BEIJING, P.R. China, Jan. 18, 2001 - John Chambers, president and CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, is meeting with Chinese government leaders and business influencers this week in Beijing. During the visit, Chambers will discuss Cisco's increased investments in China as well as initiatives geared toward driving technological development in the country. Chambers will also announce the opening of two technology labs aimed at speeding Internet Protocol, broadband innovation, and IP telephony in China.
Nearly half of Cisco's business results from sales outside of the U.S., and China is key to Cisco's global revenue balance. The country may soon become the company's third largest single market in the world. The Chinese Government has long recognized that networking is the key to making China's economy more efficient. With the government's strategic support of IT development, and the strength of China's IT technology and infrastructure, China is making major advances in technology that will drive the overall economy.
"I foresee a very bright future for China, where all business, communications and customer service activities will be conducted over seamless networks of voice, video and data. The Internet and networking technologies are expanding extremely rapidly in China and will help the country compete effectively in the global marketplace," said Chambers. "Cisco has committed itself to serving its customers, and investing in China's Internet future. I am here today to listen to the views of Chinese government and business leaders and share Cisco's worldwide experience with them. Cisco will continue to play its role in helping China's enterprises, institutions and schools leverage the power of the Internet."
Cisco Opens Two Technology Labs in China
Cisco will also open a Last Mile Lab (China LML), a facility geared towards expanding Cisco's service capabilities, and furthering the adoption of broadband in China. Based on Cisco's end-to-end Last Mile access service solutions, China LML will work with local enterprises, when appropriate, to test new broadband access technologies, standards and products in China. By offering the most sophisticated testing and application environment, China LML will enable compatibility and inter-operability tests for locally developed products. China LML will also support local software vendors in developing Internet applications, services, systems billing and management software by providing testing and integration platforms.
Responding to China's unique Internet Protocol technology landscape, Cisco is also launching China's first IP Telephony Lab. This lab will provide customer scenarios for China-based customers deploying voice networks so solutions can be tested prior to deployment.
In China, Cisco has achieved important successes in developing networking and Internet usage, and has introduced advanced technology in the fields of telecommunications, cable TV and entertainment. Cisco has also made a significant contribution to Internet education through its Networking Academy program. There are now 120 Networking Academies across the country, bringing e-learning to more than 4000 on-line students. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, the Academies are helping to form the technically skilled workforce necessary to unlock the benefits of the Internet.
