Fujitsu Australia Limited

Fujitsu teams up with ABB and Downer for Nava-1 network

Sydney, 23 October, 2001 — Fujitsu Australia announced today that it has selected two suppliers, ABB Australia and Downer Engineering, for the works associated with the Nava-1 terrestrial fibre-optic cable system from Perth to Melbourne via Adelaide.

Nava Networks recently awarded Fujitsu the role of prime contractor for the implementation of the Nava-1 network, a high capacity DWDM optical system that will link Singapore-Jakarta-Perth using submarine cable and Perth-Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney using terrestrial cable.

ABB will perform the works for the link from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie, while Downer Engineering will perform the works from Perth to Kalgoorlie and Melbourne to Port Augusta via Adelaide. As prime contractor for the Nava-1 network, Fujitsu will manage the integration of an existing PowerTel network for the Melbourne-Sydney segment.

"Fujitsu is pleased to have two of the most experienced engineering companies supporting us with this significant project," said Mr John Kranenburg, Executive Director Telecommunications, Fujitsu Australia Limited.

ABB and Downer Engineering have already commenced the route design, selection and negotiations for the right of way, which will be followed by path excavation and then laying the optical fibre. ABB and Downer will use leading-edge technology to implement the terrestrial route across some of the harshest conditions in the country, including the Nullarbor Plain.

"With an extensive workforce throughout Australia and widespread experience with telecommunications projects, ABB is well placed to deal with the challenges an infrastructure build across the Nullarbor Plain demands," ABB's General Manager, Mr Roy Rowe said.

Downer Engineering CEO, Mr Chris Denney, said "Downer Engineering is delighted to be associated with Fujitsu and Nava Networks on the Nava-terrestrial fibre link. We were able to propose a number of route alternatives which offered Nava-1 advantages, including diversity, over current and previously installed fibre links."

The construction for the 3,700-km terrestrial route will commence late January 2002. The ready for service date is scheduled for 1st quarter 2003.

---

About Fujitsu Australia Limited

Fujitsu is one of the world's leading e-services organisations. Fujitsu technology solutions, from servers to e-Business applications, are powering the new Internet economy. In Australia and New Zealand Fujitsu is helping corporate and government customers to design, build and operate solutions which offer competitive advantage in the Internet world, from state-of-the-art infrastructure through to complex e-Business solutions. Our portfolio of IT services includes consulting, systems integration, prime contracting and a full range of professional services. Fujitsu Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited of Japan.
For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com.au

ABB Australia

ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering their environmental impact. ABB has 160,000 employees in more than 100 countries.
For more information, please see: www.abb.com/au

Downer Engineering

Downer Engineering is a division of Downer EDI Limited, an Australian listed company which provides comprehensive engineering and infrastructure management services to the public and private rail, road, power, telecommunications, mining and resource sectors in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Hong Kong and the Pacific.
For more information, please see: www.downeredi.com

---

Press Contacts