Acterna Launches Fiber Characterization Service for Network Operators and Enterprise Customers.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

Acterna (Nasdaq:ACTR) today announced the launch of a new fiber characterization service that combines the company's leading optical network test and management products with the services and expertise of its world-class consulting practice. The Acterna Fiber Characterization Service measures overall fiber quality and enables network operators and enterprises to cost-effectively increase network bandwidth, deliver faster transmission speeds and ensure highly reliable service for their customers.

Acterna's service allows network operators and enterprises to rapidly measure fiber characteristics essential to enhancing network performance without additional spending on new test equipment.

The Acterna Fiber Characterization Service addresses a number of industry trends that are driving demand for a turnkey, outsourced approach to measuring and maintaining the quality of fiber networks, including:

-- Pre-test review of customer test specifications to determine performance
requirements

-- On-site test and measurement

-- Review and analysis of measurement results

-- Network enhancement evaluation and recommendations

-- Optical fiber troubleshooting

-- Post-equipment sale training and mentoring

-- Customized methods and procedures.

"Acterna offers a flexible, outsourced fiber characterization service to help carriers and enterprise customers reduce operating costs while increasing the performance and reliability of their networks," said Kathy Boyd, vice president of Acterna's Global Services and Solutions division. "Acterna is uniquely positioned to offer a service that utilizes Acterna's best-in-class fiber optic test equipment with the expertise of one of the industry's largest and most experienced test and measurement consulting practices."

Leveraging the company's innovative set of optical test and measurement products - including the Acterna Media Test Set (MTSe) and bi-directional Optical Fiber Installation (OFI) Tester - the Acterna Fiber Characterization Service is a complete, end-to-end service featuring the following:

-- Pre-test review of customer test specifications to determine performance
requirements

-- On-site test and measurement

-- Review and analysis of measurement results

-- Network enhancement evaluation and recommendations

-- Optical fiber troubleshooting

-- Post-equipment sale training and mentoring

-- Customized methods and procedures.

In addition to its direct sales and other distribution channels to network operators and enterprises, Acterna will deliver its fiber characterization services through strategic alliances such as Cisco. With this service, Acterna, which has a professional services agreement with Cisco, helps equipment manufacturers avoid re-engineering and reduce post-deployment support as a result of degraded fiber quality.

The Acterna Fiber Characterization Service is available through Acterna Advantage, a value-added portfolio of services, software and solutions that help Acterna customers secure their test equipment investment, ensure optimal system performance, increase workforce knowledge and skills, and automate processes to maximize operational efficiencies.

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.

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