Nortel, Verizon Deliver Healthcare Solutions to Leading Providers

DALLAS - Montefiore Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance, two of the largest and most widely recognized healthcare systems in the United States, have deployed communications solutions from Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] and Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group to help provide superior patient care and reduce costs.

The Cambridge Health Alliance communications network uses an optical Ethernet service from Verizon in conjunction with the Nortel Optical Metro 3500 multi-service platform. Montefiore Medical Center's network uses an optical service from Verizon that uses the Nortel's Optical Metro 5000.

These solutions have given both healthcare providers the increased network speed and capacity necessary to support such advanced patient care technologies as the Picture Archive Communications System (PACS), which provides computerized management and distribution of X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic images.

With PACS and other advanced applications, Montefiore Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance can make diagnostic imagery and other patient files immediately available regardless of location, improving patient care and maximizing the efficiency of such critical resources as radiology personnel. In addition, both healthcare providers now have the ability to converge voice and data traffic for greater efficiency and lower costs, along with greater network flexibility to address current and future communications needs.

"To take advantage of new healthcare applications like PACS, we need a network that is fast and efficient," said Robert Lewis, director of networks and telecom and chief information security officer, Cambridge Health Alliance. "With the Verizon-managed Nortel healthcare communications solution, we can now use the bandwidth available to us in more flexible increments, as opposed to increasing capacity with costly leased lines. Nortel and Verizon are helping us to maximize our network resources and to expand them as needed in the future."

"Emerging technologies and applications are driving advancements in healthcare and improving overall patient care," said Brian Hoch, director of computing resources, Montefiore Medical Center. "By implementing services from Verizon and Nortel, we are confident our network can support currently available and new therapeutic and diagnostic methods while providing the resiliency and security to ensure that our mission-critical patient files and medical information are always available."

These two new healthcare network deployments were announced at the 2005 Annual Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference and Exhibition being held February 13-17 at the Dallas Convention Center. More than 15,000 healthcare organizations in the United States and Canada rely on Nortel solutions.

Extending its commitment to delivering advanced technologies for the healthcare market, Nortel also announced at HIMSS 2005 the development of an innovative technology called Dynamic Resource Allocation Controller (DRAC), which is designed to improve the flow of PACS digital images. With DRAC, high priority, time-sensitive, applications and files can be flagged to receive increased bandwidth at the time of data transfer, ensuring real-time access to critical radiology images by healthcare workers.

"We work with healthcare providers to improve service and enhance the patient experience while striving to exceed ongoing communications needs in an industry where service is of mission-critical importance," said Dan Young, vice president, Global Industry Solutions Marketing, Nortel. "There is no other industry where timely communications is more essential."

Nortel demonstrations at HIMSS 2005 (booth #s 143 and 6469) will include industry-leading mobility solutions for nurses, doctors and hospital administrators and business continuance, disaster recovery, and data storage and retention solutions for hospitals and remote clinics, as well as advanced radiology applications. Nortel will also offer presentations from customers who are already benefiting from Nortel healthcare communications solutions.

Healthcare-focused solutions from Nortel allow multiple networks to be consolidated onto a single communications infrastructure, resulting in improved network performance and positioning healthcare providers to drive significant savings, reduce operating costs and improve patient care. Nortel offers a range of enterprise, optical and wireless solutions designed specifically to meet the requirements of healthcare customers. These solutions include mobile healthcare applications, security, high-performance networking, business continuity and disaster recovery, IP (Internet Protocol) telephony, multimedia collaboration, contact centers and self-service applications.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group is one of the leading providers of basic and advanced communications products and services to large business, government and education customers in the United States with a complete range of voice, video, data and IP-related services. Verizon Select Services, Inc. provides long- distance service for ESG. For more information about VZ ESG's integrated network solutions, visit www.verizon.com/enterprisesolutions .

About Cambridge Health Alliance

< br />
Cambridge Health Alliance is an innovative, award-winning health system that provides high quality care in Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Revere, and Boston's Metro-North communities. It includes three hospitals, more than 20 primary care practices, the Cambridge Public Health Department, and the Network Health plan. With this unique model, the Alliance is able to offer the finest health services, a diverse working environment, and a premier training experience in community-based medicine.

About Montefiore Medical Center

< br />
Established in 1884, Montefiore Medical Center serves the Bronx and southern Westchester County. Today it is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States and a leading center for medical education and research. Montefiore Medical Center has developed a comprehensive care system, which includes three hospitals, a network of neighborhood health centers, a wide range of ambulatory specialty services, home healthcare, rehabilitation and nursing home care.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group manages the design, operation and maintenance of end-to-end integrated network solutions for large business, government and education customers across the United States. With over 7,800 employees in 35 states, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group offers a complete range of basic and advanced communications products and services to meet the voice, video, data and IP-related needs of its customers. In addition, over 5,200 field operations personnel support enterprise customers nationwide. In the enterprise market, Verizon Select Services Inc. provides Verizon long-distance service. For more information on products and services available through Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, visit www.verizon.com/enterprisesolutions.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.