Queensland’s Department of Education, Training and the Arts in Australia Awards 3Com Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Contract Extension

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS), a leading provider of converged network infrastructure solutions, today announced that it has extended its relationship with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA) in Queensland, Australia for five years, plus an option for three one-year extensions.  The multi-million dollar contract, which is the largest deal on record for 3Com in Asia Pacific outside of China, is to provide the network infrastructure solutions to support DETA’s ongoing initiative to modernize its educational environment.

3Com will supply all of the current and future technology innovations in 3Com’s portfolio, including many of its advanced solutions, such as its enterprise-grade multi-service routers (MSRs), unified communications platform and IP video solutions.  As the project unfolds, students and teachers in Queensland, a state that makes up almost a quarter of Australia’s land area, will benefit from unified communications, multimedia learning, and high-speed wireless access from anywhere on campus.

“DETA conducted a thorough technical evaluation of potential networking vendors and selected 3Com based on our technological sophistication, reliability and the value of our solutions, and its experience with the world-class service and support we’ve provided them for the past decade,” said Peter Chai, Vice President and General Manager for 3Com Asia Pacific.  “3Com has a sterling track record of education technology deployments in Asia Pacific, and we are pleased to be able to continue working with DETA to improve education delivery across Queensland.”

The complete converged solution 3Com will provide DETA includes:

         MSRs – leveraging  3Com’s Open Services Networking (OSN) architecture to embed the Expand WAN optimization module in the router;

        3Com Switch S7900Es – modular core switches, which provide the highest availability in the core of the network;

        3Com Switch 5500s – stackable switches that ensure flexibility, space saving and maximum connectivity at the network edge;

        3Com VCX Connect – SIP-based VoIP platforms that combines standard PBX features and advanced multimedia communications applications; and

         3Com Wireless Switch Controllers and 802.11n Access Points.

All 3Com enterprise equipment provided to DETA is developed by 3Com’s world-class research and development team in China, which is staffed by more than 2,500 engineers.  3Com networking solutions are based on advanced silicon manufacturing processes that are up to 60 percent more power-efficient than previous generation devices. This will help DETA achieve savings on operational energy costs.

DETA’s converged network solution will be supported by 3Com’s enterprise network, wireless and security management software, as well as professional and maintenance services. 3Com will work with local partners to roll out these solutions over the duration of the new contract.

Added Chai, “We hope our closer relationship with DETA will let us better support the Australian government’s directive to transform the classroom, enabling not just students but their prospective employers and the country to benefit from the power of information technology.”

About 3Com Corporation

3Com Corporation is a $1.3B global converged network infrastructure supplier that helps customers achieve business success by delivering solutions that provide exceptional value.  Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection.  For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

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