Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Current Analysis Names Fujitsu One of Only Two Vendors with “Very Positive Momentum”

Fujitsu Also Given Highest Marks for Current Perspective and Vision

Richardson, TX, November 17, 2003 — Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leader in the IT and Telecommunications market, today announced that Current Analysis, the fastest-growing and most innovative provider of in-depth, real-time competitive intelligence and competitive response solutions, has named Fujitsu one of only two vendors ranked as having Very Positive Momentum in their Metro Edge Systems Market Assessment.  Fujitsu also received a “Positive” rating in both the Current Perspective and Vision categories.  No other vendor scored higher in any of their three performance metrics.

“Metro edge platforms link the access network to the metro core network,” wrote Anna Reidy, senior analyst of optical infrastructure at Current Analysis and author of the study.  “These platforms are next-generation Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADMs) that support ring topologies, and also may support point-to-point, mesh, linear, or hub-and-spoke topologies.  By adding additional functions such as wavelength support, distributed cross-connect, and data aggregation and switching, Fujitsu enables carriers to reduce the number of systems used to aggregate and transport traffic across the metro network.”

The comprehensive study assessed Fujitsu’s FLASHWAVE® 4500 metro edge platform against other products in a number of key areas, including short-term market drivers, long-term market drivers, Capital Expense (CAPEX) barriers, bandwidth efficiency, Ethernet support and service flexibility.

“The Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 4500 is very threatening to competitors in the metro edge space because it has been deployed by many carriers, including most RBOCs, has the combination of capacity, optical port density, variety of interface support, and Ethernet transport functionality that fit many carrier requirements for metro edge systems,” concluded Anna Reidy. “Given the preference these companies have for established, trusted suppliers, Fujitsu is in a position of strength.”

“Fujitsu is extremely gratified with the Current Analysis report regarding our FLASHWAVE 4500 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP),” said Doug Saylor, senior vice president of marketing for Fujitsu Network Communications. “Dozens of carriers and MSOs across North America, including Verizon and SBC, are using the advanced grooming capabilities and multiservice interfaces of the FLASHWAVE 4500 system to offer next-generation services to their customers.  In the process, our service provider partners realize many additional benefits, including rapid service deployment, converged networks, tremendous space and power savings, and seamless interaction with existing platforms and systems.”

Fujitsu has announced recent enhancements to its FLASHWAVE 4500 platform to reinforce its dominant position in the metro edge market.  New service interfaces include a multi-port DVB-ASI card to support transport of broadband video signals, a combined Fibre Channel/Gigabit Ethernet over SONET card to lower the cost of transport for Storage Area Networking (SAN) protocols, and a high-density OC-192 card to allow multiple 10 Gbps connections per shelf.  The platform’s industry-leading grooming capabilities have also been expanded with a new 70G STS switch fabric that can switch up to 1,344 STS channels to potentially delay or cancel the need for costly DCS port expansions or new DCS system purchases.  This capability also allows carriers to utilize a few high-capacity optical DCS connections instead of thousands of electrical ties to the DCS to improve reliability and eliminate the source of 80% of trouble tickets in a central office.

---

About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702), is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and carrier-class telecommunications solutions for the Service Provider and Cable TV market in North America. Supported by smart innovation and deep-rooted research from Fujitsu Labs, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to deliver fully integrated IT/Telecom solutions for its customers. The company's comprehensive consulting and customer services offer support at any network design, development, deployment and maintenance stage.
For more information, please see: http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

---

Press Contacts