MRCIY Marconi (MM)

Marconi and Laurel Networks Reaffirm OEM Agreement and Long-term Relationship PITTSBURGH, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Laurel and ECI reaffirm their commitment to the Marconi relationship. Marconi Corporation plc (LONDON: MONI) (NASDAQ:MRCIY) and Laurel Networks will continue to supply IP- based, multi-service edge routing technology through their existing worldwide relationship. Earlier this week, Laurel announced its pending acquisition by ECI Telecom (NASDAQ:ECIL). The partnership has been active and successful since early 2003. The agreement includes joint sales, marketing and development activities targeted primarily at customers requiring highly reliable, scalable multiservice and broadband routing. To date, this has included multiple wins for Marconi with US Federal Government and EMEA customers. The two companies will continue to pursue opportunities in the US Federal market, enterprise customers worldwide, as well as service providers where appropriate. "We are pleased with the agreement between Laurel and Marconi. This partnership is an extremely important part of our channel strategy and we wish to continue this fruitful relationship," said Doron Inbar, President and CEO of ECI Telecom. "ECI delivers its solutions and products both directly and through chosen channels and we are committed to further help Laurel support Marconi and its other channel partners worldwide." Geoffrey Doy, CEO of Marconi North America said, "We value the relationship we have with Laurel. Over the last two years, we have developed close ties between our companies that have led to a significant level of business. I can confirm that we are both committed to further developing this partnership for the benefit of our customers and our companies." Notes to editors About Laurel Networks Laurel Networks delivers routing technology that helps service providers transition from the standard Internet-only service delivery model into full- fledged triple-play networks. Designed for enhanced network scalability, Laurel's ST-series(TM) routers allow service providers to add advanced broadband applications, like video on demand or voice over IP, without incremental cost as the subscriber base grows. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Laurel operates sales and support facilities across the US, Europe and Asia. Its routers are deployed by some of the world's largest service providers including: Level 3 Communications, KT, Dacom, and Arsys. About Marconi Corporation plc Marconi Corporation plc is a global telecommunications equipment, services and solutions company. The company's core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching, broadband access technologies and services. The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI and on NASDAQ under the ticker MRCIY. Additional information about Marconi Corporation can be found at http://www.marconi.com/ . All brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form 10-K report filed by Marconi Corporation plc with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Press inquiries: Joseph Ferrara, tel: 724-742-7740; email: Carol Wolicki, tel: 412-809-4298; email: Investor inquiries: Karen Keyes tel: + 44 207 306 1345; email: Industry Analyst inquiries: Colleen Rosander tel: 724-742-7794; email: DATASOURCE: Marconi Corporation plc CONTACT: Press inquiries, Joseph Ferrara of Marconi Corporation plc, +1-724-742-7740, or ; or Carol Wolicki of Laurel Networks, +1-412-809-4298, or ; or Investor inquiries, Karen Keyes, + 44 207 306 1345, or , or Industry Analyst inquiries, Colleen Rosander, +1-724-742-7794, or , both of Marconi Corporation plc Web site: http://www.marconi.com/

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