Cable & Wireless Awards Next Generation Network Supply Contract for IP Core to Cisco Systems; Cisco to Provide Flagship Carrier-Class CRS-1 Carrier Routing System

The IP core element of the Cable & Wireless NGN provides theunderlying connectivity and resilience required for carrying highcapacity IP traffic across the entire network.

Cable & Wireless will deploy 15 Cisco(R) CRS-1 Carrier RoutingSystem routers throughout the UK network, each equipped with Cisco'snew carrier grade internet operating system, Cisco IOS(R) XR software.

The Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)-enabled infrastructureutilises an advanced engineering capability to allow Cable & Wirelessto meet ever more stringent customer service levels and performancethresholds. This will enable the next stage in broadband and IPtechnology innovation, including support for carrying voice, video anddata services on a single, or converged, network.

Frank Mount, group chief technology officer, Cable & Wireless,said: "Cable & Wireless is leading the transformation of the UKtelecom industry by driving the continuing growth in newly provisionedcustomer services, including higher speed broadband and advanced IPservices for residential and business applications. Cisco providedoutstanding support to complete the first phase installation of CRS-1routers to meet our go live date for the network."

Mike Volpi, senior vice president, routing technology, CiscoSystems, said: "With Cable & Wireless' strong commitment to the globaltelecommunications industry extending to the consumer broadbandservices market, it is more critical than ever to have the rightfoundation to support growth in new voice, video and data services. Weare pleased that Cable & Wireless has selected Cisco CRS-1 for thecore of its Next Generation Network transformation and look forward toworking to support its progressive network development."

Further tenders for other key elements of the network, includingoptical network and voice over IP infrastructure, will be issued indue course.

Cable & Wireless announced its Next Generation Network plan on 20April 2005. For full details please go towww.cw.com/media_events/media_centre/releases/2005/04_20_2005_24.html.

Notes to Editors

This contract is the latest to be announced by Cable & Wireless.The metro Ethernet element of NGN was awarded to Tellabs on 26 May,enabling the first stage on the network to go live in London on 19August 2005.

Cable & Wireless announced in April its GBP 190 million investmentin its own NGN to transform its entire core and edge network, thesecond largest in the UK, to next generation topology. The benefitswill include an enhanced ability to offer market-leading IP services;reduce operating costs; accommodate significant growth in traffic; andgive our customers the chance to migrate to new services ahead of theequivalent transformation outlined by BT.

About Cable & Wireless

Cable & Wireless is one of the world's leading internationalcommunications companies. It provides fixed and mobile voice, data, IP(Internet Protocol) and broadband services to business and residentialcustomers, as well as services to other telecoms carriers, mobileoperators and providers of content, applications and internetservices.

Cable & Wireless' principal operations are in the United Kingdom,the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco. For more information aboutCable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networkingfor the Internet. Cisco news and information are available athttp://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied byCisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of CiscoSystems, Inc.