CT-IN will focus on demand for optical networking infrastructure in the country

HANOI, Vietnam - December 20, 2002 - To meet the demand for a modern, high-speed communications infrastructure in Vietnam, Cisco Systems has appointed CT-IN (Joint Stock Company for Telecoms & Informatics) as an Advanced Technology Provider (ATP) for Optical Networking. CT-IN is the first Cisco ATP in Vietnam, the third in ASEAN and only the seventh in Asia.

The explosive growth of the Internet and increasingly sophisticated enterprise business applications is placing tremendous demands on communications networks. To meet that demand, service providers and enterprises are developing optical networks to ensure that critical applications and services such as e-business, content networking and streaming media run reliably. In recent survey by market research company RHK, the optical networking market in Asia Pacific in the second quarter of 2002 was worth US$1.3 billion, accounting for 35% of the global market. This reflects the increasing demand for modern Internet infrastructure in the region, especially in developing countries like Vietnam.

"Vietnam is in the process of building up its infrastructure to bring it on par with the rest of the world and optical networking is an important area. Cisco wants to play an active role in this nation building process and appointing CT-IN as our first ATP is another step in that direction. Through programs such as the ATP and the Cisco Networking Academy Program, Cisco can contribute to Vietnam not only with our leading technologies and solutions but by transferring much of the skills and knowledge to Vietnamese," said Mr. Ha Huy Hao, Chief Representative, Cisco Systems Vietnam.

To become a Cisco ATP, CT-IN was put through a rigorous assessment process that examined the company's technical skills, service and support capability, business management, and project control.

The objective of Cisco's ATP program is to bring emerging technologies to market through selected systems integrators. Cisco offers not only the knowledge and skills to bring emerging technologies to market, but also provides support services required for a particular technology to ensure that its ATPs deliver the best services from design and installation to post-sales support. Cisco's ATP program currently covers technologies such as content networking, optical networking, and voice over IP.

"CT-IN's appointment as a Cisco ATP once again underlines our leading position in Vietnam's telecom market," said Mr. To Hoai Van, Deputy General Director, CT-IN. "With Cisco's advanced technologies and solutions, we strongly believe that Vietnam's optical infrastructure will expand widely in the coming months to meet market demand. We hope to nurture this relationship with Cisco further and deliver other advanced technologies in Vietnam."

About CT-IN

Established in 1972, CT-IN (Joint Stock Company for Telecoms & Informatics Company) is a member of Vietnam Post & Telecom Corporation (VNPT). CT-IN provides solutions and products for the telecom and informatics markets. Customers include post & telecom companies in 61 provinces across Vietnam, mobile service providers such as GPC and VMS and other companies outside VNPT. Additional news and information about CT-IN are available at www.ct-in.com.vn/.

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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