Nortel Networks has confirmed that it is to invest about £29 million sterling (€47 million) in the North to manufacture Internet equipment. Five hundred jobs will be created at the Canadian firm's plant at Monkstown in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, and Nortel president and chief executive, Mr John Roth, yesterday visited the plant. Mr Mandelson said: "This immensely important investment positions the operation in Northern Ireland at the cutting edge of telecoms technology for the Internet."