SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of 04/17/2003
Commission file number: 0-30924
MARCONI PLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
4th Floor
Regents Place
338 Euston Road
London
NW1 3BT
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.)
Yes No X
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In order to utilize the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"), Marconi plc ( the
"Company") is providing the following cautionary statement. Except for
historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Report on
Form 6-K may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Reform Act. The words "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "estimate",
"plan", "assume", "positioned", "will", "may", "risk" and other similar
expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends
which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements.
Reliance should not be placed on such statements because they involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond
the control of the Company, together with its subsidiaries (the "Group"), and
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ
materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results,
performance or achievement). Certain factors that may cause such differences
include but are not limited to the following: (1) any major disruption in
production at our key facilities; (2) changes in the environmental, tax and
other laws and regulations, which, among other things, could cause us to incur
substantial additional capital expenditures and operation and maintenance costs;
and (3) adverse changes in the markets for our products, including as a result
of increased competition in the highly competitive international markets for
such products. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are discussed in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Form 6-K. Shareholders and
prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements which speak only as to the Company's judgment as of
the date hereof. Any such forward-looking statements are not intended to give
any assurance as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to
reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
MARCONI POSTS LARGEST MARKET SHARE GAIN IN EUROPEAN OPTICAL NETWORKS MARKET IN
2002 - REPORT
London, April 17, 2003 - A new report by the telecommunications research house
RHK states that Marconi (MONI) grew its market share in the European optical
networks market by four percentage points in 2002, the largest market share rise
of any equipment vendor during the period. RHK says in its report that Marconi
held a market leading position, alongside Alcatel, as a result. Marconi was also
identified as the clear leader in aggregation (synchronous digital hierarchy
multiplexing), being number one in traditional SDH aggregation and number two in
next-generation OED (optical edge devices).
In its market report entitled: "Alcatel and Marconi Top of Optical Class in
Europe", RHK found that both Marconi and Alcatel were top of the optical
networks leader board for Europe in 2002 with 21 per cent market share each.
Despite challenging market conditions, Marconi posted a four per cent market
share gain within the European optical networks market during 2002. RHK put
Marconi's success down, in part, to the company capitalising on the
infrastructure investment plans of its key customers in Europe, notably BT and
Telecom Italia.
The report also indicates that Marconi gained eight per cent of the European
market in aggregation - both traditional add-drop multiplexers and next
generation, where it now ranks first with 28 per cent of the market.
RHK defines European optical networking as the market for optical transport
equipment sold to network operators for their public or private (i.e. managed)
networks. According to RHK, Europe represented 26 per cent of the global market
in 2002, compared with 28 per cent in 2001. North America accounted for 30 per
cent and Asia-Pacific also represented 30 per cent, an increase of 12 per cent
from 2001.
"Our analysis shows that Marconi was able to strengthen its position, even
during difficult business conditions in the European optical networks industry,"
said Mark Lum, programme director for RHK's Optical Networks Europe practice.
"We are clearly pleased with RHK's findings, which gives us confidence in our
optical networks strategy, products and service. Particularly gratifying for
Marconi is the number two position gained in next-generation optical edge
devices, following the roll-out of Marconi's next-generation SDH portfolio,
launched in September 2002," said Martin Harriman, Marconi's chief marketing
officer.
ENDS/...
About Marconi plc
Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company
headquartered in London. The company's core business is the provision of
innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and
broadband access technologies and services. The company's aim is to help fixed
and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and increase
revenues.
The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest
telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange
under the symbol MONI. Additional information about Marconi can be found at
http://www.marconi.com.
About RHK Inc
RHK is a research and advisory services firm assisting the world's leading
telecommunications companies. For more information visit http://www.rhk.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products,
partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form
20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause
actual results to differ materially from such statements.
Copyright (c) 2003 Marconi plc. All rights reserved. All brands or product names
are trademarks of their respective holders.
Contacts
Joe Kelly
Public Relations
Marconi plc
+44 (0) 207 306 1771
+44 (0) 7801 722 931
joe.kelly@marconi.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MARCONI PLC
By: ____M Skelly____
Name: M Skelly
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 04/17/2003