HRS Harris Corp.

Marconi's Outside Plant and Power Division Partners With Harris Corporation to Offer Customers Test System Interoperability DALLAS, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marconi Corporation plc (LONDON: MONI) (NASDAQ:MRCIY) and Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) announced today they have signed a "Strategic Alliance Agreement" for their respective Line Test System product lines. Under the Agreement, the two companies agreed to cooperate in the marketing and sales of Line Test Systems to Harris customersas well as to develop additional software for Marconi's Line Test System Controller. "This announcement reflects Marconi's renewed commitment to Test Systems at a time when other providers of telecom test equipment are re-evaluating their respective strategies to support the customer needs for routinely testing the telephone lines," said David John Smith, executive vice president of Marconi's Network Components Business Unit in North America. Line Test Systems are used by Telephone Service Providers to test and analyze faults on subscriber lines as well as to evaluate lines to determine their suitability for DSL. Line Test Systems are typically a fundamental component of most telephone companies' Customer Care and Quality of Service (QoS) programs. Marconi and Harris have for years competed for line test system business, both supplying systems that support QoS initiatives for millions of lines of telephone service around the world. As Harris has made the strategic decision to embark on a newvision for its test systems that includes innovative new capabilities for its hand-held test instruments for phone companies, it sought to insure a smooth transition for their customers who have been using the more traditional "Line Test Systems." Marconi is in a unique position to offer a migration path for Harris customers who choose to continue to use the more traditional "Line Test Systems" because its technology is similar to the type employed in Harris' systems. The two companies agreed to cooperate in developing additional software for Marconi's Line Test System Controller so that it will be able to control Marconi's as well as Harris' test systems used by customers. By interfacing Marconi's LTSC software with Harris test units, Harris customers are insured of continuing use of their embedded investment and are provided a migration path through Marconi's line of POTS and DSL remote measurement units. "This Strategic Alliance Agreement is a perfect example of how, in this highly competitive world of communications, traditional competitive barriers between vendors have been overcome to allow our customers to capitalize on the technological strengths offered by both companies," said Avi Vaidya, Vice President and General Manager MarconiTest Systems. Tom Erdman, Vice President and General Manager of Harris' Network Support Division, added, "We look forward to partnering with Marconi in this initiative as a first step of co-operation between our companies as we seek better ways to insure our customers receive the best possible products and services." 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 and 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. Additional information about Marconi Corporation can be found at http://www.marconi.com/ . All brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. About Harris Corp. Harris Network Support Division, one of five divisions within Harris Corporation, delivers advanced management, test, and maintenance solutions for multi-vendor, multi-protocol networks of public and private communications service providers that solve the increasingly complex needs of operations, maintenance, and installation professionals in telecommunications, broadcast, and defense markets worldwide. Harris Corporation, which also provides government, tactical radio, broadcast, and microwave products and systems, provides sales andservices to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit http://www.harris.com/ . This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please referto the Form 20-F report and Form 6-K reports 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 enquiries: Geof Becker, tel: 724-742-6377; email: DATASOURCE: Marconi Corporation plc CONTACT: Geof Becker of Marconi Corporation plc, +1-724-742-6377, or Web site: http://www.marconi.com/ http://www.harris.com/

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