Verizon Business to Begin Technology Testing and Customer Trials of Cisco TelePresence Meeting Solution



    Verizon Business will soon begin technology testing and customer
    trials for an advanced, high-definition video communications service
    developed by Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO). The new service is designed
    to transmit full-size images and accompanying audio that are so
    lifelike that meeting participants may feel as though they are all in
    the same room, even though they may be halfway around the world from
    one another.

    The new Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution, announced separately
    today by Cisco, combines innovations in video, audio and remote
    communication technologies over the Internet Protocol Next-Generation
    (IP NGN) network to take collaboration to the next level. This
    high-bandwidth virtual meeting solution will be tested over Verizon
    Business' high-performance Private IP and Ethernet networking
    services.

    "We know that when companies collaborate well, they perform
    better," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing
    officer for Verizon Business. "With our Private IP and Ethernet
    offerings supporting the convergence of voice, video and data over a
    single network, Verizon Business is well suited to helping customers
    take advantage of this next-generation virtual meeting solution."

    The solution -- available in two versions for large and small
    meetings -- combines the industry's first 1080p (progressive) video
    and high-quality, spatial audio with comprehensive design elements.
    With the ability to see and hear others in high-definition video and
    spatial audio, users can experience subtleties and nuances of
    conversations.

    Verizon plans to trial the new Cisco solution over the Verizon
    Private IP network which puts customer traffic on a reliable, private
    network with robust Class of Service prioritization. Available in more
    than 115 countries, Private IP is based on Multi-Protocol Label
    Switching (MPLS) technology, which integrates performance and traffic
    management capabilities into a fully meshed environment, allowing for
    a uniform communications platform and easy expansion. With five IP
    Classes of Service, Private IP customers can easily prioritize voice,
    video and data traffic over their networks.

    In addition, Verizon Business will test the TelePresence Meeting
    solution over its QoS-enabled Ethernet offerings to enable customers
    to cost-effectively run the TelePresence application over their
    networks. Verizon Business Ethernet solutions, including Ethernet LAN
    Service, Ethernet Virtual Private Line, Ethernet Private Line and
    Ethernet Over SONET, provide Ethernet networking capabilities on a
    local, national, and international basis.

    "The Verizon Business Private IP network makes an excellent
    platform over which to deliver the Cisco TelePresence Meeting Solution
    to offices around the globe," said Jeff Spagnola, vice president of
    service provider marketing at Cisco. "With high-definition video and
    high-quality spatial audio as key components of the service delivery,
    having an intelligent network connection for the Cisco TelePresence
    Meeting Solution that adheres to high standards for availability and
    quality of service is critical. The Verizon Business Private IP
    network, based on the Cisco IP NGN architecture, has proven itself in
    that regard for thousands of businesses around the world."

    Earlier this year, Verizon Business sponsored a Frost & Sullivan
    study, "Meetings Around the World: The Impact of Collaboration on
    Business Performance," which determined that collaboration is a key
    driver of business performance. The study also found that
    professionals worldwide see their collaborative efforts as highly
    productive and believe that collaboration through communications
    technologies can provide a competitive advantage. Full details of the
    report can be found at
    http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/collaboration/.

    The Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution trial will supplement
    Verizon Business' ability to deliver collaborative solutions to
    customers. Verizon Business, through its expansive global network, is
    a leading provider of conferencing and collaboration services
    worldwide, featuring a wide range of global Audio, Video and Net
    Conferencing offerings, IP-based services and some of the most
    advanced meeting tools available today.

    About Verizon Business

    Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), is a
    leading provider of advanced communications and information technology
    (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide.
    Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced
    technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon
    Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to
    customers around the world. For more information, visit
    www.verizonbusiness.com.

    About Cisco

    Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), is the worldwide leader in
    networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at
    http://www.cisco.com. For more news, visit http://newsroom.cisco.com.

    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. All other trademarks
    mentioned in this document or Website 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.