Avaya showcases network infrastructure for 2002 FIFA World Cup at final Draw Event in Busan, Korea

Avaya a global leader in corporate networking solutions and services and a sponsor of the F'ed'eration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, provided the network infrastructure required for members of the international press to communicate the results of the final Draw Event held in Busan, Korea today to the rest of the world.

At the same time, VIP guests invited to the Final Draw event organised by FIFA, were offered a glimpse of the converged voice and data network that will be built and tailored for the 2002 FIFA World Cup to be held next June in Korea and Japan. The FIFA World Cup network will be one of the largest converged voice and data networks in the world.

Avaya is the first official convergence communication partner to be appointed by FIFA for the FIFA World Cup. Being a FIFA World Cup partner is a rare privilege and Avaya, just over a year old, is honoured to be one of a limited number of global brand leaders sponsoring this prestigious competition.

FIFA will rely on Avaya`s network for logistics - such as the movement of players and accreditation of more than 40 000 volunteers and reporters - and to provide reporters from around the globe with ready access to scores, statistics and other tools critical to the coverage of the games.

As befitting one of the world`s premier sporting events, the network technology that Avaya will provide to support the 2002 FIFA World Cup are in equally impressive numbers. Though the exact requirements are still being worked out between Avaya and FIFA IT, which is responsible for delivering data and voice solutions to support the games in Korea and Japan, initial estimates of the network grid are already running up to FIFA `World Cup` proportions :

- Over 1 000 miles of SYSTIMAX structured cabling

- Over 25 000 connections

- Over 100 Avaya Cajun network switches

- Over 150 separate WAN connections

- Over 200 Access Point Routers

- Connecting more than 10 000 data and communications devices

- Over 50 IP Voice Communications Systems

Avaya communications and data devices, and network switches and routers will link 20 stadiums in Korea and Japan, making the FIFA World Cup network one of the largest converged voice and data networks in the world. The applications which Avaya will connect will cover Games Management Systems, Internet access, Accreditation, Results System, Ticketing, Media System and also support other logistics such as Materials Inventory, Accommodation, Transportation, Security, Office Automation and Groupware.

The first segment of the network was put in place in time for the Busan event today, in which first-round teams are grouped by draw at the BEXCO Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Avaya also showcased its technology at a special `commercial display` booth together with displays set up by other FIFA World Cup partners at BEXCO. Avaya will showcase its data networking solutions as well as the network topology diagram for the solutions it is providing.

"Avaya networks and solutions behind each communication and computer hookup for the games will test Avaya`s expertise but we are confident of delivering on our promise of making the 2002 FIFA World Cup (tm), a technology benchmark for future world-class sporting events," said Mark Leigh, president, Avaya Asia Pacific.

Leigh added that journalists covering the FIFA World Cup will require ready access to scores and statistics, therefore flawless network performance is of very high importance. Avaya, with its state-of-the-art communication solutions, will provide the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with solutions that have 99.99% reliability.

Doug Gardner, Avaya`s FIFA World Cup regional managing director, said: "Avaya`s network switches, wireless data products, IP communications systems, virtual private networks and network management technologies, together with Avaya`s structured connectivity solutions will be used to wire the venues and support high-speed connections that will link 24 venues in Korea and Japan. This is the first time any network systems supporting a FIFA World Cup event has had to cross seas and provide network support in two countries." Avaya`s milestones for the network will parallel those of the FIFA World Cup teams as they march toward the finals.

The second milestone will be the opening of the accreditation centres for reporters and volunteers and the testing of the International Media and Broadcasting Centres in April. The third and final milestone will be the network "going live" around mid-May 2002, at all venues - in time for the 64 final competition matches that begin 31 May.

Avaya`s broad sports marketing and technology agreement with FIFA includes not only sponsorship of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but also the FIFA Women`s World Cup 2003 hosted by China PR and the 2006 FIFA World Cup hosted by Germany. Avaya is FIFA`s Official Convergence Communication Provider for the competition and will supply the communications infrastructure required to support the massive event across a global venue. This includes a comprehensive converged network that will combine voice and data on the same infrastructure, saving money and simplifying network administration.