From the back of the net to network in mere seconds

When the first ball hits the back of the net at the upcoming 2002 FIFA World Cup tournament, the rush will be on to get the photograph capturing the drama onto thousands of news desks and web sites across the world.

The communications network designed and built by Avaya Inc. a leading provider of voice and data networks and applications to businesses, will provide - for the first time - state-of-the-art wireless Internet access to photo journalists on the field in Korea and Japan, allowing them to upload images in seconds, rather than hours.

In addition to providing Avaya Wireless local area networks (LAN) for each of the stadiums, many of the 12,000 media representatives writing stories and features from the two large International Media Centers will be able to access the Internet by equipping their laptop PC with an 80211b Avaya Wireless LAN card. This will enable them to easily send emails, and file stories and graphics, as well as download data while roaming the facilities. In addition, Avaya will provide wireless LAN products and services at FIFA`s remote headquarters facilities in Seoul and Tokyo.

"As Europe`s largest sports digital network, we are very excited about the technological advancements made in content delivery for the 2002 FIFA World Cup this year," said Paul Wright, group sales and marketing director for Sports.com. "By receiving content faster than any other sporting tournament, media companies such as ourselves will be able to work in a near real-time environment and provide a better service to our end users."

The wireless LAN capability represents a core element of the implementation, which is one of the largest converged networks ever deployed by Avaya. Combining voice and data on the same infrastructure will greatly simplify network administration and has the potential to increase cost efficiencies. The project marks the first time a communications network will support simultaneous FIFA World Cup matches in two countries. This is also the first time fully converged systems will be used to schedule games and notify teams, review and accredit participants, report game results, track materials inventory, schedule and confirm accommodations and transportation, and track and maintain security systems.

FIFA officials, referees, journalists, players, volunteers and other participants will also have access to a fully converged voice and data network that features more than 40,000 connections, more than 200 Avaya Access Point IP Service Routes for wireless services and more than 25 Avaya Internet Protocol (IP) communications systems for voice over IP (VoIP) services.

To assure the compatibility and reliability of all systems, which often must operate under differing international standards and over multiple vendor networks, Avaya has designed a series of virtual private networks to regulate and secure wired and wireless access, and to help ensure flawless cross-border communications.

With intense worldwide interest in the games - according to FIFA statistics, the 1998 FIFA World Cup reached a cumulative audience of more than 33 billion across 196 countries - peak network performance is paramount to everyone associated with the FIFA World Cup. Avaya`s Services division is playing a key role in the design, maintenance and operations of the communications networks for the tournament.

Avaya will also support the FIFA Women`s World Cup 2003 to be hosted by China PR, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Germany.