Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu FLASHWAVE® 7420 DWDM Platform Granted "RUS Technical Acceptance" by Rural Utilities Service

Richardson, TX, January 17, 2005 — Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leading supplier of IT and wireline/wireless networking solutions, today announced that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted “RUS Technical Acceptance" to the Fujitsu FLASHWAVE® 7420 Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) platform. By adding the platform to the RUS “List of Materials for Transmission and Central Office Equipment", the USDA has made it easier for rural communities to create next-generation DWDM networks in support of broadband and other new and advanced services. The FLASHWAVE 7420 platform is sold exclusively by Fujitsu to North American telecommunications carriers through a strategic technology partnership with ADVA Optical Networking.

The RUS provides independent and rural utilities and telecommunications service providers with low-interest financing to assist them in the purchase of new equipment. The financing serves to keep costs down, which can then be passed to consumers, as well as foster competition with services offered by larger regional and national carriers. $8.8 million in broadband community connect grants was recently awarded by the USDA Rural Development office to 16 communities in 10 states. With this award, the FLASHWAVE 7420 platform joins many other Fujitsu platforms on RUS material lists. Products currently on RUS lists include the FLASHWAVE 4500 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), the FLASHWAVE 4300 optical aggregation platform, the FLASHWAVE 4100 optical access platform and the FLASHWAVE 4010 remote SONET extension device. All of these platforms qualify for low-interest financing to aid in deployment in rural areas.

“With both SONET and DWDM platforms on the RUS list of materials, Fujitsu is giving rural service providers a variety of options for reliable, flexible and cost-effective networks," said Bill Erickson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Fujitsu Network Communications. “The advanced DWDM capabilities of the FLASHWAVE 7420 platform will help bring exciting new broadband services to rural communities while keeping costs in control for the carriers who serve them."

The FLASHWAVE 7420 platform gives carriers a competitive edge with support for state-of-the-art wavelength service solutions. Specifically optimized for flexible, cost-effective DWDM networks requiring up to 32 channels, the platform will multiplex, transport and switch high-speed circuits for voice, video, data and storage applications. The carrier-class FLASHWAVE 7420 system can dramatically increase bandwidth and service flexibility, while supporting new revenue-generating opportunities for high-speed broadband services at up to 10 Gbps per channel.

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About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., leveraging Tokyo-based Fujitsu’s unequalled and unique IT and Telecom portfolio, creates and delivers robust wireline and wireless solutions that boost next-generation communications networks in North America. Supported by over 150,000 professionals in more than 100 countries with revenues of $45 billion, Fujitsu helps its customers fuse information and networking technology with commercial value.
For more information, please see: http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

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