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We are also focused on enterprises and we continue to provide optical solutions for private enterprise networking and also for service providers
to build and operate custom dedicated networks for enterprises. We leverage numerous channels for delivering optical networking solutions to
enterprises from our own direct sales force for large enterprises and governments and through distributors, resellers and partners to offer our
solution to medium-sized enterprises and smaller enterprises. None of our Optical Networks customers represented more than 10% of Nortel
Networks consolidated revenues in 2003.
Competition
Our major competitors in the sale of optical networking equipment include Alcatel, Lucent, Siemens, Fujitsu Limited, Marconi plc, Cisco,
Huawei, NEC, Ciena and ADVA International Inc. Market position in the global market for optical networking equipment can fluctuate
significantly on a quarter-by-quarter basis. However, we continue to be a leading global provider of optical networking equipment. No one
competitor is dominant in the optical networking equipment market.
The primary global factors of competition for our Optical Networks products include:
Our focus is on increasing market share relative to our competitors.
Sales and distribution
All of our reportable segments use the Nortel Networks direct sales force to market and sell to customers around the world. The Nortel
Networks global sales force operates on a regional basis and markets and sells our products and services to customers located in the following
regional areas: Canada; United States; CALA; EMEA; and Asia Pacific. Our sales office bases for our direct sales force are aligned with our
customers on a country and regional basis.
We have dedicated sales account teams for certain major service provider customers. These dedicated teams are located close to the customers’
main purchasing locations. In addition, teams within the regional sales groups are dedicated to our enterprise customers. Our Enterprise
Networks sales teams work directly with the top regional enterprises, and are also responsible for managing regional distribution channels. We
also have centralized marketing, product management and technical support teams dedicated to individual product lines that support the global
sales and support teams.
In the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, we also use agents to interface with our customers. In addition, we have some small non-
exclusive distribution agreements with distributors in EMEA, CALA and the Asia Pacific region. In Enterprise Networks, certain service
providers, system integrators, value-added resellers and stocking distributors act as non-exclusive distribution channels for our products.
Backlog
Our backlog was approximately $3.3 billion and $3.3 billion as of September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, respectively. A majority of
backlog consists of orders confirmed with a binding purchase order or contract for our network solutions typically scheduled for delivery to our
customers within the next twelve months. A significant portion of backlog may also include orders that relate to revenue that has been deferred
for periods longer than twelve months. However, orders are subject to possible rescheduling by customers. Although we believe that the orders
included in the backlog are firm, we may elect to permit cancellation of orders without penalty where management believes that it is in our best
interest to do so. Prior
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• technology leadership, product features and availability;
• product quality and reliability;
• conformity to existing and emerging regulatory and industry standards;
• warranty and customer support;
• price and cost of ownership;
• interoperability with other networking products;
• network management capabilities;
• traditional supplier relationships, particularly in EMEA and the Asia Pacific region; and
• regulatory certification, particularly for incumbent local and long-distance telephone companies.