ADC Announces Availability of Soneplex Single Fiber Transmission System; Carriers Can Serve Twice As Many Customers Over Their Existing Fiber Plant.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2000

ADC (Nasdaq:ADCT; www.adc.com) today announced the availability of its WDM Quad Loop Extender (WQLX) module for the Soneplex system, the most widely deployed intelligent local loop transmission platform today. The new WQLX module enhances the versatility of the Soneplex system, which is already a market leader in HDSL and HDSL2 performance.

The WQLX module is ideal for low-density T1-based applications, such as extensions to PCS cell sites and distributions to various floors within a building. By using only a single fiber, carriers can serve twice as many customers over their existing fiber plant. The WQLX delivers an optical 6 Mpbs signal to the customer premises at distances up to 18 miles (18 dB), depending on fiber loss. By simultaneously transmitting and receiving on different wavelengths, WDM technology allows signals from both the central office and remote locations to share the same fiber.

"Carriers are facing an increasing problem of fiber exhaust in the local loop," said Joan Childress, fiber transmission marketing manager for ADC's Broadband Access and Transport Group. "Until fiber-to-the-curb is realized, service providers must find a way to reduce their capital costs and conserve existing fiber. The WQLX represents a solid solution for those applications."

The WQLX will be deployed in the Soneplex Loop Extender chassis, which supports a DS1 network interface and distributes 28 DS1 loop transport signals over fiber and copper. Targeted at RBOCs and CLECs with widely deployed existing fiber infrastructure, the WQLX module is immediately available.

About ADC

ADC Telecommunications, Inc. is a leading global supplier of network equipment, software and integration services for broadband, multiservice networks that deliver data, video and voice communications over telephone, cable television, Internet, broadcast, wireless and enterprise networks. ADC's broadband, multiservice network solutions enable local access, high-speed transmission and software management of communications services from service providers to consumers and businesses over fiber-optic, copper, coaxial and wireless media. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ADC has approximately 14,400 employees around the world and annual sales of $2.1 billion. ADC's stock is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.adc.com.