GTE and Cisco announce end-to-end relationship
Agreement aimed at delivering value-added services on national network
through Cisco IOS software
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 1997--GTE and Cisco Systems Inc.
(NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced a relationship that will build an end-to-end service network
which will enable GTE to rapidly deploy value-added services and drive next-generation Internet
Protocol (IP) offerings.
This relationship will quickly create differentiated services for GTE customers while enabling GTE to
reduce time to market, lower cost of ownership and simplify network management.
``GTE is making an end-to-end commitment to Cisco in key areas,'' said Charles R. Lee, GTE
chairman and chief executive officer. ``This commitment creates an opportunity to deploy an
integrated service fabric that facilitates access to compelling content, solutions and services.''
To support these services GTE will build a national network based on Cisco's Wide Area Network
(WAN) ATM switches, high-end routers, and dial access platforms. GTE purchases could reach
over $1 billion of Cisco products for resale as bundled solutions and to support this new national
infrastructure over the next five years.
``This combination will create a fundamentally new offering in the marketplace,'' said John
Chambers, president and chief executive officer at Cisco. ``GTE will have leadership capabilities to
provide integrated end-to-end services across all layers of the network such as multimedia, quality,
and security. The relationship will accelerate the deployment of these and other services through the
alignment of our core competencies.''
In addition to large-scale network deployment, this relationship will include product collaboration,
systems enhancement and service creation projects. Through these projects, GTE will have the
capability to redefine product and service creation cycles and leverage Cisco's strengths in
networking technologies for the Internet.
Cisco will also offer GTE an industry-leading portfolio of service and networked support programs
that will include installation and implementation services to quickly install and configure systems,
maintenance services to ensure maximum system uptime and reliability, and access to the latest
Cisco IOS(TM) software enhancements through Cisco's Web site.
About GTE
With revenues of more than $21 billion in 1996, GTE is one of the largest publicly held
telecommunications companies in the world. In the United States, GTE offers local and wireless
service in 29 states and long-distance service in all 50 states. GTE was the first among its peers to
offer ``one-stop shopping'' for local, long-distance and Internet access services.
Outside the United States, where GTE has operated for more than 40 years, the company serves
over 6.5 million customers. GTE is also a leader in government and defense communications
systems and equipment, directories and telecommunications-based information services, and
aircraft-passenger telecommunications.
About Cisco Systems Inc.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.
News and information are available at cisco.com.
Cisco IOS and Cisco Systems are trademarks, and Cisco and the Cisco logo are registered
trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or
registered service marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
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