TOKYO JAPAN, OCTOBER 12 2000 -- NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) (TSE: 6701) and Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) (TSE:6501) today announced that the two companies have agreed to pursue the joint development of next-generation optical transport systems. This is the first step of both companies' wide-ranging and long-term alliance in the telecommunications arena.

NEC and Hitachi aim to expand their optical transport systems business for overseas markets including the rapidly growing US market, utilizing both companies' extensive expertise and capabilities in this area.

NEC and Hitachi will begin joint planning and development of next generation systems such as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer (DWDM) systems, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET )/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy(SDH) optical transmission systems and others, which are the core systems for the era of ultra-high-speed and ultra-high-capacity telecommunications. The first products of the joint development are expected to be rolled out during the first half of fiscal year 2001 (ending March 2002).

Joint development of next-generation systems
(1) NEC and Hitachi will form a strategic joint product planning project team with around 20 staff from both companies. The project team will establish a common strategic concept for products and settle on joint development policies. Both companies will form joint development teams in order to maximize the advantages of their leading technologies.

(2) The next-generation systems to be jointly developed include DWDM systems, 10Gbps/40Gbps SONET/SDH optical transmission systems, ultra-long haul repeater systems, optical cross-connect systems and Network Management Systems.

These joint development efforts will expand on and supplement each company's product lines, and enhance their abilities to offer systems solutions to customers.

 

About NEC

NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) (TYSE: 6701) is a leading provider of Internet solutions, dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its customers in the key computer, network and electron device fields through its three market-focused in-house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation, with its in-house companies, employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and saw net sales of 4,991 billion Yen (approx. US$48 billion) in fiscal year 1999-2000. For further information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec-global.com.

 

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1999 (ended March 31, 2000) consolidated sales of 8,001 billion yen ($75.5 billion*). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For further information, please visit http://global.hitachi.com.

* At an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar.