[June 11, 2008]

Verizon Telecom Selects Nortel for Next Generation Metro Ethernet Backbone Switch

(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TORONTO, ONTARIO, June 11 / MARKET WIRE/ --

Nortel(1) (TSX: NT)(NYSE: NT) has been selected by Verizon Telecom to provide a new generation of switching equipment to help Verizon expand its metro Ethernet backbone.

The technology Verizon has chosen is the Metro Ethernet Routing Switch (MERS 8600). This platform provides Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) technology, MPLS related technology, and the Metro Ethernet Manager (MEM) system. Verizon will be testing all the MERS technologies in its laboratories for use with its Ethernet-based networks, including the Switched Ethernet Services (SES) network.

"We look forward to working with Verizon in expanding their metro Ethernet network with a next generation packet-based network infrastructure," said Philippe Morin, president, Metro Ethernet Networks, Nortel. "Our carrier Ethernet solution offers the flexibility and scalability to support the new applications and requirements Verizon needs."

The Nortel solution includes industry-leading PBB and Ethernet OAM technologies. Nortel's PBB-based solution is the most cost effective solution that enables service providers to significantly scale their networks. Additionally, fault monitoring allows rapid troubleshooting to meet strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and ensures a better customer experience.

The performance and troubleshooting features built into the MERS 8600 are complemented by MEM, Nortel's network element and service management solution. Service providers can not only use MEM to proactively monitor and manage the network, but also accelerate service enhancements and new service introduction.

As the first vendor to support PBB, PBT, and Ethernet OAM technologies, Nortel is continuing to transform Ethernet into a true carrier-class technology that is simpler to deploy and supports a richer set of business connectivity and triple play services, wireless aggregation and backhaul applications.

Nortel is leading the migration toward carrier Ethernet solutions for next generation, packet-based metros. More than 30 customers around the globe selected Nortel's Carrier Ethernet solution in 2007, including, Dakota Carrier Network, Frontier Communications, Silk telecom, groupe-e, and Shanghai Telecom, among others.

About Nortel

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

Certain statements in this press release may contain words such as "could", "expects", "may", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "targets", "envisions", "seeks" and other similar language and are considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on Nortel's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which Nortel operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different from those contemplated in forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see Nortel's Annual Report on Form10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings 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.

(1)Nortel, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.

Contacts:
Nortel
Mary Pretotto
(905) 863-7777
Email: maryp@nortel.com
Nortel
Greta Brown
+44-(0)1628-432968
Email: gretab@nortel.com
Website: www.nortel.com

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