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Sprint Extends Strong Relationship with Dana Corporation Sprint Works Closely with Leading Auto Supplier to Help Consolidate Networks And Simplify Vendor Management OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint today announced a three-year agreement with Dana Corporation , a leading automotive supplier. This marks the continuation of an agreement for Sprint to provide voice virtual private network (VPN), frame relay and collaborative services to Dana Corporation locations around the world. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO ) As part of the global agreement, Sprint will provide SprintLink Frame Relay(SM) to link 12 Dana Corporation offices in Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan. SprintLink Frame Relay is a next-generation service that allows frame relay packets to ride securely over the SprintLink native IP core. Dana Corporation will benefit from the scalable bandwidth, intelligence and reliability of IP, while maximizing existing investments in frame relay customer premises equipment and expertise. SprintLink Frame Relay is based on Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Version 3 (L2TPv3) -- an emerging industry standard, which is a feature of Cisco IOS(R) Software. "Sprint has provided us with quality service for seven years, so it was an easy decision to continue working with them," said Harry Malpass, manager of network and security systems, Dana Corporation. "By working with Sprint, we have reduced the number of service providers from seven to three, which has simplified vendor management and helped us achieve our goal of substantially reducing overall telecommunications costs." Dana Corporation has acquired several companies over the past 12 years, which presents the challenge of educating employees on new systems and integrating new facilities into the core infrastructure. Sprint has worked closely with Dana Corporation to identify ways to streamline systems and consolidate networks for increased responsiveness and efficiency. For example, Dana Corporation chose to migrate its existing global data network to Sprint frame relay services which offers a flexible network design to meet its specific needs and provides secure, reliable high-speed data connections. Dana Corporation added 50 locations to its current Sprint Voice VPN service, which allows for seven-digit dialing (versus 10-digit dialing) between all of its domestic facilities. Additionally, Sprint has implemented collaborative solutions, including audio and video conferencing, and Sprint Online Presenter(SM), a Web-based data conferencing tool that can allow up to 2,500 participants to exchange ideas and attend a virtual conference in real-time. By utilizing such solutions, Dana Corporation has increased productivity by connecting employees from a number of regions in real time, thus reducing travel time and expenses. Sprint is committed to delivering integrated communication solutions that help manufacturers address their needs for cost management, connectivity and operational efficiency. Sprint was recognized for its leadership in serving the manufacturing industry earlier this year when it was presented the 2002 Market Engineering Leadership Award for the Manufacturing Vertical from Frost & Sullivan, a leading growth consulting firm. "Keeping ahead of customer demand and providing quality customer service are top areas of focus in order for manufacturing companies to remain competitive," said Mark Bowser, senior vice president of sales, Sprint Business. "Dana Corporation appreciated that Sprint is a 'one-stop shop' in terms of being able to serve their voice and data needs domestically and internationally, including their offices in Canada, Australia and the Asia Pacific region." About Dana Corporation Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle manufacturers, and their aftermarkets. The company employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates hundreds of technology, manufacturing, and customer service facilities in 30 countries. The company reported 2002 sales of $9.5 billion. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com/ . About Sprint Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 70,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/ . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Sprint CONTACT: Media, Stephanie Taliaferro, +1-913-794-3658, , or for information about Sprint's manufacturing industry strategy, Jackie Bostick, +1-913-794-3045, , both of Sprint Web site: http://www.dana.com/ http://www.sprint.com/

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