ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING ACHIEVES A RECORD MILESTONE: 30,000 WDM CHANNEL CARDS DEPLOYED IN METRO NETWORKS

Martinsried/Munich, Germany, and Mahwah/New Jersey, USA – October 31, 2002 – ADVA Optical Networking (German Neuer Markt: ADV), a leading global provider of optical networking solutions, today announced that it has deployed a total of more than 30,000 Wavelength Division Multiplexing (“WDM”) channel cards in metro area networks. This record milestone is unprecedented in the metro optical networking industry, and points to ADVA’s increasing worldwide market traction, large installed customer base, and leadership position.

ADVA’s 30,000 WDM channel cards have been deployed into the networks of more than 60 carriers and 500 enterprises around the world, including such blue-chip names as BellSouth, BT, COLT Telecom, France Telecom, Telefonica, Telstra, and Verizon. Carriers and service providers utilize ADVA’s Coarse and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (“CWDM”, “DWDM”) solutions for such key services as storage networking, local area networking, traditional Synchronous Optical Network (“SONET”) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (“SDH”) transport, as well as transparent wavelength services. Enterprises primarily implement solutions like disaster recovery, metro-area high-speed LAN access and a converged networking infrasctructure.

Since its foundation in 1994, ADVA has developed four generations of optical networking platforms designed to provide the lowest total cost of ownership. Its Fiber Service Platform portfolio today comprises the FSP 500, FSP 1000, FSP 2000, and FSP 3000 for metro core network infrastructure, metro access networks, and enterprise networks. ADVA’s FSP systems are deployed for application speeds ranging from 100Mbit/s to 10Gbit/s.

“ADVA’s product strategy has allowed the supplier to avoid being a participant in the dramatic optical networking slump, while the typical vendor which over-extended itself from its core technological competency is suffering,” commented Mark Lutkowitz, Vice President of Optical Networking Research at Communications Industry Researchers. “ADVA’s ability to deploy another 10,000 WDM channels over the past 12 months in extremely weak market conditions is a testament to the merits of its pragmatic business game plan.”

“Reaching the 30,000 WDM channel card milestone clearly points to our leadership momentum and ability to successfully implement new technology into proven solutions for our stable and growing global customer base,” noted Brian L. Protiva, ADVA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Now more than ever, we will work closely with our customers to develop best-of-breed solutions that have the optimum balance between functionality, scalability, and economics. We are the leader in lowest total cost of ownership.”

ABOUT ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING
ADVA Optical Networking is a leading global provider of optical networking solutions for rapid and cost-effective provisioning of high-speed data, storage, voice, and video services in the metropolitan area. ADVA’s carrier-class portfolio is comprised of the Fiber Service Platform family of products - explicitly designed to ensure the lowest total cost of ownership. ADVA’s solutions have been deployed at over 60 carriers and service providers (including PTTs, RBOCs, LECs, and IXCs) and more than 500 enterprises worldwide. ADVA’s products are sold through an international network of blue-chip distribution partners in addition to its own direct sales force. Further information about ADVA Optical Networking: www.advaoptical.com.