TORONTO, September 20, 2001 - Orbit Canada and Cisco Systems Canada today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate Orbit's pursuit of innovative voice and data solutions based on Cisco technology and Orbit's proprietary software and equipment configurations. Orbit's planned strategic relationship with Cisco would better enable them to develop new and innovative service offerings, reduce operational expenses, and most importantly, extend their Canada-wide Voice over IP (VoIP) network into the U.S. market.
"Cisco Systems is a recognized leader in VoIP technology. Our relationship with Cisco will help us successfully expand our VoIP network and develop higher margin, value added voice, data and video services that will ensure our future growth and maximize customer satisfaction," said Douglas C. Lloyd, President and Chief Executive Officer at Orbit Canada Inc. "It also enables us to meet our stated timing and objectives for the initial phase of our US market entry - into seven major metropolitan areas".
Orbit is one of Canada's leading IP service providers, offering broad-scale IP telephony service to business and residential users. Through the anticipated strategic relationship with Cisco, which is envisioned in the non-binding MOU, Orbit plans to add to its service offerings by developing enhanced, next generation IP services such video-conferencing, virtual private networks (VPNs), and Multi-Protocol Label Switching VPNs.
"Orbit Canada has chosen Cisco's Open Packet Telephony technology to quickly and efficiently extend and enhance its IP multi-service network," said Pierre-Paul Allard, Managing Director, Cisco Systems Canada Co. "We believe the combination of Orbit Canada's VoIP strategy with Cisco's leading-edge networking technologies and service offerings will be a winning solution in the highly demanding North American marketplace."
Cisco's open, end-to-end solutions provide the unparalleled capability to deliver a variety of innovative services over a single packet network. Additionally, Cisco's service provider technology and solutions enable customers to rapidly deploy services that drive top-line revenue and maximize capital and operational efficiencies.
About Orbit E-Commerce Inc. and Orbit Canada Inc.
Orbit Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orbit E-Commerce Inc. (OECI:OTCBB). Its advanced IP network spans Canada and serves up to 85 per cent of the nation's populace. Orbit Canada's VoIP network allows subscribers to avoid having to speak through PCs or special Internet phones in order to make Internet-routed long-distance calls. The Company's subscribers can make such calls from their ordinary residential and business phones. The development of this user-friendly or "retail" VoIP format led Frost & Sullivan to award Orbit the research company's much-sought-after Product Innovation Award. In granting this award Frost & Sullivan claimed that Orbit's network was a model for entrants into the telecommunications field who want to use the new VoIP technologies.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at www.cisco.com.
About Cisco Systems Canada
Cisco Systems Canada Co. has over 375 employees across Canada dedicated to sales and service. In addition, Cisco Systems has approximately 400 employees at its research and development site in Ottawa, Ontario. Additional information about Cisco Systems Canada is available at www.cisco.com/ca.
