Fujitsu Takes on WorldCom’s ‘Terabit Challenge’ with FLASHWAVE^TM OADX

Largest Capacity DWDM System is Put to Test in Carrier’s Network

RICHARDSON, Texas, DATE, 2000 WorldCom is testing a massive bandwidth transmission system from Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., moving vast amounts of bandwidth in a real-world fiber environment. WorldCom has named this testing the "Terabit Challenge."

Fujitsu is supplying its FLASHWAVE OADX dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system for the Terabit Challenge, which began in October and is scheduled for completion at the end of the year. Network deployments are targeted to commence in 2001.

WorldCom selected Fujitsu to participate in the Terabit Challenge following lengthy evaluation of a number of competing suppliers. The FLASHWAVE OADX is a next generation DWDM transmission and optical add/drop platform that provides up to 176 channels, each capable of carrying 10 gigabits (billion bits) per second of traffic. The system uses 88 channels in each of two bands of the transmission spectrum, the C and L bands, using 50GHz spacing between each channel.

"WorldCom conducts extensive testing on all vendor products and services before deployment on the network, ensuring the highest possible quality and compatibility," said Fred Briggs, chief technology officer, WorldCom. "The Terabit Challenge allows vendors to showcase their products while allowing WorldCom to test various network solutions."

The Terabit Challenge network environment reflects the real world that carriers face as they attempt to deploy ever-higher bandwidth to fill the needs of their business and residential customers. Product implementation will begin by 2001, once successful testing has been completed"Fujitsu is eager to demonstrate our technical and real-world networking superiority in the Terabit Challenge," said Ron Martin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Fujitsu Network Communications. "This gives us the opportunity to prove the reliability, flexibility, and scalability of our FLASHWAVE OADX system to WorldCom and other carriers. These super-high-bandwidth systems are the future of network transport, and WorldCom’s Terabit Challenge provides a strong push toward that future."

"Fujitsu is thrilled to take part in WorldCom's Terabit Challenge and we will spare no effort to make it a success," said Koichi Ohta, Transport Systems Group President and Member of the Board, Fujitsu Limited. "Through this pathbreaking testing, we are confident that the strengths of our technology will come to be widely recognized in the industry, and we intend to carve out a leadership position in the global broadband transport market."

Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., designs and manufactures fiber-optic transmission and broadband switching platforms, develops software that allows customers to perform in-service management and monitoring of the telephone network, and provides network design, installation, and maintenance services. 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 (TSE: 6702), a $50 billion leading provider of comprehensive information technology and networking solutions for the global marketplace. Product information is available by calling 800-777-FAST. Its World Wide Web site is www.fnc.fujitsu.com.

FLASHWAVE^TM is a trademark of Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.