Acterna HST-3000 Now Combines Comprehensive 'Three-in-One' Testing Capabilities for Deployment of HDSL, Copper and T1.

Business Editors

SUPERCOMM 2003

Booth #21547

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2003

Handheld Tester Creates New Opportunities for Cost Savings and Efficiency as Customers Continue Powering the Local Loop

Acterna today announced that customers challenged by installing, provisioning, and troubleshooting HDSL and traditional T1 circuits now have a complete set of copper, T1, and HDSL testing features combined in one single, hand-held instrument -- the popular HST-3000. The new version will be introduced by Acterna today at SuperComm 2003, booth # 21547, in Atlanta.

Acterna's HST-3000 has been a valued instrument to field technicians and service providers for its rugged, modular handheld platform and expansive feature set, exceeding other portable testers on the market. Designed to improve the efficiency of installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting local loop services, the HST-3000, which combines copper and service testing capabilities in a lightweight, battery operated tester, is now able to test HDSL, copper and T1 features in one solution. The HST-3000 is also an Acterna TechSync(TM)-enabled solution, which automates the testing process to reduce circuit failures and improve productivity by ensuring that the processes used to test are consistent thereby reducing the costs associated with installing, troubleshooting and managing network services.

"The HST-3000 is a powerful, easy-to-use tool that lets field technicians save time by avoiding the time-consuming steps of performing separate tests, using separate meters and tools when supporting high-speed local loop technology," said Jerry Gentile, vice president of marketing for Acterna's Telecommunications Field Services unit (TFS). "The HST-3000 is an 'all in one' instrument that tests the copper plant, verifies T1 service and checks HDSL performance statistics during installation. All three of these steps must be covered to successfully deploy HDSL circuits...the HST-3000 empowers technicians with 'three in one' testing capabilities at their fingertips."

Customers also benefit from the HST-3000's platform architecture, which supports various software options and field-swappable service interface modules (SIMs) that can be combined to match crew needs for support of residential and business services. In addition, the HST-3000 offers full text automation, which increases speed and accuracy of HDSL installations.

HST-3000 Addresses Growth Trend of HDSL

Offering transmission speeds up to 1.544 Mbps, demand for HDSL, or high bit-rate digital subscriber line, service is increasing for wideband digital transmission. The family of HDSL technologies (HDSL, HDSL2, and HDSL4) provides several key advantages to service providers over the use of repeatered T1 circuits -- including longer reach, the need for fewer repeaters/doublers and enhanced circuit performance - resulting in cost savings and faster service deployment.

Additional highlights of the new HST-3000 include: qualifying the copper pair for HDSL or T1 with the full array of standard copper measurements including wideband loss and noise, DVOM, TDR, balance, and load coil detection; evaluating the performance of the HDSL circuit using the HST's VT100 option to extract, analyze and store HDSL performance data including margin and attenuation; verifying the T1 service with standard T-BERD BER testing; lowering repeat rates and improving efficiency with automated close out and scripted pass/fail tests; laptop/PC integration via Ethernet and serial connections provide easy results transfer; and rugged weather resistant design ideally suited for field use.

About Acterna

Acterna (ACTRQ.OB) 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. Information about Acterna can be found on the Web at www.acterna.com.