telemedicine, teleconferencing, lower phone call charges and localised support and infrastructure.

About BushTel

Bush Telegraph Pty Ltd is a telecommunications services provider committed to extending the social and economic benefits of cheaper and faster voice and data casting services throughout Northern Australia using wireless technology on spectrum licences which have been procured from the Australian Communications Authority.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.

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