Newbridge Networks Announces Role as Founding Partner of
NCIT: Newbridge Networks Joins List of Major Contributors
to the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications
MARCH 21, 2000
KANATA, CANADA--Newbridge Networks (NYSE: NN; TSE: NNC), a leading
supplier of advanced broadband solutions, today announced its
commitment as a founding partner of the National Capital Institute
of Telecommunications (NCIT). With the stated goal of
strengthening Canada's global reputation in advanced
telecommunications, the NCIT seeks to combine the talents of the
National Capital region's major research and development
organizations.
In the course of a five-year agreement, Newbridge will supply
financial backing and donate advanced telecommunications equipment
to the NCIT. In turn, Newbridge will benefit richly from the
NCIT's advanced research into leading edge broadband networking
and applications. By combining the talents of the region's major
research and development organizations, the Institute hopes to
stimulate breakthroughs in advanced telecommunications systems.
The research facilities will target current and future
technologies promoting a synergistic exploration of new and
potentially beneficial concepts.
Regional benefits will include increasing the number and quality
of post-graduate students in the telecommunications field. The
Institute will also be instrumental in helping the Ottawa region
to attract highly skilled researchers, while helping existing
employees keep abreast of rapidly developing technologies.
"We share the Institute's vision to strengthen the National
Capital Region's capabilities and Canada's global reputation in
advanced telecommunications," said Peter Charbonneau, Vice Chair,
Newbridge Networks. "NCIT is a unique initiative that will enhance
partnerships and collaboration between industry, federal research
labs and universities. We are delighted to be in a position to
support this dynamic approach to technology development."
About NCIT
The Institute was originally conceived by the Research Management
Board of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), to
focus the telecommunications expertise of key Ottawa area
institutions and the local private sector. The objectives are to
create an Institute that will promote pre-competitive
telecommunications research and provide an advanced research
environment for post-graduate students. The institute will
encourage and facilitate collaborative research by providing a
strategic infrastructure that simplifies and leverages
cooperation.
The Institute operates from four research labs in the Ottawa
region. Each lab is hosted by one of NCIT's four major public
institutional partners, with locations including the University of
Ottawa and Carleton University. The NCIT headquarters are located
at the National Research Council's facilities at 3701 Carling
Avenue in Ottawa.
About Newbridge Networks
Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services
wide area networking solutions for service providers in more than
100 countries. On February 23, 2000, Newbridge entered into a
definitive agreement to be acquired by Alcatel, a world leader in
end-to-end voice and data communications solutions systems.
Alcatel's leadership in broadband access combined with the
Newbridge leadership in ATM / MPLS / IP switched routing will make
it one of the top players in the next-generation networking market
with complete, end-to-end communication solutions. Newbridge
current customers include the world's 350 largest
telecommunications service providers. The Company employs more
than 6,000 people on six continents. News and information are
available at www.newbridge.com
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