Hitachi and OFS Demonstrate B-PON System at Supercomm

ATLANTA, GA., June 3, 2003 - Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc. and OFS are teaming up during Supercomm to demonstrate innovative fiber access applications for FTTH/FTTB. In particular, Hitachi will exhibit enhanced FTTx capabilities combining Broadband Passive Optical Networks (B-PON) Ethernet and Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) video transmissions into a single network over OFS' AllWave Fiber.

This is the first demonstration combining a B-PON and a CWDM overlay network to deliver data and/or enhanced video services to the subscriber. The result is an access network that can deliver Ethernet B-PON services to some customers, and dedicated wavelength services like video to others, all on the same network.

Although the B-PON, based on a technical license from NTT Access Network Service Systems Lab, is currently optimized for high-speed Ethernet data traffic, it offers the flexibility to handle video and voice applications as well. In Hitachi's booth #23781, the AMN1200 Optical Line Terminal (OLT) transmits streaming MPEG videos over AllWave Fiber to Optical Network Units (ONUs) :one located in Hitachi's booth and one located in OFS' booth #23729. Each location receives the video through the ONU and displays it on demand. In addition, one ONU transmits video back to the PC located at the OLT in Hitachi's booth to demonstrate the capability of peer-to-peer video networking. Finally, a CWDM grid is overlaid in the demonstration adding video transmission over three E-band wavelengths (DVD transmission and PC camera live video) to exhibit the flexibility that carriers demand.

Hitachi's AMN1200 FSAN and ITU-T Rec. G.983.3 compliant B-PON is optimized for high-speed Ethernet data to the home or small business. Currently, it is mass deployed and provides high-speed Ethernet access. Due to already high-volume mass production, Hitachi's B-PON realizes economies of scale leading to lower costs. The Ethernet over PON approach provides an affordable solution to high-speed data transmission, while supporting video and voice capabilities.

AllWave Fiber, which complies with ITU-T G.652.c is the industry's first zero water peak fiber and opens up the entire spectrum from 1260 to 1625 nm including the 1400 nm E-band, making it ideal for the metro and FTTx space. "As the benefits of FTTx come into the spotlight, Hitachi is pleased to show our low cost, high-speed Ethernet B-PON solution in action at Supercomm," says David Foote, CTO of Hitachi Telecom. "Interoperating with OFS' AllWave Fiber with a CWDM overlay illustrates capabilities that make PON an even more flexible solution for access applications."

About Hitachi Telecom (USA)

Hitachi Telecom (USA) Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., develops, manufactures and markets telecommunications equipment for the U.S. market. The company offers ultra high-speed optical networking equipment such as SONET and DWDM systems, access systems such as PON as well as customer premises products such as PBXs.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit http://www.hitachi.com.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 340,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002 (ended March 31, 2003) consolidated sales totaled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://global.hitachi.com.

About OFS

OFS is a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of leading edge optical fiber, optical fiber cable, optical connectivity and specialty photonics products for high-speed optical networks. OFS, formerly the Optical Fiber Solutions division of Lucent Technologies Inc., has a proven track record of being first in the industry with application specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers and more. OFS is committed to providing customers increased value by offering products that deliver lowest cost per bit network solutions, protecting investments through future flexible solutions.

OFS distributes its optical fiber, optical fiber cable, optical connectivity and specialty
Photonics products directly to end users, as well as through valued distributors, external cable customers and equipment vendors.

OFS is owned by Furukawa Electric, a multi-billion dollar global leader in optical communications and majority shareholder, and CommScope, Inc., a world leader in broadband coaxial cables and minority shareholder. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, OFS operates facilities in Avon, Connecticut; Carrollton, Georgia; Somerset, NJ; and Sturbridge, Massachusetts, as well as facilities in Denmark, Germany, Russia and Brazil.

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