SAN JOSE, Calif., TOKYO, JAPAN - March 21, 2005 - Cisco Systems® today announced that NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) has decided to use Cisco® multicast virtual private network (VPN) technology in the backbone network for its "Arcstar IP-VPN" service. Multicast technology will help NTT Com offer cost-effective video services and manage access restrictions to content.

In the past, highly secure and centrally managed multicasting required a significant burden to service providers because they need to restrict access to content based on the equipment and operations adopted by the customer. By using multicast VPN service, it is possible for NTT Com to easily place access restrictions on the network, which means the company can easily customize what content is available to each end user. Furthermore, customers already using NTT Com's Arcstar IP-VPN service are able to implement multicasting without purchasing new services or equipment. For this reason, the operating burden and costs can be reduced, making it possible for business and residential customers to easily and economically implement multicasting.

Multicast VPN service allows the following features to be implemented easily and at lower cost:

• Delivery of video content from a central location to people working in remote or branch offices
• Transmission of data to remote devices (i.e., from a central office to a retail store's cash registers)
• Improved e-learning opportunities to educate or train students and staff

Cisco IP multicast is a mature technology that has been included in the Cisco IOS® Software since version 10.0, making it possible to support multicast VPN without adding any new functions to the core routing device. Because the user network interfaces for the technology are the standard Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) and Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP), it can be housed without changing users' multicast environment configuration and it has the advantage of not requiring the use of tunneling, such as generic routing encapsulation (GRE) on the users' side for the multicast. All IP multicast technology developed with Cisco IOS Software can be applied at the VPN connection level, and it is possible to provide additional value, such as the multicast security redundancy and quality of service (QoS) provided by Cisco IOS Software.

About NTT Communications (NTT Com)

NTT Communications is a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation (NYSE: NTT) - one of the world's largest telecommunications companies. NTT Com provides high-quality, technologically advanced network management, security and solution services to consumers, corporations and governments on a global basis, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Its world-class backbone network, combined with the networks of partner companies around the world, offers access to more than 200 countries. NTT Com?Group has more than 30 companies in the Asia-Pacific region,?Europe and the Americas. The company has garnered several?awards for its leading edge technologies, outstanding performance and customer service, including "Best Global Carrier - 2004." For more information, please visit http://www.ntt.com