Interkabel Delivers New, Ultra-High Speed Digital Services Through Cisco IP NGN Technology



    Cisco Systems(R) (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced today that
    Flemish cable operator Interkabel has chosen Cisco(R) Internet
    Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) technology to upgrade its
    cable network to provide interactive broadband services and multimedia
    applications such as IP television and video surveillance. The
    improvements will result in a hundred-fold increase in available
    bandwidth and will also help enable Interkabel to more quickly and
    efficiently deliver new services to its customers.
    "Toward the end of 2004, we were the first provider to launch a
    digital television package in Flanders," said Rudy Nys, spokesman for
    Interkabel. "Because we are looking to further our pioneering role in
    this field, we are investing in a future-proof network capable of
    supporting next-generation broadband services, such as IP television,
    via cable."
    Interkabel is made up of four cable companies: Integan,
    Interelecra, PBE and WBEM. Together they account for a third of the
    Flemish cable market, with some 790,000 households served.
    Interkabel's new ultra-high-speed digital services will be provided to
    its consumer customers and local government customers, as well as
    being deployed throughout Interkabel's internal departments.
    Interkabel's network upgrade includes Cisco uBR10012 Universal
    Broadband Routers, which will serve as the digital data backbone for
    the network. Interkabel will also be deploying Cisco aggregation
    switches and the Cisco Broadband Access Center for Cable provisioning
    system. The installation is being performed by systems integrator and
    Cisco Gold Certified Partner Dimension Data. Interkabel expects the
    project to be completed by the end of this year.
    "It's an appropriate illustration of Interkabel's pioneering
    spirit that Interkabel will be one of the first European users of
    Cisco's new wideband protocol for DOCSIS(R) technology, a forerunner
    of the EuroDOCSIS 3.0 standard," said Luc Vanbecelaere, service
    provider business development manager for Cisco Systems Belgium. "This
    technology makes speeds in excess of 600 Mbps to a single household
    possible. In concrete terms, that means 100 times the current
    bandwidth. This enormous increase in bandwidth will help Interkabel to
    provide a range of new and exciting broadband services."

    About Interkabel

    Interkabel is made up of four companies: Integan, Interelecra, PBE
    and WBEM and serves approximately 790,000 households.

    About Dimension Data

    Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT), a specialist IT services and
    solution provider, helps clients plan, build and support their IT
    infrastructures. Dimension Data applies its expertise in networking,
    security, operating environments, storage and contact centre
    technologies and its unique skills in consulting, integration and
    managed services to create customised client solutions. More
    information can be found at http://www.dimensiondata.com

    About Cisco Systems

    Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking
    for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at
    http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
    http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by
    Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco
    Systems, Inc.

    Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered
    trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates
    in the United States and certain other countries. DOCSIS is a
    registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. All other
    trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their
    respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a
    partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This
    document is Cisco Public Information.