RNS Number:2488D
Newport Networks Group PLC
23 September 2004


23 September 2004

MARCONI ENHANCES NEXT-GENERATION SOFTSWITCH WITH NEWPORT NETWORKS' INTERCONNECT
                                   TECHNOLOGY

 Marconi to re-sell Newport Networks' carrier class 1460 Session Controller as
                        part of its SoftSwitch platform


Newport Networks Group PLC ("Newport Networks") (London: NNG) is pleased to
announce that Marconi Corporation plc ("Marconi") (London: MONI and NASDAQ:
MRCIY) has enhanced its next-generation SoftSwitch platform with a carrier-class
Session BORDER="0" Controller (SBC) provided by Newport Networks under a
worldwide reseller agreement. The combined solution will enable operators to
police the provision of new next-generation network services more thoroughly and
reduce the cost of interoperability between networks.

The new Marconi-Newport Networks relationship is a combination of a worldwide
reseller agreement and a strategic product development partnership. It builds on
a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two firms in December 2003 for the
provision and exchange of SBC technology. The partnership will work on a number
of initiatives such as the development of Session Initiation Protocol interfaces
and interoperability between network technologies.

"This agreement with Newport Networks continues to ensure that the Marconi
SoftSwitch harnesses 'best-in-class' technology to deliver the next-generation
network," said Martin Harriman, chief marketing officer, Marconi Corporation
plc. "The Newport Networks' 1460 Session Controller sits at the core of our
SoftSwitch solution. Its selection by Marconi for this key, strategic role is an
endorsement of the product and its carrier-class credentials."

SBCs can be located at two areas within the Next-Generation Network (NGN):
between the user and the SoftSwitch; and between different service providers'
networks.

SBCs are critical to the control of the NGNs as they allow IP-connected users,
such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) customers, controlled access to the
network. SBCs that sit between service providers' networks interconnect traffic
using IP, making interoperability between new networks a reality.

The 1460 Session Controller is ideal for Tier 1 service providers and can handle
around 70,000 simultaneous calls, corresponding to around 700,000 subscribers.

John Everard, chief executive of Newport Networks Group PLC, stated: "We are
delighted to conclude this important reseller agreement with Marconi. The
solution combines the advantages of the Marconi SoftSwitch with the carrier
class Newport Networks Session Controller. Collectively these products better
address the growing needs of major Service Providers around the world."


For further information, please contact:

Newport Networks Group PLC
Press and analyst enquiries
John Everard, Chief Executive, Newport Networks, tel:+44 20 7920 3150
Justin Griffiths / Simon Hudson, Tavistock Communications, tel: +44 20 7920 3150

Marconi Corporation plc
Press enquiries
Patrick Murphy, tel: + 44 115 906 4151; email: patrick.murphy@marconi.com

Investor enquiries
Heather Green, tel: + 44 207 306 1735; email: heather.green@marconi.com

Industry Analyst enquiries
Skip MacAskill tel: +44 2476 56 3705; email: skip.macaskill@marconi.com


ENDS/...


About Newport Networks

Newport Networks Group PLC, listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the
London Stock Exchange in May 2004, has designed and developed the 1460 Session
Controller to solve existing commercial and technical problems in the provision
of Voice over IP (VoIP) and Multimedia over IP (MoIP) services. The 1460 Session
Controller addresses the key service delivery issues of quality and security,
enabling service providers to create new revenue streams from VoIP and MoIP
while controlling the cost of delivery. Based in the UK and North America,
Newport Networks has an experienced team headed by Chairman Terry Matthews and
CEO John Everard. The team has a proven track record of identifying new service
provider network technologies, developing products and managing the growth of
international businesses.

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 and on
NASDAQ under the ticker MRCIY. Additional information about Marconi Corporation
can be found at www.marconi.com.








                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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