SYDNEY, Australia and SAN JOSE, Calif., May 8, 2002 -- Telstra, the leading electronic communications and information services provider in the Asia Pacific region, today announced it is continuing to enhance its Wideband IP business Ethernet service capabilities, with the deployment of Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching.

The new Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio provides the infrastructure to enable Ethernet services, ranging from "plug and play" Internet Protocol (IP) based services to Virtual Private Network (VPN) connectivity, to business customers requiring a dynamically scalable solution that can grow as their business grows. Based on a uniquely flexible, high-speed "bandwidth on demand" network, these enhanced Ethernet services are currently deployed to customers throughout Australia through Telstra's Wideband IP and Ethernet Services (www.telstra.com.au/widebandip)

Telstra Selects Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching Portfolio for Scalability and Ease of Service Management

Utilizing Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching, Telstra is extending its market leadership in delivering a high-speed national network that offers application-aware IP services to businesses.

For its Wideband IP and Ethernet Services, Telstra selected Cisco's scalable Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio to provide its IP VPN and Transparent LAN Services (TLS) network with enhanced quality of service (QoS), time/day-based traffic management and port security. Telstra's Wideband IP Services offers enterprise customers a simple, scalable networking solution that provides the ability to dynamically change the capacity of their network from 4 Mbps to 1Gbps from the customer's desk. By providing web-based, self-provisioning control of their systems, Telstra enables enterprises to customize bandwidth. Within metro areas, the company is also delivering carrier-class, Metro Ethernet Transparent Local Area Network (LAN) services at Gigabit Ethernet speeds via its Telstra Ethernet Service.

Telstra's Metro Ethernet network is based on Cisco 12000 Series Internet Routers and Cisco Catalystb 6500 Series Switches, installed at each Point of Presence (PoP). Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches distribute the connections out to the building where Catalyst 3550 Series Switches and Catalyst 3508G, 3512XL and 3524XL Switches provide "last mile" connectivity to the customer.

Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching Features and Products Bring New Capabilities and Flexibility to Cisco-based Telstra Network

Fusing the benefits of all three major metro technologies -- Ethernet switching, IP, and optical -- the Cisco Metro Solution delivers the industry's most comprehensive service portfolio designed to meet diverse customer requirements while permitting service providers to take advantage of the inherent efficiencies and service flexibility that no single technology can provide on its own. A key part of the Cisco Metro Solution is the Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio that consists of the Cisco 7600 and Catalyst 6500, Catalyst 4000, Catalyst 3550 and Catalyst 2950 Series Switches.

Additions to the Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio include two new models in the Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series that support Multimode Fiber and DC environments, metro-specific feature enhancements to the Catalyst 2950, 3550 and 6500 Series and Cisco 7600 Series Internet Router, new non-blocking integrated Layer 2/3/4 performance at 48 Mpps on the Catalyst 4000 Supervisor Engine III, Cisco Optical Network (ONT 1031) and Cisco Ethernet Subscriber Solution Engine (ESSE 1105) Ethernet First Mile (EFM) solutions and Cisco Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) Solution that enables service providers to scale bandwidth in fiber shortage areas. More information on these new additions to the Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio can be found at www.cisco.com/go/metroethernetswitching.

"We're excited to expand our relationship with Telstra by enabling a multitude of value-added business services that utilize the Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching portfolio of products," said Andrew Murray, vice president of Cisco's Asia Pacific Region. "With the continual growth of this next generation Metro Ethernet network, Telstra will be able to offer their customers a highly competitive set of service options."

Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching enables service providers such as Telstra to deliver profitable comprehensive, Ethernet services. With the effective integration of existing Wide Area Network (WAN) services, Cisco Metro Ethernet Switching offers service providers an unmatched breadth of service delivery mechanisms. Cisco also helps service providers minimize total cost of ownership for new services with its extensive automated operations support. For additional information please visit www.cisco.com/go/metroethernetswitching.

To learn more on how Cisco customers deliver innovative metro solutions to market, visit:

• Acantho: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_031402b.html
• B2: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_040902.html
• BT Ignite: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_041902.html
• Dubai Internet City: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_040902b.html
• Fastweb: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_040902c.html
• Sprint: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_050802b.html

About Telstra

Telstra Corporation Limited (NYSE: TLS, ASX: TLS) is the premier electronic communications and information services provider in Australia, and a leading carrier in the Asia Pacific region. Drawing on its 50-year involvement in the global telecommunications industry, Telstra provides expert advice on worldwide networking to international and multinational companies. Telstra owns and operates one of the most technologically advanced global networks, offering end-to-end solutions ranging from broadband, IP, mobile and intelligent network services, to voice and data network hubs, call centers, and advanced multimedia and e-commerce applications.