KEMPTVILLE, ON - March 27, 2001 - Cisco Systems Canada Co. announced today that Upper Canada Networks (UCNet), a user-based group representing healthcare, education, government, industry, residents, agriculture, tourism and small business has selected Cisco's fixed wireless technology to build its broadband community network in the eastern Ontario county of Leeds and Grenville.

Having received funding of $1.8 million from the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology to assist in bringing advanced image, video and data communications to the under-serviced area, UCNet is in the process of completing one of the first implementations of a broadband wireless local loop in rural Canada.

UCNet has chosen a consortium of communications companies supported by Cisco's broadband fixed wireless solutions to build a point-to-point (PtP) wireless backbone network including a point to multipoint (PtM) edge connectivity. The network will be based on Cisco uBR7200 to support Quality of Service (QoS) and Multipath, using the latest in radio frequency technology, VOFDM (Vector Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).

"We chose the Cisco consortium because they provided the most scalable robust solution and overall best implementation plan," said Vic Allen, President, Upper Canada Network. "It became very clear that Cisco's broadband fixed wireless solutions would enable us to satisfy future networking requirements in our core, while also meeting the QoS and bandwidth needed today."

The Cisco consortium is led by Cygnal Technologies (www.cygnal.ca) and two of its divisions, Integrated Cable Systems (ICS) and Comlink Systems who together will design, equip, manage and integrate the next generation broadband network using Cisco's products. These include uBR7200 Series, WT2700 Fixed Wireless Access, Catalyst 3500, and SMARTnet Maintenance. Other leading members of the winning consortium include WiBand Communications, and Eastern Independent Telecommunications.

Cisco's broadband fixed wireless solutions act as a pipeline for creating a shared access network where bandwidth-on-demand is needed for interactive opportunities such as data, voice, and video. The varying bandwidth needs of the small to medium sized business, small office home office (SOHO), telecommuter or residential customer can be met with a point-to-multipoint solution.

The completion of the initiative will be in keeping with the National Broadband Task Force's mandate to make high-speed broadband Internet services available to all Canadian communities by 2004 and will serve as a model for other rural areas contemplating and requiring access to the information highway. "UCNet is demonstrating the ability to think outside of the standard service provider box, said Doug Young, President and CEO, Cygnal Technologies. "They are proving to be a true pioneer in developing equality for access within rural communities."

With plans to deploy its regional service beginning in April through to the fall of 2001, UCNet will provide wireless Internet access at speeds up to 100 Mbps per second to link large and small businesses and government agencies so that they may access corporate data sources to engage and collaborate in the development of software as well as Internet-based e-commerce applications. Cisco's wireless technologies will allow for rapid transmission of large files, decreased download times and a permanent connection to the Internet. Because there is no dial-up or log-on process involved, end users will be able to receive instant notification of e-mail messages 24 hours a day.

"Cisco Systems Canada is pleased to be able to offer our expertise in data communications and networking technology to UCNet in the development and roll-out of its broadband community network, said Nitin Kawale, Director, Canadian Enterprise Operations, Cisco Systems Canada. "We think that broadband fixed wireless solutions provide a major step forward in supporting present and future needs for high-speed affordable broadband Internet services."

"We are proud to maintain excellent VAR relationships with a global manufacturer like Cisco Systems who offer components which build high-end core network solutions for customers like UCNet," said Mike Meathrel, Director, Sales and Marketing, ICS. "It means a lot to be part of a winning team, but even more important is knowing that you are making a difference, allowing this community to compete in the global marketplace through the power of the Internet."

About Cisco Systems Canada Co.

Cisco Systems - with $18.9 billion (US) in revenues and over 44,000 employees - is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Established in 1990, Cisco Systems Canada Co. employs approximately 425 employees across Canada dedicated to sales and service. In addition, Cisco has approximately 500 employees at their research and development site in Kanata, Ontario and 170 employees in Waterloo, Ontario dedicated to video networking technologies.

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 $1.35 billion (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.

For Additional Information:

• Willa Black
  Cisco Systems Canada Co.
  416-306-7732
  Pager: 1-800-68-CISCO
  E-mail: wblack@cisco.com

• Lisa Daly
  Strategic/Ampersand Inc.
  416-961-5595 ext. 438
  Pager: 1-800-68-CISCO
  E-mail: ldaly@cisco.com