Fujitsu Debuts SPEEDPORT ™ DSL Solution

Company Unveils xDSL Internet & Data Services Strategy

RICHARDSON, Texas, May 1, 1997 — Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., today unveiled its SPEEDPORT DSL product, which enables service providers to offer high-speed Internet access and other data services over existing copper wiring in the local loop. Fujitsu also outlined its strategy for integrating DSL technology into its product line as it aggressively co-develops equipment with partner Orckit Communications (NASDAQ: ORCTF).

Fujitsu and Orckit announced their reseller and co-development alliance in March. They will show SPEEDPORT for the first time next week at the Networld+Interop trade show.

Fujitsu, a leading supplier of fiber-optic transmission equipment to telephone companies and other carriers, showcased SPEEDPORT for the first time at the Networld+Interop trade show. The SPEEDPORT DSL access multiplexer, originally developed by Orckit, uses international standards-based ADSL and SDSL (Asymmetric and Symmetric Digital Subscriber Loop) technologies. The ADSL uses the DMT (Discrete Multi-Tone) line code.

Both technologies enable high-speed digital modem transmission of data over twisted pair copper. ADSL moves data at up to 8 Mbps "downstream" (from the carrier to the customer) and up to 768 kbps "upstream" (from customer to carrier). SDSL in the SPEEDPORT implementation moves data at 768 kbps in both directions. A key benefit of SPEEDPORT is its ability to support simultaneous voice and data over the same twisted pair.

Using ADSL or SDSL, carriers can meet the demand for high bandwidth through the already-installed copper wiring throughout their local access network. They don’t need to wait until they install fiber-optic cable to offer ultra-fast services.

"SPEEDPORT has the advantage of being available now for installation in carrier networks," said Ron Martin, senior vice president of planning and development for Fujitsu. "Carriers can avoid delays in filling the swelling demand for high bandwidth from their residential and business customers. These customers are clamoring for fast Internet access and intranet and local area network interconnections. Services like these can’t exist over the local access network without the bandwidth that SPEEDPORT can deliver today."

Martin said the Fujitsu-Orckit alliance produces the first real end-to-end DSL solution, moving data from the user’s Ethernet interface to an ATM switch at the central office.

Fujitsu’s ADSL line card provides a single modem per card, based on an Orckit design. It gives rate-adaptive asymmetrical data service as fast as 8.192 Mbps downstream and 768 kbps upstream at distances up to 18,000 feet. The SDSL line card provides three SDSL modems per card, based on 2B1Q line coding. This system provides symmetrical data, selectable at 384 kbps in both directions at distances to 18,000 feet and 768 kbps for distances to 12,000 feet.

A carrier can easily implement DSL over the backbone, thanks to Fujitsu’s FASTLANE LAN/ATM product family. Simply adding a FASTLANE 10Base-T Ethernet card set to a Fujitsu FACTR access platform or the widely deployed FLM-150 ADM SONET multiplexer provides a link to the DSL shelf for a quick service turn-up. The FASTLANE-DSL combination extends a LAN at 8 Mbps speed to a remote site or home office over the local loop.

Fujitsu also presented a glimpse into the next stages of its DSL technology development. In 1998, the company said, it will offer VDSL and SDSL cards that plug right into the FACTR Broadband Access Platform. That integration will enable elimination of the external shelf.

"The integration won’t replace the 23-inch rack version, but is an add-on," explained Pawan Jaggi, Fujitsu’s senior product manager for access planning and management. "This integration is aimed at those carriers who want to provide a fiber-to-the-neighborhood implementation. For carriers who prefer to serve their customers from the central office or a remote terminal, we will continue to offer the rack version."

The VDSL cards will enable downstream data transmission of up to 52 Mbps and upstream transmission of 6 Mbps, depending on the length of the copper link to the customer.

Fujitsu and Orckit also will pursue HDSL (High-speed Digital Subscriber Line) solutions that adhere to 2B1Q standards. HDSL enables DS1 or T1 speeds of 1.544 Mbps in both directions. Fujitsu will offer the HDSL cards for the FACTR platform in 1998. It will be an integrated solution for central office/remote terminal and fiber-to-the-neighborhood applications.

Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., designs and manufactures fiber-optic transmission and broadband switching platforms and develops software that allows customers to perform in-service management and monitoring of the telephone network. Its customers include local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, competitive access providers and cable TV operators, as well as large private networks in North America. Fujitsu Network Communications is part of Fujitsu Limited, a $36 billion global technology leader in computers, communications and microelectronics. Its World Wide Web site is at http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com.