Supplier Diversity Challenge

In June 1999, our company, on behalf of the Telecommunications Industry Group, helped issue a challenge to the entire telecommunications industry asking that all companies establish world-class supplier diversity programs and goals of 10% procurement from diversity suppliers. Known as the "Supplier Diversity Challenge" which was issued at the industry's annual SUPERCOMM event, the challenge looked to increase supplier diversity spending by $5 billion.

By the year 2000, over 34 total companies were added to the signatory list, up from the original 14 companies. Supplier diversity spending increased in the first year of "The Challenge" by $1 billion. Our corporation accounted for over $400M of that increase.

Today, over 90 telecommunications companies are now pledging to increase supplier diversity spending results within their companies and the industry. The telecommunications' Supplier Diversity Challenge has achieved over $28 billion total supplier diversity spending, representing 8.3%, from 1999 through 2003. If you are a diversity supplier seeking business opportunities in the telecommunications industry, explore these industry leaders who are making significant strides in diversifying their supply chains.

1999 Challenge Original Signatories
Alcatel Ameritech Bell Atlantic BellSouth CTDI Fujitsu Graybar	GTE Lucent Motorola Nortel SBC Siemens US West

2000 Challenge New Signatories
3M ADC Advanced Fibre Communications BICC General Paceon Corporation Cherokee Nations Industries, Inc. Complas Computer Output Printing, Inc. (COPI) Corning Cable Systems, LLC Ericsson GDC Global Crossing Harvard Manufacturing- Texas	LeeMah Sunbelt Telcobuy.com Telmar Logistics Majestic Management, Inc. Marconi Communications Pacific Network Supply Telamon Corporation Telcordia Tellabs Telpro Technologies, Inc. World Wide Technologies

2001 Challenge New Signatories
ACR Quality Communications Installations Inc. ADTRAN Agilent Technologies Argent Associates, Inc. AT&T Avaya Belden Inc. Cadence Industries CCI Tekontrol, Inc. Ciena Corporation Conway Communications, LLC DTSI Dynis, Inc. Lextron Corp. Link America, Inc. Nextel Communications Nokia Washington Cable Operational Technologies Corp. Optical Datacom	Pacific Access Pinkerton Cables, Inc. Pulse Communications, Inc. Riverstone Networks SDV Telecommunications, Inc. SONUS Networks Sprint North Supply Stockton Telecom Superior Essex TDB Communications Telect, Inc. TSI Turnstone Systems, Inc. U.S. Telcom Supply, Inc. Verizon VoltDelta Warren Electric Group Westell, Inc. WireAmerica, Inc. XEL Communications

2002 Challenge New Signatories
Aguilar Engineering Atlanta Cable Sales Best Products Company Cingular Wireless CONKLIN Corporation Innov8 Solutions Johnson Controls	KARLEE KGP Telecommunications Matrix Net SOMERA Tempo Visions Telecomm

2003 Challenge New Signatories

Maya Communications Netcom Solutions OFS Solectron Valor Telecom