NEC Corporation (Nasdaq:NIPNY) announced it has received an order from Japan Telecom Co., Ltd., to supply Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) Repeaterless Optical Submarine Cable System that will offer backbone network services in northeastern Japan. NEC has already started delivering the systems, and the network will be completed in March 2002. The service is expected to commence operation in the spring of 2002.

Upon completion, the 174-mile (280 km) optical submarine cable repeaterless network will connect Hachinohe (in Japan's Aomori prefecture) and Muroran (Hokkaido prefecture) at a total capacity of 7.68 terabits -- the equivalent capacity of 92 million telephone lines.

The popularity of the Internet is increasing the demand for a large-capacity backbone networks, and Japan Telecom is constructing optical network infrastructures, including the project awarded for NEC. The Hachinohe-Muroran submarine cable system route will be an important network that supports Japan Telecom's network together with terrestrial networks.

NEC estimates that the company is currently the world's second-leading supplier of submarine systems with 21 percent of the submarine cable system market.

About NEC Corporation:

NEC Corporation (Nasdaq:NIPNY) (FTSE:6701q.l) is a provider of Internet solutions, dedicated to meeting needs of customers in computer, network and electron device fields through its three companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. For more information, visit www.nec.com.