HIGH WYCOMBE, England, December 9 /PRNewswire/ --

In a five-year deal, BT Group plc selected Tellabs to provide solutions for part of its groundbreaking Ethernet-based mobile backhaul service. BT Wholesale provides Managed Ethernet Access solutions for mobile operators who use BT's 21st Century Network-based service(1).

Our customers demand a comprehensive solution, which is both scalable and flexible in delivering their 2G, 3G voice and data services, said George Nazi, managing director of BT's 21CN programme. We chose the Tellabs solution because it brings manageability, flexibility and scalability in meeting these demands.

Managed Ethernet Access for Mobile Operators enables mobile operators to cope with the rapid growth in high-speed mobile data, said Nazi. Tellabs demonstrated the solution and capability to deliver synchronised timing capability on its terminating equipment.

Innovating in mobile backhaul is key

Under the frame contract Tellabs will deliver its mobile backhaul solution, including the Tellabs(R) 8600 managed edge system, and consulting and support services. The solution has won quick and widespread traction among operators globally as a key element of Tellabs' strategy to innovate in growth markets.

Our mobile backhaul solution is designed to help mobile and wireline customers succeed, said Rob Pullen, CEO and president at Tellabs. We are pleased that we can provide an innovative solution for BT, a key player in the global communications market.

BT is preparing itself for its customers' migration from traditional E1 leased lines to higher-capacity, more cost-effective Ethernet-based base station connectivity. The deal with Tellabs will enable BT to meet its customers' needs for managing data traffic growth in the network cost-efficiently.

With the innovative Tellabs 8600 system, BT can roll out its Managed Ethernet Access Service end-to-end. This infrastructure enables BT's customers to converge all their 2G and 3G traffic across the Ethernet infrastructure.

A managed network architecture ready for an all IP-world

The Tellabs(R) 8660 access switch will be deployed at the mobile aggregation sites, while the Tellabs(R) 8605 access switch will be located at the mobile cell-sites.

Tellabs' Professional Services division is providing consultancy and network design services, complementing BT's capabilities. The network will be managed by the Tellabs(R) 8000 network management system, ensuring a smooth transition from today's TDM and ATM infrastructure to an all-IP network, in line with BT's 21CN vision.

(1) For examples of BT mobile operator customers see http://www.btintheloop.com/november_2008/21c_wholesale_ethernet_helps_pro viders_meet_mobile_broadband_demands_as_they_go_network_light

About BT -- BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc's revenue was 20,704 million pounds sterling with profit before taxation and specific items of 2,506 million pounds sterling.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit http://www.bt.com/aboutbt

About Tellabs -- Tellabs advances telecommunications networks to meet the evolving needs of users. Solutions from Tellabs enable service providers to deliver high-quality voice, video and data services over wireline and wireless networks around the world. Tellabs (Nasdaq: TLAB) is part of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, Ocean Tomo 300(TM) Patent Index, the SP 500 and several corporate responsibility indexes including FTSE4Good and eight KLD indexes. http://www.tellabs.com

Tellabs and Tellabs logo are registered U.S. trademarks of Tellabs Operations, Inc. in the United States and/or in other countries.

Media, Beatrice Martin-Vignerte, +44-870-238-4761, beatrice.m-vignerte@tellabs.com, or Ariana Nikitas, +1-630-798-2532, ariana.nikitas@tellabs.com, or Investors, Tom Scottino, +1-630-798-3602, tom.scottino@tellabs.com, all of Tellabs