NEC to provide iPASOLINK series to Belgacom-Cassidian consortium to enhance Belgium's public safety network ASTRID

*** For immediate use May 21, 2012


London and Tokyo, May 21, 2012 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced today the completion of a contract to provide its iPASOLINK(*1)  series to the Belgacom-Cassidian consortium, which will replace one of the major building blocks of the Belgian radio communications network ASTRID.

Replacing ASTRID's current microwave transmission equipment with NEC's iPASOLINK series will increase its availability to users in extreme weather conditions. NEC's iPASOLINK series also provides the necessary capacity to handle the rapidly increasing traffic demanded by new data applications. The hybrid radio architecture of the iPASOLINK series ensures the smooth transition from traditional TDM (Time-division multiplexing) based communication to the next-generation IP based communication. The new equipment will consist of iPASOLINK 400, iPASOLINK 1000 and the management system MS5000.

Under the overall ASTRID contract completed by the Belgacom-Cassidian consortium, consortium partner Belgacom will deliver NEC's microwave equipment, installation services and the 1st line of integration and maintenance. Cassidian - which is part of the consortium - and NEC will be responsible for the installation and configuration of the new microwave network monitoring system, maintenance and training.

The nationwide TETRA (terrestrial trunked radio) network in Belgium serves approximately 60,000 end users of public safety, disaster recovery, security services (police, fire, health & ambulance services) and several utility and public transport companies.

"Providing public safety is a vital service and NEC's iPASOLINK fully meets our requirements for microwave equipment that can handle even severe weather conditions and stay ahead of the rapid technological evolution in radio communication," said Kris Verheye, vice president, corporate market enterprise business unit, Belgacom.

"NEC's microwave technology has always been at the forefront of new developments and its advanced capabilities allow the Belgacom-Cassidian consortium to run a stable service at all times," Michael Stueckmann, managing director, NEC Deutschland GmbH responsible for all activities within DACH & Benelux.

About the Belgacom-Cassidian consortium
The Belgacom-Cassidian consortium is a temporary association formed by two partners: CASSIDIAN and BELGACOM. The initial partners of the Consortium were Nokia and Telindus. EADS Defence and Security, now called Cassidian, acquired the PMR-business of Nokia in 2005. Belgacom acquired Telindus in 2006. The Consortium has a track record in winning follow-up orders and is responsible for the maintenance of the ASTRID TETRA network with a capacity of 51.000 users, the 11 control rooms with more than 250 integrated call-taking and dispatching workstations, the micro-wave transmission network and the IT-systems.

About ASTRID
ASTRID is the nationwide TETRA network of Belgium operated by A.S.T.R.I.D. nv/sa (100% state-owned). The ASTRID radio and paging networks are linked to fully integrated control rooms and currently serves about 60.000 users of all public safety, disaster recovery, security services (police, fire, health & ambulances services) and several utility and public transport companies.

About Belgacom:
The Belgacom Group [Euronext: BELG]. Drawing on its solid experience as Belgium's national telecom operator and the multiple talents of its teams, the Belgacom Group is the main provider of integrated telecommunication services in Belgium. Thanks to its continuous investments in cutting-edge technology, Belgacom is able to offer its private and professional customers telephony, Internet and television services around the clock, irrespective of location and the access device used. For the fiscal year ending 31 December 2011, the Group posted a total revenue of €6,406 billion and a net operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of €1,912 billion.
www.belgacom.com

About CASSIDIAN (www.cassidian.com)
Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing Lead Systems Integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and unmanned aerial systems), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cyber security, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions. In 2011, Cassidian - with around 28,000 employees - achieved revenues of € 5.8 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2011, the Group - comprising the Divisions Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter - generated revenues of € 49.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 133,000.

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society.  For more information, visit NEC at
http://www.nec.com.


NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. (C)2012 NEC Corporation.

Notes

*1) The iPASOLINK series was launched in September 2010. NEC has supplied more than 110,000 units for nearly 100 operators spanning 55 countries, across Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

NEC Press Contacts

(Europe)
Harry Pirrwitz
NEC Europe Ltd.
+44-20-8752-2794
E-Mail:harry.pirrwitz@emea.nec.com

(Japan)
Takehiko Kato
NEC Corporation
+81-3-3798-6511
E-Mail:t-kato@cj.jp.nec.com