Portable Acterna ONT-50 and ANT-10Gig Offer Comprehensive Solutions
for SONET/SDH Networks

Acterna today announced enhancements to its suite of optical network and SONET/SDH testers that make it easier for communication companies to test high-speed backbone and emerging metro networks. The new modules for the Acterna ONT-50 and ANT-10Gig testers provide all-in-one, portable, 10-Gbps test solutions for optical and SONET/SDH networks, respectively.

Acterna ONT-50
The new 10-gig module for Acterna's ONT-50 now measures all optical bit rates up to 10 Gbps, making it the most complete digital and optical DWDM solution available for field use. The tester can be equipped with up to four of these modules, making it suitable for testing 40-Gbps tributaries.

When these capabilities are combined with the ONT-50's powerful optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) and Q-factor analysis functions, engineers and network operators can perform all tests required during optical system installation and maintenance and optical component verification for 10-Gbps DWDM networks. Released this year, the ONT-50 was the first portable tester to combine optical and digital testing into a single unit. It features a modular design that allows easy upgrades, as well as powerful software and remote Web-based monitoring.

Acterna ANT-10Gig
With Acterna's ANT-10Gig SONET/SDH test solution, users can now conduct 10-Gbps analysis of two wavelengths in the core metro network. The tester now supports both 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths, essential for short-haul links in the metro network, in a single unit. The ANT-10Gig will help manufacturers reduce time to revenue by quickly ensuring the proper functioning of SONET/SDH networks. It will also assist service providers by reducing the time required to troubleshoot problems in the metro network.

The ANT-10Gig was the first solution to test SONET and SDH backbones at the 10-Gbps level and measures bit error rates from 1.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps. The tester also offers industry-compliant measurements at OC-192/STM-64 for jitter and wander. Jitter, which results from shifted signals, and wander, which is caused by improper timing, can cause audible line interference if not measured and controlled.

"As high-speed networking accelerates to the metro market, testing plays a critical role in the successful deployment of optical networks," said Guido Frangenberg, director of product marketing, Acterna Optical Transport Division. "With these enhancements, Acterna has made it possible for the lab and field technician to have a complete test toolkit. This streamlined testing approach translates into time and cost savings."

The modules for the ONT-50 and ANT 10Gig will be available early 2002.

About Acterna Optical Transport Solutions
Acterna is the world's market leader in optical transport network testing and management equipment. The company's complete portfolio of optical testing equipment is used to help manufacture, deploy, manage and optimize high-speed fiber optic networks being built around the world to connect businesses and homes to the Internet, voice and data networks. A technology leader, Acterna was the first company in the industry to introduce a 10-Gigabit field-service instrument.

About Acterna
Acterna is the world's largest provider of test and management solutions for optical transport, access and cable networks, and the second largest communications test company overall. Focused entirely on providing equipment, software, systems and services, Acterna helps customers develop, install, manufacture and maintain their optical transport, access, cable, data/IP and wireless networks. The company serves customers in more than 80 countries. Acterna is a subsidiary of Acterna Corporation (NASDAQ: ACTR). Information about Acterna can be found on the Web at www.acterna.com.

Acterna, 20400 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876-4023. Tel: 866-ACTERNA ; Fax: 301-444-8469.