Cisco's CRS-1 Core Routing Platform Selected by MTS Allstream



Internet Protocol Next Generation Network to provide increased scalability and carrier-class functionality

TORONTO, ONTARIO, -/February 9, 2006 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- Cisco Systems? today announced that MTS Allstream has selected the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System to further enhance its national IP/MPLS backbone network and drive the company's expansion of next generation services.

A core component of the Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN), the Cisco CRS-1 will enable MTS Allstream to further evolve its network to the next level of converged IP networking capabilities to support its full suite of IP services.

"As a pioneer in developing Canada's first national IP/MPLS network in 2000, we are always looking at ways to enhance our world-class network infrastructure to stay ahead of our customers' growing demands for innovative IP-based services and drive growth for our business," said Paul Frizado, senior vice president, Network Services, MTS Allstream. "With Cisco's platform, we can deliver even higher bandwidth capacity and carrier-class reliability for our expanding suite of converged IP solutions."

MTS Allstream is one of Canada's leading coast-to-coast providers of IP-based solutions, recognized as a leading communication solutions provider for midsized and enterprise businesses, as well as the public sector. MTS Allstream provides a full range of connectivity, managed and professional services for business communications.

The Cisco IP NGN architecture enables its service provider customers to deliver enterprise and consumer services over a single unified IP/MPLS network, enabling service continuity across multiple forms of network access and facilitate network, service and application convergence.

The Cisco CRS-1 is the first carrier-class routing system that seamlessly scales up to 92 terabits per second, simplifying today's networks while being designed to maximize investment protection in years to come. Cisco CRS-1 features continuous operation, IP service flexibility, scalability, multicast capability for digital broadcast video and seamless optical integration. The platform received an InfoVision Award in the "Network Core Innovation and Advances" category from the International Engineering Consortium in October last year.

"We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with MTS Allstream as they continue to enhance their world-class converged network platform for the delivery of innovative, next generation services," said Olaf Krahmer, vice president of service provider operations, Cisco Systems Canada. "The Cisco CRS-1 will help enable that growth by providing the scalability, reliability and carrier-class functionality, now and into the future."

About MTS Allstream
MTS is one of Canada's leading communications providers, and is focused on delivering outstanding value. Seamlessly blending innovative solutions and world-class technology, we connect our customers to the world. We serve residential and business customers in the province of Manitoba with a full suite of wireline voice, data, wireless, and MTS TV services. Through our Allstream division, we provide national business customers with a world-class portfolio of connectivity, managed, and professional services. Our extensive national broadband fibre optic network spans more than 24,300 kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic partnerships and interconnection agreements with other international service providers. Our Common Shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Visit MTS's Web site at http://www.mts.ca.


About Cisco Systems, Inc.
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.