- Simultaneous launch of two new products, NX7700i and SIGMABLADE -

Tokyo, July 18, 2006 --- NEC Corporation today announced its new IT platform vision, REAL IT PLATFORM, for realization of next generation IT platforms. The new strategy incorporates principles and a roadmap for the development of IT platform products. Based on this new vision, NEC will swiftly respond to changes in enterprise business environments arising from the advancement of next generation networks (NGNs) and offer a series of innovative products, capable of realizing a flexible, dependable and simple next generation IT platform.

The "REAL" within the vision signifies both the REALization of IT solutions meeting current customer needs and the pursuit of REAL (true) next generation IT platforms. Core technologies of the new vision include scalable technology for realizing flexible expandability, integrated virtual machine (VM) technology for integrated operation of a variety of virtual computer software and dependable technology for realizing mainframe robustness.

NEC has developed a product roadmap for the next three years reflecting its new vision, enabling customers to optimize their capital investment plans for the construction of next generation IT platforms in the long term.

The first products for realization of the vision were launched today:

(1) Integrated Enterprise Server, NX7700i Series

This new high performance server for large platform systems comes in three models and realizes a high mainframe operation rate and mainframe robustness owing to the employment of the latest and fastest dual-core Intel? Itanium2 processor (note1*) and NEC's newly-developed chipset, A3 (A cubed). Moreover, it achieves 2.2 times greater performance than that of NEC's existing product.

(2) Next Generation Blade System, SIGMABLADE

This next generation blade system integrates not only servers and networks, but also storage. As a platform product, it is suitable for integrated storage and integrated servers such as database servers, web servers and application servers. A rich blade line-up meets various integration needs. In addition, the new system boasts the industry's first I/O virtualization feature enabling easy alteration of the configuration of I/O devices in accordance with needs.

Accompanying this is flexible connectivity, enabling one CPU blade to be connected to up to six I/O devices, whereas conventional blades only allow connection to one I/O device.

Corporations and governmental organizations are increasingly voicing the need for a flexible, dependable and simple next generation IT plat form that provides services round the clock and handles significant in creases in data. As NGNs advance, an increase in real-time business is expected, and along with this the need for prompt response to new business opportunities.

NEC incorporates innovative technologies into its products such as servers, storage and software, leveraging on its high-performance, highly reliable technologies acquired through the development of mainframes and supercomputers and a wealth of experience in building open mission critical systems (OMCSs). NEC's new vision has been created based on this aggregation of wealth and experience and it will strive to bring new and innovative products to the market in accordance with its product roadmap.

Notes*: (1) Intel, Itanium, Xeon are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and other countries. (2) Windows is either a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries. (3) Red Hat is either a trademark or registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. in the US and other countries. (4) Linux is either a trademark or registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the US and other countries.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately 4,825 billion yen (approx. $41.2 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2006. For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec.com  * Newsroom: http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/