Nortel PEC Solutions to Support Mission Critical Communications for NASA’s Return to Flight
Will Also Provide Wireless Internet Access for Media at Kennedy Space Center
When the Space Shuttle program returns to flight this summer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Mission Command and Telemetry Network – recently upgraded by Nortel – will enable critical information and data to be shared between the Space Shuttle Discovery, the International Space Station, and NASA operations centers.
NASA’s critical data is transmitted across a U.S. and international network of Nortel backbone routers. To support the Space Shuttle, this network is operational 24 hours a day to ensure there is no interruption to the flow of vital information. The same network also supports the Mars Rover, the Hubble Telescope, and other NASA programs.
“Nortel PEC Solutions is expert at building highly reliable networks,” said Chuck Saffell, president, Nortel Federal Solutions. “It’s simply a part of our DNA. We are very proud to have the opportunity to apply our expertise to help support NASA’s return to shuttle flights. Our collaboration with NASA is another example of how Nortel is focused on securing and protecting the world’s most critical information.”
In addition to playing an important role in NASA’s Mission Network, Nortel PEC Solutions has also deployed a Nortel Mobility Solution at Kennedy Space Center, including a Nortel Wireless Mesh Network and an integrated operations support system (OSS) platform provided by Pronto Networks. More than 2,500 journalists expected at the launch will be able to use the network to report on the historic flight.
With this network, reporters on the ground at the six-acre NASA Press Site will have the flexibility to use their wireless-enabled laptops and handheld computing devices to seamlessly and securely access the Internet, e-mail, file sharing and other applications. Designed to deliver user mobility, the Wireless Mesh Network will provide reporters with secure and continuous access to the Internet while moving throughout the observation area, increasing productivity by allowing them to report on the story in real-time.
“Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution will enable journalists from around the world to report on Space Shuttle Discovery’s historic Return to Flight mission,” said Joseph LaMarca, Jr., communications director for The Boeing Company in Florida and a member of the Joint Industry Press Center team. “This innovative new technology is something that has been needed at the press site, and we’re very excited to be able to offer this to media from around the world thanks to Nortel’s support.”
“Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution is ideal for this type of application because it offers broader portable coverage leveraging the cost-effectiveness of Wi-Fi. Using this solution can provide users with reliable and secure network access,” said Lindsay Schroth, senior analyst, Yankee Group. “People need the ability to be connected anywhere at any time.”
Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution uses wireless links to connect access points in large open areas to provide secure, seamless access to wireless broadband services. This solution is designed to allow organizations to install wireless local area networks (LANs) in areas where it is difficult or cost prohibitive to run cables.
Together with Nortel’s mobility solution, Pronto Networks’ fully integrated OSS platform enabled the complete wireless network to ‘go live’ in just a matter of days, not weeks. Pronto Networks key capabilities for this deployment include user registration, secure authentication, subscriber management, flexible billing, customer portal customization, and remote network management. Pronto Networks is enabling all the back-office functionality for the wireless network and is hosting the service from its data center in San Jose, Calif.
The NASA Press Site is well suited to wireless mesh technology. Wireless mesh can also be used to provide high-speed communications in war zones, on military bases and university campuses, and at disaster sites, border crossings, airports, convention centers, indoor and outdoor sporting venues, and other public and private locations.
Wireless Mesh provides a strong foundation for Nortel’s ‘Office Anywhere’ mobility solution for the Virtual Enterprise, designed to allow dispersed employees to collaborate as effectively as though they were in the same office, regardless of physical location. With new applications and solutions, Nortel makes it possible for workers to take their ‘Office Anywhere’ through reliable, secure mobile access to business applications wherever they are working.
About Nortel PEC Solutions
Nortel PEC Solutions is a trusted partner for governments to support the livelihood, security, and well-being of its citizens. It delivers a comprehensive portfolio of technology and high-end services capable of meeting the demands of the most complex and important systems in the world. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Nortel PEC Solutions engineers, deploys and manages mission-critical solutions for government, including homeland security, criminal justice and intelligence, defense and civilian agencies within the United States federal government and at state and local levels.
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the world’s most critical information. Serving both service provider and enterprise customers, Nortel delivers innovative technology solutions encompassing end-to-end broadband, Voice over IP, multimedia services and applications, and wireless broadband designed to help people solve the world’s greatest challenges. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.
Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events.
Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the outcome of regulatory and criminal investigations and civil litigation actions related to Nortel’s restatements and the impact any resulting legal judgments, settlements, penalties and expenses could have on Nortel’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and any related potential dilution of Nortel’s common shares; the findings of Nortel’s independent review and implementation of recommended remedial measures; the outcome of the independent review with respect to revenues for specific identified transactions, which review will have a particular emphasis on the underlying conduct that led to the initial recognition of these revenues; the restatement or revisions of Nortel’s previously announced or filed financial results and resulting negative publicity; the existence of material weaknesses in Nortel’s internal control over financial reporting and the conclusion of Nortel’s management and independent auditor that Nortel’s internal control over financial reporting is ineffective, which could continue to impact Nortel’s ability to report its results of operations and financial condition accurately and in a timely manner; the impact of Nortel’s and NNL’s failure to timely file their financial statements and related periodic reports, including Nortel’s inability to access its shelf registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); ongoing SEC reviews, which may result in changes to Nortel’s and NNL’s public filings; the impact of management changes, including the termination for cause of Nortel’s former CEO, CFO and Controller in April 2004; the sufficiency of Nortel’s restructuring activities, including the work plan announced on August 19, 2004 as updated on September 30, 2004 and December 14, 2004, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such actions;
cautious or reduced spending by Nortel’s customers; increased consolidation among Nortel’s customers and the loss of customers in certain markets; fluctuations in Nortel’s operating results and general industry, economic and market conditions and growth rates; fluctuations in Nortel’s cash flow, level of outstanding debt and current debt ratings; Nortel’s monitoring of the capital markets for opportunities to improve its capital structure and financial flexibility; Nortel’s ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; the use of cash collateral to support Nortel’s normal course business activities; the dependence on Nortel’s subsidiaries for funding; the impact of Nortel’s defined benefit plans and deferred tax assets on results of operations and Nortel’s cash flow; the adverse resolution of class actions, litigation in the ordinary course of business, intellectual property disputes and similar matters; Nortel’s dependence on new product development and its ability to predict market demand for particular products; Nortel’s ability to integrate the operations and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of rapid technological and market change; the impact of price and product competition; barriers to international growth and global economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of rationalization and consolidation in the telecommunications industry; changes in regulation of the Internet; the impact of the credit risks of Nortel’s customers and the impact of customer financing and commitments; stock market volatility generally and as a result of acceleration of the settlement date of Nortel’s forward purchase contracts; negative developments associated with Nortel’s supply contracts and contract manufacturing agreements, including as a result of using a sole supplier for a key component of certain optical networks solutions; the impact of Nortel’s supply and outsourcing contracts that contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met, could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; and the future success of Nortel’s strategic alliances.
For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Nortel with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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