Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, has announced that it is increasing production capacity at its UK headquarters in Birmingham to meet growing demand for its broadband solutions. From May 2002, the site will be manufacturing Fujitsu's leading edge DSL access platform, FDX, in addition to the UK's most widely deployed fibre access solution, FBX Access. Fujitsu is already playing a key role in the rollout of ADSL across the United Kingdom, as the major supplier of broadband solutions to BT.

General Manager of Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited, Andy Stevenson, commented:
"By manufacturing FDX in the UK we are able to reduce cost and lead times to meet the increased demand for broadband services. We are 100% committed to supporting BT's roll-out schedule for ADSL across the UK, and have identified several key steps that would assist with this process. Our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility operates as part of Fujitsu's highly automated global manufacturing resource. This enables us to ensure the fastest possible times to market across a wide cross-section of products - giving us extremely flexible control over the production cycle. We are now able to respond precisely in line with market requirements, ramping up production as operator volumes increase. It is a fact that no other broadband manufacturer in the UK is able to offer this level of service."

In March this year, BT announced targets of one million asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) connections in the UK by Summer 2003. This aggressive schedule, combined with a significant reduction in wholesale ADSL line rental charges, has boosted the market dramatically, and Fujitsu is now shipping ever-increasing numbers of DSL ports - this has been made possible through the development of both supply chain and manufacturing capability over recent months. As new production facilities at Fujitsu's Birmingham plant come on line, manufacture will ramp from an initial 62,000 to over 86,000 lines of DSL equipment per month.

Fujitsu's FDX xDSL access platform portfolio is designed to enable cost-effective delivery of a complete range of broadband services. These range from simple fast Internet access and packet-based telephony, to complete interactive digital television packages over a single, copper telephone line, using ADSL and SHDSL technologies. The company's recently launched self-install plug & play FDX310 USB Modem is an example of Fujitsu's innovative xDSL product approach - the FDX310 has secured a market-leading position, attracting excellent reviews for its performance, ease of installation and reliability.

Fujitsu has a long-standing reputation for innovation relating to xDSL technology developments, and has demonstrated a continuing commitment to reduce the costs of deploying ADSL. Its FDX xDSL access platform is complemented by a range of fibre access solutions, customer premises equipment and a complete range of turnkey network services - combining to enable Fujitsu to offer unrivalled support for the deployment of broadband access networks in the UK.

About Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe

Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited is the largest supplier of Broadband Access equipment in the United Kingdom and is Fujitsu's worldwide design location for access network solutions - including a centre of excellence for the development of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology.

Currently employing some 1200 staff and headquartered in Birmingham, UK, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe is focused on providing strategic end-to-end solutions, supported by complete turnkey services. Fujitsu is playing a fundamental role in the creation of "Broadband Britain" - from world-leading products and technology, through project planning, community liaison, cable laying and civil engineering, to installation, implementation and ongoing maintenance. For more information, please visit: www.ftel.co.uk

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