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Exhibit 99.1 News Release
    
    (NORTEL NETWORKS LOGO)
 www.nortelnetworks.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    
    August 16, 2004For more information:Investors:
    
    Media:(888) 901-7286
    
    Tina Warren(905) 863-6049
    
    (905) 863-4702investor@nortelnetworks.com
    
    tinawarr@nortelnetworks.com
 Nortel Networks Updates Status of RCMP Review TORONTO  Nortel Networks* Corporation [NYSE/TSX: NT] announced that it
received today a letter from the Integrated Market Enforcement Team of the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the RCMP) advising the Company that the RCMP
will commence a criminal investigation into the Companys financial accounting
situation. These matters have been the subject of an ongoing review by the RCMP. Nortel
Networks will continue to cooperate fully with the RCMP in connection with the
investigation. Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on transforming how
the world communicates and exchanges information. The Company is supplying its
service provider and enterprise customers with communications technology and
infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and multimedia services
spanning Wireless Networks, Wireline Networks, Enterprise Networks, and Optical
Networks. As a global company, Nortel Networks does business in more than 150
countries. More information about Nortel Networks can be found on the Web at
www.nortelnetworks.com or www.nortelnetworks.com/media_center. Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is
subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted
in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events.
Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations
include, among other things: the outcome of Nortel Networks independent review
and planned restatement of its previously announced or filed financial results;
the impact of the management changes announced on April 28, 2004; the impact of
the inability to meet Nortel Networks filing obligations on support facilities
and public debt obligations; the sufficiency of Nortel Networks restructuring
activities, including the potential for higher actual costs to be incurred in
connection with restructuring actions compared to the estimated costs of such
actions; continued reductions in spending by Nortel Networks customers;
fluctuations in Nortel Networks operating results and general industry,
economic and market conditions and growth rates; the communication by Nortel
Networks auditors of the existence of material weaknesses in internal control;
Nortel Networks ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations
in Nortel Networks cash flow, level of outstanding debt and current debt
ratings; the use of cash collateral to support Nortel Networks normal course
business activities; the dependence on Nortel Networks subsidiaries for
funding; the impact of Nortel Networks defined benefit plans and deferred tax
assets on results of operations and Nortel Networks cash flows; Nortel Networks
dependence on new product development and its ability to predict market demand
for particular products; Nortel Networks ability to integrate the operations
and technologies of acquired businesses in an effective manner; the impact of
rapid technological and market change; the impact of price and product
competition; barriers to international growth and global economic conditions,
particularly in emerging markets and including interest rate and currency
exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of rationalization in the
telecommunications industry; changes in regulation of the Internet; the impact
of the credit risks of Nortel Networks customers and the impact of customer
financing and commitments; stock market volatility generally and as a result of
acceleration of the settlement date or early settlement of Nortel Networks
purchase contracts; the impact of Nortel Networks supply and outsourcing
contracts that contain delivery and installation provisions, which, if not met,
could result in the payment of substantial penalties or liquidated damages; the
future success of Nortel Networks strategic alliances; and the adverse
resolution of litigation, investigations, intellectual property disputes and
similar matters. For additional information with respect to certain of these
and other factors, see the most recent Form 10 Q/A and Form 10-K/A filed by
Nortel Networks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel Networks
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. -end-  *
    
    Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks logo, the Globemark and Business Without
Boundaries are trademarks of Nortel Networks.