SANTIAGO, CHILE, July 17th, 2006 - Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced that the Chilean telecommunications and cable provider VTR has deployed the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System, the core component of the Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture, to facilitate the growth of triple play (data, voice and video) services over residential broadband connections. VTR is the first telecommunications services provider in Latin America to deploy the Cisco CRS-1.

VTR is the leading Chilean provider of cable TV and broadband Internet and is the country's second largest provider of residential telephone service. VTR has more than 2.2 million residential subscribers, with 1.2 million digital cable TV subscribers, 300.000 Internet subscribers and 400.000 IP telephony subscribers.

The Cisco CRS-1 is the industry's first carrier routing system offering continuous system operation, with unprecedented service flexibility and system longevity. The Cisco CRS-1 is powered by Cisco IOS XR Software, a unique self-healing and self-defending operating system designed for always-on operation while scaling system capacity up to 92 terabits per second.

The CRS-1 deployment is a part of an extensive network upgrade recently conducted at VTR by Cisco Systems and its partner Magenta. Cisco provided VTR with a comprehensive set of lifecycle services and support, including operational planning and staff training on the platform.

"VTR is leading the way in deployment of advanced IP services in Chile, and we are pleased to support its growth strategy," said Alvaro Croquevielle, Operations Director of Cisco Systems South America. "VTR was the first company to offer triple-play services in Chile, this strategy moves the local market, mobilizing other service providers to invest in its IP infrastructure. Today, VTR is a reference for the whole Latin America telecommunications industry."