SAN JOSE, Calif., - November 18, 2008 - Cisco today announced that managed service providers worldwide are harnessing its Empowered Branch platform featuring Cisco® Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). The dozens of managed services based on the Cisco ISR platform available today are helping enterprises of all sizes drive innovation in their branches and simplify branch operations.

By combining the Cisco Empowered Branch platform with the expertise, reach and scalability of managed network solutions providers, enterprises benefit from reduced branch costs, faster time to implementation and access to cutting-edge technologies.

Verizon Business, for example, has deployed Cisco ISRs as part of its global managed service portfolio that now includes a total of 13 managed services certified by the Cisco Powered Program. The managed services range from unified communications to wide-area network (WAN) optimization, application acceleration, highly secure WAN connectivity, mobility and wireless local-area network (LAN) connectivity.

Cisco has also announced that Verizon Business has deployed the 5 millionth Cisco ISR as part of a managed solution for Colgate-Palmolive Company. Colgate-Palmolive's new MPLS-based Private IP network links more than 80 locations using the Cisco ISRs, which combine services such as data, voice and video over a converged, highly-secure Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) platform.

"We have been able to centralize data, applications and network control with this solution, which has enabled us to increase productivity and reduce our IT costs," said Tom Greene, CIO for Colgate-Palmolive. "That would not have been possible without our transition to MPLS and managed services enabled by Verizon Business and Cisco."

"The multiservice capability of the Cisco Integrated Services Router platform provides us with the flexibility to expand our global managed service portfolio to provide our customers with access to networks, applications, data and the Internet either in the office or around the world," said Mike Marcellin, vice president of global managed solutions for Verizon. "Our global customers are increasingly looking for a seamless view of the WAN and LAN so they can enhance performance and reliability and the ISR helps us fulfill these requirements cost effectively."

Since the Cisco ISR platform introduction nearly four years ago, Verizon Business has teamed with Cisco to offer an easy and efficient way for employees at branch locations to tap the full power of their companies' corporate networks. Today Verizon Business manages more than 270,000-plus security, network and hosting devices across more than 4,000 customer networks in 142 countries, overseeing non-Verizon connections from more than 60 network providers worldwide. Verizon Business' industry-leading managed network service-level commitments and award-winning IMPACT management platform underscore its legacy of service and innovation.

Executives from Cisco, Verizon Business, Colgate-Palmolive and Nemertes Research will come together in a webcast at 11:00 a.m. (PST) today. Participants will discuss emerging trends in how companies of all sizes are adopting Empowered Branch-based managed services to gain a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing business environment. To learn more about the Cisco IPTV webcast, please visit http://tools.cisco.com/cmn/jsp/index.jsp?id=79270.

Cisco also today introduced the following additions to its Cisco ISR:

• Cisco 880 Series ISR models with 3G Mobility and Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST): 3G wireless WAN capabilities have been added to this next-generation fixed-configuration Cisco ISR, which provides secure high-speed wireless connectivity to small businesses, enterprise small branch offices and teleworker sites. This enables rapid installation, deployment flexibility and resilient WAN backup. To date, Cisco 3G-ISRs are being used by more than 65 service providers worldwide.
• Cisco 880 SRST: Cisco SRST provides mission-critical remote branch unified communications survivability. The extension of Cisco SRST to the Cisco 880 Series platforms enables small offices to achieve the same high reliability as larger remote-office deployments.

"Verizon Business and Cisco share a vision for enabling all businesses to reduce the complexity and operating expenses of their branch offices through advanced IP services," said Dave Frampton, vice president of the Access Routing technology group for Cisco. "Today's announcement builds on Cisco's and Verizon Business' long history of innovation and collaboration to meet our customer's rapidly evolving communication needs."

Pricing and Expected Availability

The Cisco Network Analysis Module (NAM) and software (version 4.0) for the Cisco ISR is available today with a starting price of $2,995 USD and is scheduled to be generally available in December 2008. Upgrades to Cisco NAM 4.0 are free for customers with a Cisco SmartNet service contract. Cisco 880 Series routers are shipping now with a starting price of $649 USD.

For more information on Cisco ISR, visit www.cisco.com/go/isr. To learn more about the Cisco Powered Program, visit www.cisco.com/go/ciscopowered.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed. The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services. These solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business better. For more information, visit: www.verizonbusiness.com.