March 20, 2002 -- Touch America (NYSE:TAA), a national fiber-optic network and broadband products and services company, expects to be first to implement OPTera Connect HDX Optical Switches from Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT)(TSE:NT.).

Touch America plans to deploy Nortel Networks OPTera Connect HDX at several sites within its existing network to enable 'on demand' service, and to take advantage of operational savings - not only by reducing manual tasks associated with cross-connections, but by consolidating racks of switching gear into smaller cabinets that require less space and energy. OPTera Connect HDX should allow Touch America to optimize its existing network, and to increase network bandwidth in cost-effective increments.

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